Stage 4 NSCLC what is average life expectancy after diagnosis? - 1254761

dexter712
Posts:4

65 yr old father diagnosed 8 months ago with stage 4 NSCLC. I know it's in lymph nodes. He is no longer doing chemo treatments. Stopped about 1 month ago because the cancer had spread and tumors were growing. Only on a once a week clinical trial now and body seems to accept it. Several blood clots, on oxygen SOB and coughing. what is the average life expectancy with stage 4? Does each new chemo treatment or clinical trial extend his life more?

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Reply # - March 14, 2013, 04:49 PM

Dr West
Posts: 4735

The median survival, which is the time at which half of patients in a group have died, is about 8-10 months from the start of first treatment. Among those who go on to second line chemotherapy, the median survival is about 6-7 months, and for third line treatment, it's about 4 months.

There isn't evidence that treating beyond the first couple of lines of treatment prolongs survival, and if a person is too debilitated, there's a very real chance that more treatment may shorten rather than prolong survival.

It's important to recognize that while the numbers are relevant for a big group of patients, they don't speak to how an individual patient will do. Some will do far better than the general numbers, and others will do worse.

Good luck.

-Dr. West

Reply # - March 15, 2013, 01:19 PM

follansbee
Posts: 44

Hi, dexter. I would be interested in learning what clinical trial your father is on. His condition sounds similar to my husband's at this point. My husband's oncologist says that he won't be able to tolerate second line chemo, and we are casting around to see if there are any options when there is progression. As you can see from my signature information, he is on the good side of the median survival time. We are thankful for that. I sincerely hope that your father will fare as well.

follansbee

Reply # - March 15, 2013, 01:23 PM

follansbee
Posts: 44

Hi again, dexter. I guess you can't see my signature. It must have gotten lost in cyberspace. He was dignosed almost two years ago, had carbo/Alimta/Avastin, four rounds, then went on Alimta/Avastin maintenance. No progression yet, but he has COPD and recurrent Pseudomonas infections. He had been on oxygen for the last couple of weeks due to SOB.

follansbee

Reply # - March 15, 2013, 02:38 PM

catdander
Posts:

Hello dexter and Follansbee. I know Follansbee you have read this but want to make sure dexter has read through some of our informative blog posts. This first one is about 2nd line treatment. I understand your father isn't likely able to withstand more chemo but has he been offered or has tarceva been discussed... http://cancergrace.org/lung/2010/10/04/lung-cancer-faq-2nd-line-nsclc-o… from our FAQ and this is what I consider one of the most important steps in late stage cancer care and hope beyond hope everyone works to get the timing right on it, http://cancergrace.org/cancer-treatments/2012/07/26/what-is-palliative-…

Follansbee you may need to reenter your signature. When you make changes in your profile the signature is erased so it is a good idea to have the signature copied somewhere safe including a word doc and your "bio" . To reattach it hopefully you can copy and paste it.
In any event know the sig is different than the bio. Access your sig in your "forum profile" by clicking on your gorgeous avatar or the "Forum Profile" link just above the first grey forum thread stripe on any page. Don't forget to click submit and ignore the email addi warning. Here's Mark's fab detailed instructions, http://cancergrace.org/topic/grace-site-tips-profile-bio-forum-signature

Reply # - March 16, 2013, 06:26 AM

follansbee
Posts: 44

Catdander, I got my signature back! Glad I waited until today to try it. I couldn't do it with IE9, and had to switch to Google Chrome. Edit Forum Signature didn't appear in IE9, no matter where I tried. Computers are very sneaky things!

Dexter, I would be interested in learning about the clinical trial your father is on.

follansbee

Reply # - March 21, 2013, 05:01 AM

gn21
Posts: 144

Another hopefully encouraging story. I was diagnosed stage 4 adeno over 4 years ago. On my 5th line of treatment, minimal side effects from my current chemo, living normally (whatever that means!), and planning yet another overseas holiday.

Holding my nerve against the time when it all goes pear shaped!

Statistics are a story, but not mine. Averages need both ends of the data spectrum, and some of us are lucky enough to be on the right hand side of the bell curve.

Gail

Reply # - April 30, 2013, 08:14 AM

dexter712
Posts: 4

It has been almost 10 months since diagnosis with a little bit of improvement with the clinical trial that started in February. Is it a normal feeling for the family to be full of anxiety with waiting for what happens next?

Reply # - April 30, 2013, 08:36 AM

JimC
Posts: 2753

Absolutely...uncertainty is one of the most difficult aspects of a cancer diagnosis. We have all been through that, and I wish you whatever amount of calmness you can have. Good thoughts are with you from your GRACE family.

JimC
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Reply # - May 1, 2013, 03:09 PM

dexter712
Posts: 4

So the scan showed that his tumors have not gotten any bigger and some did shrink. No longer needs the oxygen unless doing something really strenuos. Still has some of the blood clots. I can't remember the name of the trial right now but I do know the main side effect could be death. Someone sits with him during treatments with a defibrillator. Is that normal? I don't know what to think.

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