Sunday, August 28, 2011

With lung cancer, what does the 5% survival rate actually me

With lung cancer, what does the 5% survival rate actually me?
My dearest friend just found out she has lung cancer in one lung and in some of her lymph nodes. She is having no surgery but is going to through chemo and radiation. Why isnt the lung removed? Is it and indication that she is far deep into the cancer that there is no point to the surgery? They said she has a 5% survival rate. What does that mean in reality? How do I interpret such information and put it in some type of perspective?
Cancer - 7 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
The 5% survival rate is grim. It means that she has a 5% chance of surviving. If you took a group of 100 people with her type of cancer and the effect it has done, only 5 of them would survive. Her chances are slim, but it is important to maintain a positive attitude. It can definitely only help her chances. She needs to keep fighting!
2 :
it means that there isn't much help for her out of 100% survial rate being good she only has 5% chance which isn't good at all, I am very sorry to her that I would spend time with her as much as you can, and if the cancer is spreading to far they won't remove a lung because cancer spreads when air gets to it, and if it's everywhere they might just make it worse.
3 :
Blood will not have proper oxygenation if either lung will be removed so it doesn't really mean there's no point in surgery. You just can't possibly remove it. I'm not sure about d 5% survival rate. My idea might or might not help. I don't want to either put you or your friend down, or keep your hopes up.
4 :
5 people out of every 100 survive I would have thought it higher than that http://www.cancerbackup.org.uk/Cancertype/Lung
5 :
Is this a small cell lung cancer or a non-small cell lung cancer? There are a number of types of lung carcinoma. For small cell types we don't do surgery - just RT and chemotherapy. Why? Because small cell lung cancer is never localized. If it is non-small cell lung cancer and not resectable, Chemotherapy and radiation usually buys some time. 5% survivals are usually measured at five years - meaning that one person in 20 will survive five years from diagnosis. Lung cancers are much better prevented than treated. 85 to 90% are directly related to chronic cigarette smoking. The average person I saw with lung cancer had smoked at least 350,000 cigarettes before diagnosis. Many had smoked half a million cigarettes knowing that lung cancer was a risk. (Warnings have been on the packages for over 40 years now.) But there are people with lung cancers who have never smoked. Maybe your friend is one of these. I have seen people who survived five years - but not many. All you can do is try and hope for the best outcome. Here's a good summation site if you want more information - - http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec04/ch057/ch057a.html
6 :
If 20 people are diagnosed with lung cancer only 2 of them will live past the estimated length of time given for the average survival time of most patients following such a diagnosis. 95 percent of that population or the other 18 will have died within the given time period. This is not a good prognosis. I am sorry your friend has this illness and I hope she will be an exception to these statistics.
7 :
Speed dog is correct with the best answer. Also, exposure to air does not cause cancer to spread. That is fictious information. CountryRN27 (Marianne)




