Lung tumors are top cancer killer

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer cases and cancer deaths around the world, claiming 1.3 million lives each year.

In the United States, 213,380 new cases and 160,390 lung cancer deaths are expected this year.

Nearly 60 percent of people die within one year of diagnosis. Nearly 75 percent die within two years. Only about 15 percent survive five years or more.

Five-Year Survival Rate

Stage 1 47 percent

Stage 2 26 percent

Stage 3 8 percent

Stage 4 2 percent

Sources: American Cancer Society, American College of Surgeons.

[Ban Hammer 13,337]

you're just a bright spot today ain't you?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

you're just a bright spot today ain't you?

If Gary managed to quit, so can you.

[Mags 112]

It actually depends on the type of Lung cancer diagnosed. Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) is 99.9% incurable and very fast growing. A three month time limit of diagnosis to death is pretty normal. It's quick and very nasty.

If you are diagnosed with Large Cell Lung Cancer you have a pretty good diagnosis, it can be treated.

So, not all lung cancers are the same and that should be kept in mind when posting statistics like this. Without additional information it is pretty useless.

Edited August 31, 2007 by Mags

[one...two...tree 2,762]

It actually depends on the type of Lung cancer diagnosed. Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) is 99.9% incurable and very fast growing. A three month time limit of diagnosis to death is pretty normal. It's quick and very nasty.

If you are diagnosed with Large Cell Lung Cancer you have a pretty good diagnosis, it can be treated.

So, not all lung cancers are the same and that should be kept in mind when posting statistics like this. Without additional information it is pretty useless.

I'm wondering why the American Cancer Society doesn't make that distinction in its statistics? I'm not questioning your accuracy, it just seems that would be important info to pass on to the public than lumping all lung cancers together. Perhaps the percentage of SCLC cases is much higher than the more benign form?

Edited August 31, 2007 by Mister Fancypants

[Mags 112]

It actually depends on the type of Lung cancer diagnosed. Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) is 99.9% incurable and very fast growing. A three month time limit of diagnosis to death is pretty normal. It's quick and very nasty.

If you are diagnosed with Large Cell Lung Cancer you have a pretty good diagnosis, it can be treated.

So, not all lung cancers are the same and that should be kept in mind when posting statistics like this. Without additional information it is pretty useless.

I'm wondering why the American Cancer Society doesn't make that distinction in its statistics? I'm not questioning your accuracy, it just seems that would be important info to pass on to the public than lumping all lung cancers together. Perhaps the percentage of SCLC cases is much higher than the more benign form?

LCLC isn't benign; it just responds to chemo, whereas SCLC does not (in most cases). Hence there are no modern medicines available to treat it. I have no idea why the ACS doesn't make a distinction; I would certainly find it more conclusive if they did include this information in their stats, as would many others too.

Edited August 31, 2007 by Mags

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I went to their site and found this...

Types of Lung Cancer

There are 2 main types of lung cancer and they are treated differently.

* small cell lung cancer (SCLC)

* non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

If the cancer has features of both types, it is called mixed small cell/large cell cancer. The information here only covers non- small cell lung cancer. Small cell lung cancer is covered in a separate document.

....

Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)

About 85% of all lung cancers are of the non-small cell type. There are 3 sub-types of NSCLC. The cells in these sub-types differ in size, shape, and chemical make-up.

* squamous cell carcinoma: about 25% to 30% of all lung cancers are of this kind. They are linked to smoking and tend to be found near the bronchus.

* adenocarcinoma: this type accounts for about 40% of lung cancers. It is usually found in the outer part of the lung.

* large-cell undifferentiated carcinoma: about 10% to 15% of lung cancers are this type. It can start in any part of the lung. It tends to grow and spread quickly.

http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/...r.asp?sitearea=

[Mags 112]

I'd be really interested to see their death rates for the SCLC and the LCLC...would be very interesting.

[sara535 15]

My mother died 4 years ago from small cell lung cancer. Never smoked a day in her life, displayed almost no symptoms until it was too late. She died 3 months to the day from her diagnosis at the age of 57, having been fairly healthy and active all her life. Although there are many risk factors in these cancers the fact of the matter is that many non-smokers die every year.

my theory - my mother grew up in a very rural agricultural area in the south, I think it was the crop dusting but her illness was so quick there really wasnt time or inclination to try to track down all the possible causes.

[Mags 112]

My mother died 4 years ago from small cell lung cancer. Never smoked a day in her life, displayed almost no symptoms until it was too late. She died 3 months to the day from her diagnosis at the age of 57, having been fairly healthy and active all her life. Although there are many risk factors in these cancers the fact of the matter is that many non-smokers die every year.

my theory - my mother grew up in a very rural agricultural area in the south, I think it was the crop dusting but her illness was so quick there really wasnt time or inclination to try to track down all the possible causes.

My mother also died from SCLC (aged 60) and she died virtually three months to the day of her diagnosis too. Difference was that she smoked, not heavily, but smoked all the same.

It's quick but very nasty, I wouldn't wish it on anyone.

Edited August 31, 2007 by Mags

[GaryC 7]

you're just a bright spot today ain't you?

If Gary managed to quit, so can you.

On that note, I fell off of my quitting while on the welbutren. The side effects were just to severe. For the last 2 months I have been taking Chantex. What a wonderful drug that is!!! No side effects that I can see and it reduces the cravings so much better than anything else I have tried. With the welbutren I was using the patch with it and it was still a constant battle to refrain from smoking. That proved to me it wasn't so much the addiction to the nicotine but an addiction to the act of smoking that I had. With the Chantex I am not using a patch or any other crutch. The cravings are at a manageable level and refraining from smoking is so much easier. It's like I forget to smoke!! Anyone that is trying to quit I would highly recommend Chantex. My insurance even covers it!!!

[Sheri&Carl 0]

I lost my dad to Lung Cancer 23 Feb 2007. He was diagnosed 1 Feb 2007. He was 57. He was a exposed to agent orange in the Vietnam war and the radiation they gave him for the tumor is what caused it to, for lack of a better phrase, explode and killed him.

It was fast, it was nasty, and it was heartbreaking

Edited August 31, 2007 by Sheri&Carl

[Sheriff Uling 3]

I beg to differ. The top cancer killer is illegal aliens...

[Jaseball 0]

One of the hardest things for me to grasp in life is that it doesn't really make much sense.

With regards to cancer, terminal or chronic illness you see people who eat right, exercise, avoid vices, etc., get some cancer and die within months.

You see people who are drunks, smoke 2 packs a day, do IV drugs, and they somehow manage to live to a ripe old age.

Does this mean we should all go and partake in risky and dangerous behavior, eat fatty/sugary/salty food and avoid healthy fare, or abuse drugs and try to get sick and die?

No, but I also don't think hiding from all these things will protect you.

Moderation is the only way to go as well as enjoying the things in life that give it flavor.

I personally would hate to do everything 'right,' and get a terminal illness anyways, but I'm going to do my best to avoid the obvious high risk behaviors and actions and addictions.

[Ban Hammer 13,337]

you're just a bright spot today ain't you?

If Gary managed to quit, so can you.

brother gary slowed down and used more lub to stop smoking too