While it's possible for lung cancer to spread virtually anywhere, it most commonly metastasizes in the liver, brain, bones or adrenal glands.
Small Cell Lung Cancer
It is a fast-growing cancer that spreads much more quickly than other types of lung cancer. There are two different types of small cell lung cancer: Small cell carcinoma (oat cell cancer; most small cell lung cancers are of the oat cell type)
A 2018 study found that the median doubling time varies by type of NSCLC: Adenocarcinomas had a median doubling time of 261 days. Squamous cell carcinomas had a median doubling time of 70 days. Other lung cancers, which included large cell carcinomas and SCLC, also had a median doubling time of 70 days.
General symptoms
a change in a cough you have had for a long time. breathlessness. unexplained weight loss. ongoing chest infections.
Symptoms that are common towards the end of life in lung cancer include pain, dyspnoea, delirium and respiratory secretions. Such symptoms need to be anticipated and addressed promptly with appropriate medications and explanations to the patient and family.
SCLC is the most aggressive form of lung cancer. It usually starts in the breathing tubes (bronchi) in the center of the chest. Although the cancer cells are small, they grow very quickly and create large tumors.
Large-cell (undifferentiated) carcinoma.
It tends to grow and spread quickly, so it can be harder to treat than the other types.
The 5-year survival rate for men is 18%. The 5-year survival rate for women is 25%. The 5-year survival rate for NSCLC is 26%, compared to 7% for small cell lung cancer. However, it is important to note that survival rates depend on several factors, including the subtype of lung cancer and the stage of disease.
Brain metastases occur in stage 4 lung cancer. Once NSCLC is this advanced, the prognosis is poor, with life expectancy usually being under a year.
Persistent cough and shortness of breath. Fluid build-up around lungs. Severe fatigue. Loss of appetite and nausea.
Lung cancer is an aggressive form of cancer that spreads rapidly. Survival rates are improving but remain low, particularly for SCLC. Early diagnosis and treatment improve a person's chances of living for 5 years or longer with lung cancer.
Rapid growing, with a doubling time of less than 183 days: 15.8% Typical, with a doubling time of 183 to 365 days: 36.5% Slow growing, with a doubling time of over 365 days: 47.6%
Lung cancer is inoperable when it is not possible to remove all of the lung cancer with surgery. This may be because it has spread outside of the lungs, the location and size of the tumor makes surgery risky, or the patient is not healthy enough for surgery.
Survival for all stages of lung cancer
around 40 out of every 100 people (around 40%) survive their cancer for 1 year or more. around 15 out of every 100 people (around 15%) will survive their cancer for 5 years or more. 10 out of every 100 people (10%) will survive their cancer for 10 years or more.
More than half of people with lung cancer die within one year of being diagnosed.
Respiratory failure is the immediate cause of mortality in about 38% of lung cancer deaths. 1 But different factors lead to a lack of oxygen including tumor burden, pneumonia, or hemorrhage. Often, more than one condition contributes to death.
Because stage 0 NSCLC is limited to the lining layer of the airways and has not invaded deeper into the lung tissue or other areas, it is usually curable by surgery alone. No chemotherapy or radiation therapy is needed.
Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)
These cancers are the most aggressive form of lung cancer and usually affect smokers. SCLC spreads rapidly, often before people notice symptoms. The cancer usually starts in the central airways of the lungs (bronchi).
The following are signs and symptoms that suggest a person with cancer may be entering the final weeks of life: Worsening weakness and exhaustion. A need to sleep much of the time, often spending most of the day in bed or resting. Weight loss and muscle thinning or loss.
Palliative care
If lung cancer cannot be cured and you have a lot of troubling symptoms, your GP and specialist team can give you support and pain relief. This is called palliative care. Support is also available for your family and friends.
Q: How does a doctor determine a patient's prognosis? Dr. Byock: Doctors typically estimate a patient's likelihood of being cured, their extent of functional recovery, and their life expectancy by looking at studies of groups of people with the same or similar diagnosis.
If lung cancer spreads to other parts of the body, it may cause: Bone pain. Arm or leg weakness or numbness.
63 percent for cases when the disease is limited to the lungs. 35 percent if the lung cancer has reached nearby organs or lymph nodes. 7 percent if it has spread to distant organs such as the liver.