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Wednesday, August 24, 2011

How bad is stage 4 lung cancer

 How bad is stage 4 lung cancer?
My mother 'may' have stage IV lung cancer. The doctors are not sure yet, but they say it may have spread to her brain. What is the likliness of her pulling through this and living a long life??
Cancer - 16 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
unfortunately.....there is not really any chance of her living a long life.......Sorry
2 :
Stage four is in the final stage, it is bad! Sorry to hear it.
3 :
sorry to say-- I'll echo previous answer. Its pretty bad especially if it has spread. Lung cancer tends to be pretty bad from a survival standpoint since it is usually caught late. good luck.
4 :
If she's in stage 4 she only has a few months to live. You have my sympathy.
5 :
sorry. a miracle. lung cancer is the worst cancer and with the least survivers. i am so sorry for your situation. spend some time loving each other.
6 :
Stage 4 is a pretty high level of cancer, matter of fact, the highest. Your mother needs to have aggresive treatment of the cancer. How much time you mother has is based on how far the cancer as spread and how much treatment has been done. God Bless
7 :
Stage 4 is the final stage, that means it has gone beyond treatment and time is short. In this case it has also metastasized which mean spread so now there are two cancer locations to consider. It is time to get things in order, say your goodbyes and make your final arrangements.
8 :
My advice to you (my mom just finished chemo for stage IV Ovarian Cancer...the deadliest of all "female" cancers) is to do LEGITIMATE research about it and then not to take the information as anything but numbers. I don't know if it helps any, but from a mathematician's perspective, statistics talk about a trend, but they definitely do not encompass the range of possible outcomes. A 'most likely' situation is made up of events that are similar, but also events that are way worse and events that are way better. Statistics will tell you that the chances of her living a long life are probably not so great BUT you need to keep yourself informed and remember that each person is different. You will have a lot more information from her doctors after they know how far it has spread. The most important thing is to be strong...many people have beat the same thing your mom is going through no matter what statistics say. Good luck to you, I know how hard it is. BTW, I read some previous answers...don't listen to people who have no clue. I'm sorry that you have to read their BS.
9 :
Usually stage 4 is bad, but people have lived longer than anticipated. If you really want to know how long she had, talk to her doctor. He will be able to tell you more than anyone here can. Of course you he has to follow doctor/patient privileges but your mom can consent. But her doctor had the best answers you are looking for. Good luck to you and your family. Sam
10 :
There appears to be some confusion among the people answering here about what stage 4 means for a cancer patient. Cancer is staged by an oncologist in order to know what type of treatment to pursue for the patient. It is not a 'final' stage. Basically, stage 4 means that the cancer has metastasized (spred beyond the primary site). I know many, many cancer survivors who were stage 4 at diagnosis. It is true that stage 4 or cancer that has metastisized is more difficult to treat because of other factors, such as overall health, location of tumors, grade of tumors, etc. My 18 year old son was diagnosed as a stage 4 cancer 19 months ago with multiple abdominal tumors, tumors in spleen, chest wall, large and small intestine, lympth nodes, diaphragm, and spots on lungs. He was treated succesfully with high dose chemotherapy (tumors shrunk or disappeared), two surgeries, chemoperfusion to the abdomen(heated chemo poured into open abdomen) and within a year after treatment was 'no evidence of disease'. He was in remission for over 8 months. Do not let others discourage you or your mother. Take each day as it comes and do not worry about the future. Lung cancer is difficult to treat, but there is always hope. If your mother is in relative good health and is willing to fight her disease, than no one knows how long she may have, including her doctors. Stay strong and remain hopeful.
11 :
Quite low, unfortunately. Stage 4 is terminal. They may consider doing chemo or radiation not to cure, but for palliation of symptoms. They may get Hospice involved to keep your mom comfortable during whatever time she may have left.
12 :
This is a terminal illness
13 :
My husband had stage IV. He had his left lung removed, it had a tumor the size of a large orange. From the time it was diagnosed in December 2001 to the time he died. October 2002, he suffered terribly. It was the pain from the surgery, from the cancer which spread all over his body and the chemotherapy. Also, he had oxygen on, 24/7. It was a rough time. Try to keep your mom comfortable and pain free. The physicians know the drugs that can do that. If there are any questions you want to ask, please email me.
14 :
The definition of stage IV is as under - Stage IV Lung Cancer. In Stage 4 lung cancer the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, such as the liver, bones or brain. There is less than a 2 percent chance of surviving the disease 5 years when it's treated at this stage. i did not want to answer your this question but I have to. It is a very critical situation. I feel very sad to know this. Just believe the Doctors and the GOD. Nothing can be told as CANCER IS STILL AN ENIGMA. Best of luck
15 :
Unfortunately it is not good. My husband was diagnosed March 20th passed June 6th No symptoms It all everywhere by the time he was diagnosed. He went thru radiation chemo gamma knife procedure and used tarceva. Ask the doctor about these options. Spend all the time you can with her. Help her to do the things she wants eat what she wants visit with her friends while she still can.
16 :
I have always believed that the mainstream medical industry is not interested in finding a cure for cancer because it makes too much profit with its present barbarous methods. Eventually, I came across a detailed report which agreed with my findings, and I have included it in my web page at http://dgwa1.fortunecity.com/body/cancer.html By reading this report, you will also convince yourself that it is best to ignore the mainstream cancer industry, and seek alternative cures. Also you should bear in mind that the medical industry will do anything to protect its profitable position, including disparaging alternative healers or even creating bogus court cases. I believe that cancer is a whole body thing, which in 80 percent of cases manifests itself by producing symptoms in the weaker parts of the body, and therefore appearing localised. It is this treatment of symptoms instead of cause which creates the profitable, yet non-successful approach of mainstream medicine. Some cures are listed on the web page too. It is therefore obvious that a holistic approach is required, based on cleansing, diet, exercise and debugging. CLEANSING The best way of cleansing is to fast. http://www.phifoundation.org/menses.html http://www.healthy.net/scr/article.asp?ID=1996 but if a patient is too weak for that, or does not fancy the idea, then alternative cleanses are available. Colon Cleanse http://www.soundfeelings.com/free/colon_cleansing.htm#recipe Bowel cleanse http://www.curezone.com/schulze/herbal_colon_cleanse_1_2.asp kidney cleanse http://www.curezone.com/cleanse/kidney/default.asp http://www.ehow.com/how_12678_kidney-cleansing-fast.html http://www.falconblanco.com/health/cleansing/kidney.html http://www.healingdaily.com/colon-kidney-detoxification.htm http://www.healthfree.com/cleansing_programs_kidney.html Liver cleanse http://www.drclark.net/en/drclark_protocol/illnesses/liver_cleanse.php Gallbladder cleanse http://www.curezone.com/cleanse/liver/default.asp http://www.curezone.com/cleanse/liver/huldas_recipe.asp Pancreas cleanse http://curezone.com/dis/1.asp?C0=261 DIET, The best diet is vegetarian, avoiding all processed, frozen or micro-waved foods and drinks, and based on fresh fruit, fresh vegetables - preferably organic, nuts and seeds. Drinks should be clean water or freshly squeezed orange juice. Many researchers promote the benefits of vitamin B17 as a healer. this can be found in the following foods: Apple seeds, alfalfa sprouts, apricot kernels, bamboo shoots, barley, beet tops, bitter almond, blackberries, boysenberries, brewer̢۪s yeast, brown rice, buckwheat, cashews, cherry kernels, cranberries, currants, fava beans, flax seeds, garbanzo beans, gooseberries, huckleberries, lentils, lima beans, linseed meat, loganberries, macadamia nuts, millet, millet seed, peach kernels, pecans, plum kernels, quince, raspberries, sorghum cane syrup, spinach, sprouts (alfalfa, lentil, mung bean, buckwheat, garbanzo), strawberries, walnuts, watercress, yams. A commercial preparation of B17 is available called Laetrile. EXERCISE Exercise should be sufficient to create a sweat, but not sufficient to make you gasp for breath or feel over-tired. About one hours exercise every day is best. DEBUGGING There are various theories about how bugs create cancer. Hulda Clark suggests that parasites are the cause, and that they can be disposed of by using a zapper. Zappers are available from Super Zapper DeLuxe http://www.drclark.net Clark Zapper with amazing features get a free CD ROM http://www.paradevices.com/zapper_works.html Terminator Crystal Orgone Zapper Blood Purification Parasite Solution Electrical stimulation devices for blood purification, parasites, relaxation, and addictions. http://www.elixa.com/estim/zap.htm High frequency parasite zapper. Includes product description and benefits. http://www.ess-in.com/


