NSCLC - new life expectancy stats

By debs322
Posted August 22, 2008 at 9:24 pm · 42 replies
In Non-small cell lung cancer - Stage IV

My husband, age 54, has Stage IV, NSCLC -adenocarcinoma. Upper left lobe, mets to left adrenal gland and right lymph node in neck (which was removed.) He has had 2 of 6 chemo treatments of carbo/taxol/avastin. He feels great and looks good.

I had read a post where patients/family members were sending in their stage IV survival stats, but these had been submitted in 2005. It was extremely interestng and encouraging reading.

It seems that now that we are in 2008, survival rates may be increasing and I would be interested in reading these stories. Even if you post just the date diagnosed, type of lung cancer and mets, and how you are doing (or if a family member can tell us when passed.)

Thank you for sharing.
God Bless you and keep you healthy.

42 replies

Oldest first
Newest first

By ohmandy
Posted August 22, 2008 at 11:11 pm

Hi Deb,

I unfortunately don't have good news for you. My mom was diagnosed in February 2008 with Stage IV adenocarcinoma with mets to spine and ribs. After 3 rounds of chemo and a ton of radiation, it didn't help. She passed away on July 3, 2008.

Good luck with your research. It sounds like your husband is handling the chemo well. I wish you all the best on your (hopefully very long) journey.

Amanda

By susie2
Posted August 22, 2008 at 11:32 pm

Hi Deb,
Everyone is different and there are some great people on here with stage 1V that are going on 3, 5, 8 years. I have been battling stage 1V for over 2 years now and apart from the fatigue i feel great.
I feel a cure is just round the corner, just keep your husbands immune up and tell him to be positive and keep strong
Susie

By ericnilson
Posted August 23, 2008 at 12:47 am

My wife was dx July 2007 with has Stage III, NSCLC -adenocarcinoma. One tumor upper right lobe, and spread to chest lymph nodes outside of lung. After 4 cylces of taxol, carboplatin and gemzar, cancer had spread to backbone. Now Stage 4. Started Tarceva last January. Mets to backbone now gone, tumor SUV level down. She is doing OK most of the time now.

By Tina1967
Posted August 23, 2008 at 1:05 am

My husband was diagnosed Sept 5, 2007. Stage IIIB - squamous cell with mets to supraclavical lymph nodes & mediasteinum. November - Stage IV - mets to the abdomen shows combo squamous & adencarcinoma. Chemo - Cisplatin/Etoposide, Carbo/Taxol & Carbo/ Gemzar. He is weak & frail but we still make our doctors appointment, go to the movie once a week & even enjoy lunch out to eat.

By Pat8
Posted August 23, 2008 at 8:35 am

I was diagnosed in August 2006 with NSCLC Stage IV adenocarcinoma - one tumor in each lung and in lymph node. Chemotheraphy was my only option. I've been on 5 different chemo drugs and am now on a clinical trial at Yale which has been successful. I have gained weight over the past two years (instead of losing it) and outside of a few side effects, I feel good. Cancer has not changed my lifestyle but it certainly has changed my outlook and priorities. I was told when I was diagnosed back in 2006 to take it 6 months at a time Well, now I'm starting my 3rd year as a cancer survivor and hope for many more! My advice would be to stay positive and take joy in the little things in life that really matter.
Always with hope -- Pat J.

By skeptic
Posted August 23, 2008 at 9:23 am

I was diag Stave IV nsclc, primary tumor about the size of my fist in my right lung with several smaller tumors. That was in Sept 07. I went through 43 radiation treatments and 4 month of concurrent chemo. Both ended in Nov and Dec 07.
I have had follow up CT and PET and each continue to show NED (no evidence of disease). My strength and endurance continue to come back and so at this time I am cancer free.
Everyone reacts differently to chemo and or radiation and things such as other health complication and over all health at the time of diag. will influence the patients outcome. While I too am a person who looks at the stats I realise my personal experience really scewed those stats because my outcome has been remarkable compared to a larger number of patients with simular diag.
Just focus on you and making your own effort to change some of those numbers!! Dr.s love stubborn patients that have the fight and the will power to go the distance.
Good luck. YOU CAN DO THIS

By beachgoers5
Posted August 23, 2008 at 9:36 am

Mom is stage IV squamous and was dx 15 mo ago.

By RMSSyr
Posted August 23, 2008 at 9:47 am

I was DX in March 08. I have completed 6 rounds of chemo and two weeks ago the doctor said NED. Stay positive.

By robinwd
Posted August 23, 2008 at 10:14 am

I was dx. Limited stage SCLC Apr. '05. Inoperable. 30 rads and 10 cycles of chemo...NED!!! So three yrs. 4 mos. and counting.

