Small Cell Lung Cancer Life Expectancy

Approximately 15 percent of all the people diagnosed with lung cancer suffer from small cell lung cancer. Interestingly, the disease is much more common in males than females. Even though, it constitutes only 15 percent of the total lung cancer cases, its aggressive nature and tendency to spread to other parts of the body, makes it one of the most dreaded diseases today. In fact, a look at the small cell lung cancer survival rates is enough for a layman to understand how serious this condition can be. Before we move on to small cell lung cancer life expectancy, let's take a brief look at the ailment.

Small Cell Lung Cancer Overview

Small cell lung cancer is a type of cancer, typically characterized by the development of cancerous cells in the tissues in the central area of the lungs. Lung cancer is basically divided into two types - small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. Small cell lung cancer is further categorized into two types on the basis of the type of cancerous cells and their appearance under a microscope:

• Small cell carcinoma
• Combined small cell carcinoma

One of the major causes of small cell lung cancer is smoking. Both active and passive smokers are vulnerable to this disease. Symptoms of small cell lung cancer include cough, difficulty in breathing, sudden weight loss, chest pain, and swelling of the face. Physical examination, lung biopsy or CT scan are useful in small lung cancer diagnosis. Treatment options on the other hand, include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Small Cell Lung Cancer Life Expectancy

The life expectancy in case of small cell lung cancer by and large depends on the treatment that the person is subjected to. In order to facilitate proper treatment, the medical fraternity has divided the ailment in two stages

• Limited stage - Cancerous cells affecting only one lung and lymph nodes on the same side
• Extensive stage - The malignant cells spreading to both the lungs and lymph nodes extend even further to other organs

In case of extensive stage small cell lung cancer, life expectancy is approximately 1 year i.e. 12 months. However, if the patient undergoes radiation therapy treatment, the life expectancy may increase to 20 months, while a combination of thermal ablation and radiation therapy can increase it to 42 months.

5-year Relative Survival Rate for Small Cell Lung Cancer
Small cell lung cancer survival rates also depend on which stage the cancer was detected. (See lung cancer survival rate.) The term 5 year relative survival rate refers to the percentage of people who live for 5 years or more after the disease is diagnosed.

Stage	Survival Rates (%)
I	31
II	19
III	08
IV	02

Thus, the life expectancy of people suffering from small cell life cancer varies with age, with stage 4 small cell lung cancer life expectancy with only 2 percent chances of survival.

Treatment With Radiation Therapy

Years	Survival Rates (%)
One Year	57
Two Year	36
Three Year	21

Treatment With Thermal Ablation and Radiation Therapy

Years	Survival Rates (%)
One Year	87
Two Year	70
Three Year	57

Even though it is possible to increase small cell lung cancer life expectancy through surgical treatment, most of the patients don't qualify for surgery owing to late diagnosis, age or some underlying medical condition.

On an average, small cell lung cancer life expectancy is only 6 percent. If proper cancer treatment is provided, the life expectancy of a person suffering from extensive small cell lung cancer will be no more than 2 to 6 months after diagnosis. By providing proper treatment, it can be extended to 10 to 12 months. As a number of factors come into play when it comes to small cell lung cancer prognosis, the survival rates calculated over a period cannot be used to determine the future of a particular case.

Over the period, we have undergone immense development in the field of medicine, which has helped in increasing the life expectancy of people suffering from several ailments. Although the survival rates of small cell lung cancer don't quite look pleasant at present, developments in the field of medicine are expected to improve them significantly in the near future.