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Saturday, August 20, 2011

Does anyone know a cure for small cell lung cancer

Does anyone know a cure for small cell lung cancer?
My grandpa is in his ninth month of small cell lung cancer and right now he can't even feed himself. He and I are fishing buddies. I'm 20 and I haven't lost anyone yet. I just had the worse dream last night and couldn't sleep. My mom who works for a doctor's office has lost all hope and I am still believing that he could make it.
Cancer - 3 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
I'm sorry to hear of his illness, and I hope you continue to be a presence in his daily life as long as he has one. But seriously, do you think if anybody had a cure for small cell lung cancer they'd be sharing it at Yahoo Answers but not with the medical community?
2 :
The casual tone of your question is perplexing. You ask if anyone has a cure for cancer, as if they may have discovered it and forgot to tell the medical community. Oncology is the medical specialization of cancer treatment. Oncologists are MDs who undertake several additional years of clinical training related to cancer. Oncologists are the experts in cancer treatment and your grandfather is seeing one. Research institutions and medical universities across the world expend billions of dollars annually studying cancer, its causes, and potential therapies. The global pharmaceutical industry expends tens of billions of dollars annually searching for new cancer treatments. Your grandfather's oncologist is in the best position to discuss his treatment plan and prognosis.
3 :
Raw broccoli




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Tuesday, August 16, 2011

My family memeber was just digonsed with Lung Cancer

My family memeber was just digonsed with Lung Cancer?
Has anyone had lung cancer and survived here on this website? They said they cannot operate because it is in the lymph nodes as well and it is in a bad location and too close to the heart. I am very worried for him. If you all can please pray for him thanks.
Cancer - 2 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
I am sorry to hear the news. Although I am only a teenager I understand your feelings. My aunt was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2004. She recovered, but now she has a relapse. I hope that your relative will get better and stay optimistic. Don't forget to have him take plenty of nutritious food as well!
2 :
I am SO sorry. My mom just passed away from LC a couple months ago. Hers was metastasized to her lymph nodes and bones. She did agressive chemo for the first couple of months, but she had no reaction to it. It really depends on the body's reaction to the chemo. I will pray. hugs!




