How long can one live with lung cancer?

Written by Gong Chun

Oncology

Updated on September 27, 2024

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The survival period of malignant tumors is a topic of great concern to everyone. The question of how long one can live with lung cancer is very difficult to answer. It should be based on the patient's physical condition and the pathological staging. However, these judgments are only based on a predictive basis and do not determine how long the patient can live. If the patient does not relapse after surgery, is sensitive to radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and shows no signs of recurrence or resistance, then their five-year survival rate is naturally higher. If the patient experiences recurrence and metastasis after surgery, then the five-year survival rate is naturally lower. Therefore, the question of how long a person can live with a malignant tumor cannot be answered generically.

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Written by Gong Chun

Oncology

1min 12sec

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How is lung cancer caused?

The specific causes of lung cancer are not completely clear, but there are some high-risk factors. Research has shown that lung cancer is influenced by a combination of genetic defects and internal and external environmental carcinogens. It is undeniable that long-term heavy smoking is the most important carcinogenic factor for lung cancer, with the amount and duration of smoking being positively correlated with the incidence of lung cancer. Secondly, environmental factors, such as working with asbestos or in mining areas, are also very relevant to the incidence of lung cancer. Thirdly, irregular eating habits, rest, alcohol consumption, indoor combustion, coal smoke, fumes from kitchen cooking, and carcinogenic substances released from indoor decorations and materials are also related. Fourthly, the body's internal immune status, metabolic abnormalities, genetic factors, and chronic lung infections also have a significant impact.

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Written by Gong Chun

Oncology

55sec

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How long can one live with lung cancer?

The survival period of malignant tumors is a topic of great concern to everyone. The question of how long one can live with lung cancer is very difficult to answer. It should be based on the patient's physical condition and the pathological staging. However, these judgments are only based on a predictive basis and do not determine how long the patient can live. If the patient does not relapse after surgery, is sensitive to radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and shows no signs of recurrence or resistance, then their five-year survival rate is naturally higher. If the patient experiences recurrence and metastasis after surgery, then the five-year survival rate is naturally lower. Therefore, the question of how long a person can live with a malignant tumor cannot be answered generically.

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Written by An Yong Peng

Pulmonology

1min 2sec

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Is the appetite good in the early stages of lung cancer?

In the early stages of lung cancer, generally, there is no obvious impact on the appetite. Most early-stage lung cancers do not show clinical symptoms. However, some patients may experience coughs or blood-streaked sputum if the tumor grows along the inner wall of the airway, stimulating the respiratory tract. Nevertheless, early-stage lung cancer typically does not metastasize or spread to the digestive tract. Thus, early-stage lung cancer usually does not affect the patient's appetite, and the patient's appetite generally remains unaffected. However, it is crucial to diagnose early-stage lung cancer because surgical removal at this stage can often achieve good results. Once it progresses to mid or late stages, the outcomes are usually poor, and the survival period is typically short. Therefore, it is advocated that people at high risk for lung cancer undergo regular chest CT screenings to check for early-stage lung cancer.

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Written by Xia Bao Jun

Pulmonology

39sec

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Small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer differences

Small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer are both types of primary bronchogenic carcinoma, differing only in their cellular morphology. They also differ in clinical symptoms and characteristics of metastasis. Small cell lung cancer is more prone to metastasis clinically, including strenuous and distant spread, such as to the brain and liver. The medications used for each are also different; small cell lung cancer typically involves chemotherapy drugs like etoposide and cisplatin, whereas non-small cell lung cancer commonly uses drugs like paclitaxel and platinum-based drugs.

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Written by Li Ying

Pulmonology

1min 16sec

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Is hemoptysis lung cancer?

Coughing up blood is not necessarily lung cancer. Among respiratory diseases, the three most common causes of coughing up blood are, first, bronchiectasis; second, pneumonia and lung abscess; and third, lung cancer. So how can we determine the cause? The best, simplest, and fastest method is to go to the hospital for a lung CT scan as soon as coughing up blood occurs. If the lung CT shows bronchiectasis, then bronchiectasis should be considered; if it shows an infiltrative lesion, then pneumonia should be considered; if it shows a tumor, then lung cancer should be considered at that time. However, there is also a scenario where blood is coughed up, but the lung CT is completely normal. What should be done then? This situation might be due to pharyngitis. Sometimes, severe coughing from pharyngitis can cause bleeding of the mucous membranes in the throat. In this case, there’s no need for excessive worry, as it may be caused by factors involving the throat. Cough gently, and if there’s no blood when coughing lightly, it’s likely not serious. However, if there's still blood in the sputum even when coughing lightly, it is recommended to undergo a bronchoscopy to check for tuberculosis or cancer in the bronchi.