What is the Life expectancy for Stage 4 Lung Cancer?

I am sorry to hear about your sister.

I wish you and your family the best. As to time, well I have found there is little or no certainity. It is best to do what you can and accept each day as a blessing.

Much harder to do with emotional pain and physical pain and worry.

But still it is the only answer I have, acceptance.

@sujenk7422 My heart goes out to you and your family. This is what I can tell you only from personal experience. Like your sister, my father was diagnosed with non-smoker’s lung cancer 21 years ago. The doctor said that it was un-treatable and to expect to live ~6 months. The fact that your sister is being offered chemo and radiation is a sign that they feel that there is a chance of beating the cancer.

When my sister was diagnosed with Stage 4 non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (over 12 years ago), the doctors’ prognosis was not good, to put it lightly. What our sister told us was, “Don’t put me in the grave yet. I’m going to fight this all the way.” And that she did. Five years of chemo, radiation and a stem cell transplant, plus her desire to live. She never missed a day of teaching, attended one daughter’s wedding and her second daughter’s graduation from college.

The bottom line is that no one can answer your question; not even the doctors. An estimate may be given, but every case is different. Please take my sister’s advice. Don’t start mourning the loss now. Help her find the will to fight it to the best of her ability. If and when she is ready to give up the battle, then support her on her terms.

Please keep us posted. It may not seem like much, but we can provide some emotional support as you go through this.

I’m so sorry for your sister’s illness. I had a very dear uncle, a lifetime smoker, who contracted lung cancer and was given less than a year. He wound up living five more—in fact, he outlived his brother, my dad, who was in far better health.

I was pretty young at the same and never knew what stage my uncle was in (he lived in another state), but I do recall what an physically and mentally alive person he was and have always thought that had a lot to do with his beating the prognosis.

I will include you in my prayers tomorrow.

The news doesn’t get much worse than stage 4 but there are rare instances when someone fights and beats it. This is a tough battle. I wish the best for you and your family.

I feel for you the situation your family is in.
We are all statistics in one form or another. Having had prostate cancer I know the question you’re asking and will give you the straight statistics. The answer will be rough, I’m sorry. Understand up front that your sister’s situation might be different. Don’t read any further if you do not accept that disclaimer.
NY State published numbers as part of a study to determine the cost of LC and the tax levy that should be placed on cigarettes to offset the expenses. Here are approximate values.
One non-smoker in 4000 will be diagnosed with lung cancer, LC. (One smoker in 150 will be diagnosed with LC). Since LC does not show itself until rather late in the process 50% of all patients will not survive more than a year after diagnosis. In the US, average medical expenses for that year will be more than $150,000.

There are exceptions to the rule and it is possible she found it early and will respond to treatment. To help better the odds, control the things you can control. Eat right, exercise, improve air quality in the home. This needs to be a family effort.
I wish you all well.

My sister goes back to the doctor Wednsday to discuss treatments. She’s pretty sick now, so I don’t know when they can begin them. She and I are thousands of miles apart, but I’m flying to her in a few weeks to help her all I can. I can’t stand the idea of losing her. Thank you all for your kind words. Keep her in your prayers…

@sujenk7422 Hope for the best but prepare for the worst. Every day is a bonus so make each one count.

My sister was in great health before the diagnosis. She was in the Iron Girls Triathalon, she biked daily, worked out at the gym daily, never smoked or drank excessively, and ate well and is married to the same guy 34 years. Having LC seems like a slap in the face but she’s a fighter. I only pray that she doesn’t fight through the Hell of Chemo and Radiation only to lose her life anyway. I’m so devastated! I’m in a Master’s Program and find it so hard to even think about anything but my sweet sister.

As you probably know, there’s no Stage V.

Non-smoker’s cancer seems to be much more prevalent among women than men, and it often hits healthy, middle-aged women. A long-term friend of mine passed away, just last week, from the same illness. She’d fought very hard, but the disease continued to run its course. She finally stopped all treatment, let herself feel well again, and died peacefully, at home and in her own bed.

I so wish that I had more encouraging words for you. Sadly, this is an unfair disease with a poor prognosis.

My sister had her 1st Chemo treatment yesterday and she said that when the nurse came in to start the treatment she asked if they could have a prayer first! How awesome! My sister said that she felt great after her treatment. I thought that chemo makes someone really sick? I’m so thankful it didn’t do this to her. She has another treatment in 3 wks, she’s scheduled for 6 rounds of chemo. Is it common for chemo to be not so bad at first, but after several treatments cause sickness and hair loss?

Thank you for the update.

What chemotherapy does is “attack” fast-growing cells. Since it doesn’t specifically target the cancer cells, it can also impact other fast-growing cells, such as hair follicles. Hair loss and the feeling sick rarely happen immediately after the first treatment. Often it takes a second or more before these occur.

Here is some information on hair loss from chemotherapy. It includes some good tips on preparing for hair loss.

When my sister started losing her hair, she had a wig made. She hated that thing; it made her sensitive scalp itch. The only time she wore it was to attend church because my mother insisted. She ended up having her hair shaved off so as to not have to deal with losing bits all over the place. She still looked stunning…sort of like Sinead O’Connor.

Two of the more troubling side effects of chemo for my sister were constantly being cold and losing her sense of taste. She found wearing silk t-shirts and long johns, as well as polar fleece hats, were soft and helped keep her warm. With food, she said that everything tasted like wet cardboard…she just had to force herself to eat.

It may end up not being so bad for your sister. It would be wise of her, and you as well, to read up on what to expect with chemotherapy treatments. I also recommend that she asks questions and takes notes while meeting with the doctors.

Please keep us posted.

I work very closely with cancer patients in a prestigious hospital in NYC. Life expectancy varies from patient to patient but according do Dr. Ross’s studies you probably have less than ONE year to live.

My sister is on a target medication – Tarceva – because the cancer cell is a special mutation through proteins. This medication is to be able to turn this from terminal into chronic. We followed up with a specialist/researcher from Mayo Clinic behind the development of the new target medication and he said that she has a really good chance of living over 5 years. New medications and breakthroughs are coming to light, so I’ll keep the faith.

So glad to hear that!! Miraculous news!

Thanks for all your concerns! I purchased an iPad so my sister and I can face time each other and it will almost be like our being together! I’ll keep her progress updated! Thanks again, everyone!

Thank you so much for the update. I’ve been thinking about you and your sister and wondering how both of you are holding up. The iPad gift was a brilliant idea.

My sister just had an another pet scan and follow-up with her oncologist. The scan could not even LOCATE the tumor in my sister’s lung, only a small fissure, and all the cells are gone throughout her body! She went to a healing service at a friend’s church and had ‘hands laid on her’ the Sunday before the Pet scan. She said that she felt differently after that healing service! The doctors say that another 3 months of Tarceva and her cancer will be completely resolved! Such a miracle! I pray that she continues to heal and free herself from this horrible disease! Thanks everyone for the concern and advice, but I think God really is in control of this situation!

@sujenk7422 That’s fabulous news, and I’m so happy for you, your sister, and the rest of your family.

That is great news no matter how the healing was achieved!