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Friday, August 12, 2011

Stage 4 liver and lung cancer, any one have any idea how long a person might live

Stage 4 liver and lung cancer, any one have any idea how long a person might live?
My grandmother went into the hospital a couple weeks ago with confusion and incoherent behavior, they found her electrolites were low, and had to raise them slowly. She came back into her right mind, and during the tests they did in that time they found she had cancer in her liver and lungs. Tonight she went back into the hospital (after being home 2 days) far more confused and much more violently incoherent than before. I am assuming this is because her electrolites must be low again. (I dont know why or how they could drop so fast). The doctors have told us she has stage 4 cancer, and basucally to just keep her comfortable until she passes. Theyre doing more tests to find out how long that will be, but does anyone have any idea? The thought of her wasting away for months is horrid, even weeks in this state is more than i can handle. People should just lay down and die. This wasting away crap is bullshit. Wouldnt repeated severely low electrolyte levels suggest renal failure? She doesnt want treatment from what I understand. Iam sure that will make a difference. Just the fact that the doctors have basically said "take her home and let her die" says a lot.
Cancer - 10 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
I'm sorry about your grandmother. I knew someone who had lung cancer and was being treated fairly successfully for that. However, it spread to her liver. She died within 1 month of finding out. It was very, very quick. Again, I'm sorry .
2 :
probably 3 months some people live shorter and some live longer but probably the best opinion from webmd.com or google to find out.
3 :
i'm sorry you have to deal with such things...my mother had bone/breast cancer and lasted 6 months...but the dr she had gave her too much carbon dioxide when she went into a coma and died after 2 days of being hospitalized...her coma lasted about 18 hrs...we never want a loved one to suffer, so pray for healing or a quick passing...just know you're not alone...i agree with you saying people should just lay down and die...my grandpa died that way and i've dreamed of doing just that since i was 9 when he died...
4 :
My father died within a month of being told,and it wasn,t quick enough he suffered something terrible in that month.And we as a family suffered every minute of his pain with him.
5 :
Just try not to measure the time she has left. It could only be hours. My friends grandmother had the same thing. She found out June 15 and I'm sorry but she didn't even make it to the 4th of July! Enjoy the time you have and make sure you get her final things in order. Make all her dreams come true! Don't dwell on the sickness but the peace she will be at when it is over!
6 :
My father had liver cancer and lung cancer. He lived 3 months after diagnosis. He couldn't eat and was in pain. He wasted away to skin and bone. He was in a rest home and got bed sores (you're supposed to roll them over every 2 hours to prevent these sores which can become infected). Rolling him over was painful. Do not put your loved ones in a nursing home if it can be avoided. I would have liked for the doctor to help his death along. I see no useful purpose in suffering and I don't believe in a merciful God letting 86 year olds suffer.
7 :
I know it hard for you loose some one you love and Im sorry for your Grandmother but when it gets to your liver they usally dont last very long.
8 :
stage 4 is the worse. so sorry you all have to go through this. my dad died of cancer. its a lot like Dr says. somedays will be good some bad and you can get hospice to help out.. good luck
9 :
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/TheOpenDoorForsupport/
10 :
. She obviously doesn't want to cause you any more pain than you're having now, she doesn't want any treatment that will give her a bit longer. Why is it important to find out from tests how much longer she will be with you? She's here now, I wonder if she really wants to know for how long?




