Questions about lung cancer - Cancer: Lung Message Board

Missylynn · 03-26-2004, 07:21 AM

First, my heart and my prayers go out to those of you who are battling lung cancer or has a love one who is.

From my readings it seems that there isn't much time from diagnosis until a person is terminal. Is that because by the time you discover symtoms the disease has progressed to the terminal stage?

Another question, when there's talk about a survival rate of 3 years does that mean that most likely the patient won't live longer than that or that the cancer returns after 3 years?

renee_ky · 03-26-2004, 01:30 PM

Hi Lynn- As you said, there is not much time between diagnosis and finding out that it is terminal. With my husband who is 44, he had been battling walking pneumonia for several months, and taking multiple antibiotics (this seems to be common). My husband was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer December 26th 2003, told he was terminal the same day, 6-9 months to live.. 1 year at best. We actually did not fnd out by a tumor being found in his lung. My husband was feeling pain in his hip after bowling. We went to the Doctor December 24th, nothing showed on the x-ray of his hip. We were then referred to an orthopedic who did an MRI, the orthopedic saw the cancer in the bone in his hip. Naturally, on x-mas eve, he did not tell us, he sent us to the hospital for a series of test. On December 26th, our family Doctor asked that we come to his office, he gave us the news.

From what I understand, the survial rate is when they expect the patient will pass away.

haylee31 · 03-26-2004, 02:45 PM

Hi Lynn,

In the case of my fathers lung cancer it started in Nov.82

they found cancer on his tounge and throat and said his

lungs were ok did surgery in Dec. thought all was ok.

In Sept. 83 he was feeling bad is when they said it was

in his lungs and he passed away in Nov. 83 with my mom

in Aug.2002 she was feeling sick to her stomach and more

tired than normal and was told it was lung cancer that

had already spread to her liver, kidneys and neck they

gave her 9 months she made it 7 months and passed away

in Mar. 2003. I guess it depends on the circumstances and

the person but it seems sadly it is not often caught in time

for much hope. Haylee