Lung cancer survival rate

Every year more people die together in the United States from lung cancer than breast, prostate and colon cancer. In 2005 there were 159 217 reported deaths from lung cancer in the United States. While lung cancer worldwide prevalence is lower than in the U.S. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the world. About 1.3 million people die from the disease each year.
The high mortality rate associated with lung cancer are partly due to the fact that it is very difficult to treat. For this reason, lung cancer survival rate is rather low. Below is an overview of cancer survival by time, amount of tumor progression and the type of lung cancer. 

Total Lung Cancer Survival Stats
The survival rates for lung cancer, depending on the type of cancer diagnosed each diagnosed and how early in the progression of the disease. Estimated overall survival rate for all patients with lung cancer (regardless of the type of cancer and cancer stage) are estimated:

    15 percent survival rate five years after diagnosis
    5 per cent survival rate 10 years after diagnosis


By the tumor stage at diagnosis, survival rates are estimated at:

    70 to 80 percent for stage 0 patients
    50 percent for stage I patients
    30 percent for stage II patients
    15 percent for patients with stage III
    Less than 2 percent for Stage IV patients

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Small Cell Lung Cancer vs.
In general, patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) diagnosed with a better prognosis than those with the more aggressive small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) is diagnosed. NSCLC accounts for about 85 percent of all lung cancer cases. The 5-year survival rates for NSCLC are estimated:

    Stage 1A patients: 49 percent
    Level 1B patients: 45 percent `
    Stage IIA patients: 30 percent
    Stage IIB patients: 31 percent
    Stage IIIA patients: 14 percent
    Stage IIIB patients: five percent (median survival time of 13 months)
    Stage IV cancer patients: 1 percent (median survival time of eight months)


In comparison, the overall 5-year survival rate for patients with small cell lung cancer is diagnosed estimated at around six percent. With treatment, the median survival time for patients with SCLC is given six to 12 months. Patients in the former tend to be diagnosed with limited stage have a better prognosis. 

Lung Cancer Survival: Worldwide United States vs. Facts
Lung cancer patients in the United States have longer median survival than patients in other countries. The 5-year survival rate in Europe is only about 8 percent. The estimated survival rate for the whole world is also estimated somewhere around eight percent.
Compensation information for people with lung cancer in our FREE Lung Cancer Information Packet or call toll free 1-800-998-9729 diagnosed.