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Monday, August 8, 2011

what are the odds of surviving lung cancer

what are the odds of surviving lung cancer?
my grandma was recently diagnosed. she has a partially collapsed lung because of a cancerous tumor. they're putting her through chemotherapy & radiation treatments. the doctor hasn't really told her what stage her cancer is in, they just classified it as "highly aggressive". they give her 3 months, to 5 years. what do you think the odds are of her actually surviving??
Cancer - 3 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
Her treating Dr's are in the position to judge this the best. It seems likely from what you have said that she is unlikely to survive beyond 5 years and if she does not respond well to treatment it could be as little as 3 months.
2 :
Look into whether Cyberknife (or a similar radiosurgery) could be performed. They're having great success with that now with lung cancers. In addition to the chemotherapy look into alternative therapies that are available as well. Check out Cancer Treatment Centers of America to see what they offer in addition to conventional therapy. Since this appears to be aggressive, pursing some of the traditional alternative options may not be a good idea at this time, however, adopting a healthy diet with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables would help. As far as alternative options that may have a more "immediate" impact, I'd research insulin potentiation therapy (IPT) and enzyme therapy, but it seems that the chemo is the best for right now. As far as survival odds, you need staging and tumor type to determine that. Even in the most dire cases, there's always hope. Remember, every patient is different in how or if they respond to treatment. 3 months to 5 years is a long time span. A lot can happen to cancer treatment in a 5 year span.
3 :
The odds of surviving long with highly aggressive lung cancer aren't good. I haven't known anyone with lung cancer who has lived more than a year, even with treatment. The ones I've known have generally lived 3-6 months. Sorry your grandma is so sick.




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Thursday, August 4, 2011

Anyone with information about the use of the chemo drug Topecan to treat advanced small cell lung cancer

Anyone with information about the use of the chemo drug Topecan to treat advanced small cell lung cancer?
My sister has very advanced small cell lung cancer. She has just started on the chemo durrg called Topecan. This is being used as a second line of chemo drugs. The first chemo durgs used were cisplatin and etoposide, then carboplatin and etoposide. The cancer has continued to spread, from the lung to the liver then the bones and now she just went through radiation for several brain tumors-she was diagnosed in November. What side effects should be expected? Is there any other options except clinical trials? At Southwestern, I was told that they had said to my brother in law that "the radiation would kill all the brain tumors." But it has really taken a toll on her strength, balance etc. Thank you for any information.
Cancer - 3 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
She may consider some of the treatments at the site below before she gets any worse. They work better than chemo for reasons explained in the site.
2 :
Sorry but your sister needs to have a realistic talk with her Drs about what the chemo can and can not do so that she has realistic expectations regarding treating metastatic small cell cancer . Maybe hospice would be of more benefit and then she could enjoy her remaining days without any further treatments but with the attention of her relatives and friends. sorry
3 :
Advanced small cell lung cancer is a miserable disease. Your Sister is in a battle for her life. Sometimes a person with small cell lung cancer can live for some time with treatment; but often the treatment is in vain. Hope and pray that someday there will be a cure for patients with this type and all types of Cancer. In the meantime, Let God into your lives and follow Him in your decisions as questions about what you should do next come into being.




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Monday, August 1, 2011

Does anyone know anything about lung cancer

Does anyone know anything about lung cancer?
I want to know how much of a chance a person has in each stage of lung cancer. Give me links to things, or just tell me. Anything, to help.
Cancer - 1 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/lung -official National Cancer Institute's site on lung cancer -diagnosis, stages, treatment etc.. http://cancercenters.cancer.gov/cancer_centers/cancer-centers-list.html -list of the Cancer Centers by state (not every hospital is designated a "Cancer Center," only the big institutions with lots of money, research, experienced doctors etc..) http://www.lungcancer.org/patients/fs_pc_lc_101.htm -another website on lung cancer -with lots of info Just my 2 cents, statistics mean nothing. Focus on getting better: 1) -get the diagnosis confirmed (2nd opinion even 3rd opinion from another doctor); sometimes the first doctor could get it wrong or incomplete (they could get the stage wrong, the subtype wrong etc..) 2) discuss treatment options in detail (you need to be INFORMED!!!!!! So read on the internet ALL you can about the disease, stages, standard of treatmetn, the best hospitals for your cancer type, the best doctors, the newest clinical trials). It's homework but it's important;) My family has gone though that and we all tried to suck up all the info we could get so we could always question the doctor and the treatment... 3) Have faith. This is a test of faith and endurance. Do not let anyone tell you you can't do something. It's in God's hands. I am reading a book, coincidentally, about the first cancer survivor to summit Everest. He was diagnosed with cancer twice, first with lymphoma then after some years with aggresive LUNG cancer. He was told he had 2 WEEKS. Well, he is alive and well and it's been 15 YEARS. So noobody knows but God! Doctors certainly don't know all. http://www.cancerclimber.org/sean.html




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