Lung cancer prognosis

Through the Diagnosis cancer many patients are confronted with the question of life and survival. The question “how much longer do I have?” Burns most of those affected very quickly under the nails, because with the diagnosis “cancer” one is still certain to this day death connects. Nowadays only a few types of cancer mean certain non-survival.

The diagnosis tumor means first of all one Tissue formation. This can benign (= benign) or vicious (= malignant) and in principle any type of cell in the human body can degenerate. Benign tumors are not counted among the cancers. What is colloquially referred to as "cancer" are the malignant tumors. As Carcinomas one denotes tumors that are caused by the uppermost cell layer run out of a fabric.

Of the Lung cancer is to this day a very serious tumor disease. 25% of all diagnosed tumors can be found in the lung. In men, lung cancer is the one most common cause of death and the forecast is commonly called bad designated. To 15 years still alive 15% of patients diagnosed with lung cancer. Even if all of this sounds very harsh, the prognosis for lung cancer cannot simply be expressed as a number. There are many factors that are responsible for that Probability of survival play a role and make it impossible to make precise statements for everyone concerned. Precisely for this reason, those affected should not be discouraged by numbers, as these usually represent average values ​​and cannot therefore be directly transferred to their own individual course.

By far the most important factor in increasing the likelihood of survival is that early detection and Disease prevention (= Prevention). The most important measure to prevent lung cancer is that Do not smoke, there 85% of lung cancer cases on that Smoke are due. It is important for early detection warning sign (e.g. Cough for several weeks, sudden aggravation of Smoker's cough or unwanted weight loss etc.) and to consult a doctor at an early stage to clarify these possible signs.

If a diagnosis of lung cancer is made, the following points can provide approximate estimates of the likelihood of survival.

Type of tumor

The lungs are made up of different types of cells, each of which has its own task, and which together form the functional lung. A tumor can develop from any of these cell types. There are 4 types of tumors in the lungs:

• Gland cell tumors (= adenocarcinomas)
• Cover cell tumors (= squamous cell carcinoma; squamous epithelium is the name of the uppermost lining cell layer)
• Oat cell tumors (originating from hormone-releasing cells) and
• large cell carcinomas. The latter cannot be assigned to an exact cell type as the tumor origin.

These individual types are summarized in two groups that are used as standard for the classification in the clinics. A distinction is made here between small-cell lung carcinomas (oat cell carcinomas; 15% of all cases) and non-small-cell lung carcinomas (85% of all cases). This group includes the glandular cell carcinoma, cover cell carcinoma and large cell carcinoma (also called large cell carcinoma). In the case of non-small cell tumors, the survival rate is generally higher than in the case of small cell tumors.

At this point we would like to refer you to our main page on squamous cell carcinoma of the lung. You will find further important information on this at: Squamous cell carcinoma of the lungs

Tumor stage and spread

Tumors tend to spread and develop further Daughter tumors (= Metastases). The scattering happens in the surrounding Lymph nodes or about that blood in distant organs. In people with lung cancer, existing daughter tumors are mainly found in the surrounding lymph nodes of the chest and in liver, brain, Adrenal glands and skeleton, here especially in the Spine.

On the basis of the existing or non-existing infestation, various Staging (= Staging), all of which have a different prognosis and are also treated differently.

Both small cell lung cancer a distinction is made 2 stages:

• limited (= limited) and
• unlimited / extended (= unlimited) stage (= disease).

Because the tumor grows faster and more aggressively than a non-small cell lung tumor, this type of lung cancer has the worse prognosis. He's growing a lot fastwhich makes early detection difficult. Furthermore, the prognosis is worsened by an early spread with the formation of daughter tumors (= metastases). However, if the tumor is discovered in a limited stage, a chemotherapy in 5-10% bring healing of cases. Often these daughter tumors form before the lung tumor is discovered. For this reason, when the diagnosis is made, many tumors are often outside the limited stage and no longer treatable with the aim of healing. Possible therapies can only be aimed at Life extension and conservation of life quality be applied.

The Non-small cell lung tumors usually grow slower and later develop daughter tumors (= metastases). Your prognosis is therefore significantly better than that of small cell lung tumors. The various stages are illustrated by 3 parameters distinguished and determined. The associated classification is the so-called TNM classification. Based on it, there are statements about the prognosis and it also determines the therapy.

• T means the size and extent of the tumor in the lungs. Numbers from T1 (Tumor <3cm) to T4 (Tumor with infiltration of other surrounding structures).
• N quantifies the extent to the surrounding area Lymph nodes. N0 (no lymph nodes involved) to N3 (various lymph node areas in the chest affected).
• The M. provides information about the presence of Distant metastases (mainly brain, liver, adrenal glands, skeleton). Be here M0 (no distant metastases) and M1 (Distant metastases present) differentiated.

Generally one applies deterioration the prognosis as the tumor progresses, i.e. when the numerical value of the TNM classification increases. In the case of a tumor without lymph node involvement and distant metastasis (T0M0N0), the 5 year survival rate With 60% specified. If the tumor continues to grow (T2N0M0) the chance of survival decreases 40% to 5 years. As soon as an infected lymph node appears on the same side as the lung tumor (T1 / 2N1M0), this chance decreases 20%.

Age and gender

The Age and gender as well as general physical and psychological constitution of the affected person also play a role in the probability of survival. Women have a higher survival rate after 5 years than Men. Patients in poor general physical condition are often unable to derive any positive effects from operations and therapies, as their side effects and consequences do not outweigh the benefits. For example, there are many types of Chemotherapy or radiation therapy for patients with Heart disease not suitable. These damage an already impaired one heart additionally to a critical extent, so that this can fail. So the therapy itself works life shortening rather than increasing the patient's chance of survival. However, younger patients and patients with less pre-stressing underlying diseases can compensate for such procedures and their prognosis is much better as a result.

Smoke

One of the other factors independent forecast factor is this Smoking behavior of those affected. Cigarette smoking is for 85% responsible for lung cancer cases. Studies have shown that those affected continue to smoke decreased likelihood of survival have as sufferers who are abstinent.