By sfuller1958
Posted August 23, 2008 at 10:22 am

I was diagnosed StageIV NSCLC in Jan 2007, with 2 mets to the brain; only cancer found in the lungs were 3 lymph nodes. After a crainotomy, chemo (taxol/carboplatin) & radiation to the nodes I was pronounced NED in August 2007. I have just had my 1 year anniversary w/out any treatment at all, and my scans as of 3 weeks ago showed no evidence of disease!

By Lilyjackie
Posted August 23, 2008 at 11:09 am

Stage III b, NSCLC -adenocarcinoma. 3 of 5 lymph were positive.
That was 6 years ago July 2nd.
I'm doing great

By wendyvg
Posted August 23, 2008 at 12:55 pm

Diagnosed IIIB - December/06. Still here - still fighting - still having a good time!

By stage4survivor
Posted August 23, 2008 at 1:19 pm

Stage4 adenocarcinoma lung to brain 11/30/99, NED since 11/2000

Aside from being destroyed by microsoft I'm doing great

G

By Charlene1
Posted August 23, 2008 at 3:04 pm

One year ago today, I was diagnosed Stage IV-adenocarcinoma and given one year to live (one tumor in left lobe, 2 mets to liver). We will be going to San Francisco tonight to celebrate. I'm doing very well, still play tennis, gardening (lots of tomatoes now) and exercise. Finished 6 rounds of chemo (carboplatin/taxol/avastin) in January and since February have been on Tarceva. Feeling great. I have a two "second opinion" doctors that I'm also talking to when I need it. This site is incredibly helpful and useful. Good luck to your husband. I'm 65.
Hugs, Charlene

By Vickie13
Posted August 23, 2008 at 3:11 pm

Husband was dx in Jan. 2007 Stage IIIb. Has completed two different rounds of chemo. Just had new CT Scan and it's growing again but no new mets. Fatigue is worst side effect along with shortness of breath (has COPD too). Not looking forward to new round of chemo but know we still have lots of options left!

By chuckmerry
Posted August 23, 2008 at 4:54 pm

How is John Atkinson doing, and how are people tolerating the Tarceva...my wife just finished three months (six cycles) of avastin, gembzar, and alimta...now ready to start Tarceva

By tkane
Posted August 23, 2008 at 7:25 pm

I was diagnosed March '07 with NSCLC- adenocarcinoma. I was 53 years old. The lung cancer was in both lungs and throughout my bones from head to toe. I was on Tarceva for 11 months which took care of about 90% of the cancer. I am just finishing up chemo with Carbo/Taxol/Avastin. My last round is 9/8/08. My latest scan show that my primary tumor has shrunk from about 6cm in April to just over 1 cm.
I still work and am quite active.
Best wishes to your husband.

By marthamarie2
Posted August 24, 2008 at 12:07 am

In MAR05 I was diagnosed with non-resectable Stage IV NSCLC adenocarcinoma which later metastasized to my spine. I have been on Tarceva since DEC05 and seem to be holding my own.

By meadowbreeze
Posted August 24, 2008 at 5:32 am

Hi Tina,
I would like to ask you a question. How was your husband on Gemzar/Carbo? I am currently on that cocktail and doing okay except for the white and red cells too low. I do find myself sleeping alot and of course being fatigued.

Can you share his symptoms and how he handled the Gemzar/Carbo?

I really would apprecite it.

You can send it to my email address.
Meadowbreeze1355@aol.com
Subject line Gemzar/Carbo LCA. I don't usually open someones name that I don't know.

Thank you so much
God Bless,
Linda

By ekim66
Posted August 24, 2008 at 12:20 pm

I was diagnosed with NSCLC on May 13, 2005. I was never a smoker and diagnosed with cancer in both lungs. I started immediately on chemotherapy--my only option. I had IV Chemo every Friday. After 4 weeks of Gemzar and Taxol I had a CT-scan which showed little improvement. My oncologist switched me to a regimen of Taxotere and I completed 12 more weeks of chemotherapy. October 2005 after my 16th treatment I was very weak and hospitalized with pneumonia. I was released after 10 days and started on Tarceva in October 2005. I have been on 150mg of Tarceva every day since then. My lung cancer is not gone nor is it in remission, but I feel fantastic and I am thankful that Tarceva has given me back my life. I live life everyday and have a regular routine of living. I basically have no limits. My next 6 month CT-Scan and check up is in September 2008.
In 2007along with three other lung cancer survivors and family members we started our 1st Lung Run/Walk in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. We will have our 2nd Lung Run/Walk on Sept. 13, 2008 at Lake Calhoun. Our goal is to raise funds for lung cancer research. You may find more information at www.abreathofhope.org.
Mike Corcoran

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