These figures are estimates and based on previous medical studies. Survival depends on many factors. Talk with your doctor about the outlook for your specific condition.
This article will explain the survival rates of lung cancer. It will break down these rates by gender, age, race, type of cancer, and stage of cancer. It will also explain how to interpret these rates and how high the risk of recurrence is.
There are two main types of lung cancer: non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer.
Non-small cell lung cancer
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for around
- adenocarcinoma
- squamous cell carcinoma
- large cell carcinmoma
Each subtype begins from different types of cells. They are grouped together due to their similar prognosis and treatment.
Small cell lung cancer
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is sometimes called oat cell cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, around
This type of lung cancer spreads faster than NSCLC typically does. Most people with SCLC find that it has already spread by the time they receive a diagnosis.
According to the American Cancer Society, females are slightly more likely to be diagnosed with lung cancer than males. In 2022, there were approximately
Females may be more likely to develop lung cancer. However, males have a lower survival rate. Of the approximately 130,180 estimated U.S. deaths due to lung cancer in 2022, 68,820 were males.
Lung cancer is more common in older people. According to the
Only a small number of people younger than 45 years old are diagnosed with lung cancer.
The 5-year survival rate is highest in younger adults, according to the
According to the American Lung Association, Black people are more likely to develop and die from lung cancer than any other race or ethnic group. Black males are
Learn more about lung cancer risk in Black males.
Cancer of any type is separated into stages. Each stage depends on:
- where the cancer is
- how much lymph node involvement is present
- how big the primary tumor is
- how much the cancer has spread
Typically, the stages of cancer range from 1 to 4. The higher the number, the more severe the cancer. Approximately
The survival rate of lung cancer varies by each stage.
Non-small cell lung cancer stage | 5-year survival rate with treatment |
---|---|
Stage 1 | 54% |
Stage 2 | 35% |
Stage 3A | 10-15% |
Stage 3B | less than 5% |
Stage 4 | less than 2% |
The
- Localized: There are no signs that the cancer has spread outside of the lungs.
- Regional: The cancer has spread outside of the lungs to the nearby lymph nodes.
- Distant: The cancer has spread to other areas of the body such as the brain, bones, or other lung.
The relative survival rates for NSCLC for these stages are:
- Localized: 64% survival rate
- Regional: 37% survival rate
- Distant: 8% survival rate
Using the SEER stages, the
- Localized: 29% survival rate
- Regional: 18% survival rate
- Distant: 3% survival rate
Survival rate refers to the number of people who are still alive for a specific length of time after a particular diagnosis.
For example, a 5-year survival rate of 50% of people means that half of the people are still alive 5 years after their diagnosis.
A relative survival rate is used to
For example, a 5-year survival rate of 70% means that someone with that condition is 70% as likely to live for 5 years as someone without the condition.
It is important to remember that these figures are estimates and based on previous medical studies. Talk with your doctor about the outlook for your specific condition.
Your risk of recurrence of lung cancer depends on:
- the type
- the stage
- the treatment
- lifestyle factors, such as smoking
The NSCLC has a 30 to 77% rate of recurrence after surgery.
Ongoing research and treatment development is helping decrease the rate of recurrence in those with lung cancer.
Many factors play a role in the survival rate of lung cancer, including:
- gender
- age
- race
- stage of cancer
- type of cancer
All survival rate statistics are based on studies and comparisons. It is important to discuss your individual case and circumstances with your doctor. They can give you a more personalized estimate on survival and help you choose the most effective treatment plan.