Understanding Prognosis for Stage 4 Lung Cancer: Causes & Outlook

The American Cancer Society estimated that there would be 159,000 deaths from lung cancer in 2009, a figure that translates to 29 percent of all cancer-related deaths. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in America, and a patient's prognosis is greatly affected by the stage during which the cancer is found.

Definition

• A tumor is a group of cells that grow at an uncontrolled rate and can become malignant. The presence of a tumor on the interior or exterior of the lungs defines lung cancer.

Characteristics

• Doctors classify cancer by stages, which are defined by tumor size and the spread of cancer cells. Stage 4 lung cancer is the most advanced stage and receives its classification when cancer cells have spread to other organs, such as the brain, pancreas or colon.

Prognosis

• After the fifth anniversary of their diagnosis, 2 percent of those who were diagnosed during Stage 4 of lung cancer were still alive.

Significance

• The survival rates for Stage 4 lung cancer are obtained through averages observed during clinical studies. A person's actual life expectancy may differ from the statistics based upon other factors, such as age, sex, general health, tumor characteristics and location of the cancer's spread.

Considerations

• Only a doctor can accurately determine a person's individual prognosis. Individuals with Stage 4 lung cancer should consult an oncologist, which is a cancer specialist in the medical field.