There are 4 stages (stages) of lung cancer and these stages are determined by looking at 3 criteria:
1. Tumor diameter and location
Lung cancer size matters for stage: for example, a 2cm tumor and a 5cm or 8cm tumor are at different stages. In addition, the stages of a cancer located in the main trachea and a cancer located in one corner of the lung are different
2. Whether there is spread to the lymph nodes
The absence of spread to the lymph nodes indicates an earlier stage (stage 1), and spread to the lymph nodes indicates a more advanced stage (stage 2 or 3).
3. Whether it has spread (metastasized) to other organs
If lung cancer is not detected early, it can spread to the other lung, brain, bone, adrenal glands, liver, or other body parts. In this case, the cancer reaches the most advanced stage, namely stage 4.
Fourth Stage Lung Cancer
4. In stage 1 lung cancer, the cancer in the lung has spread (metastasized) to other organs or tissues of the body (bone, brain, adrenal glands, liver, soft tissues).
It is the most advanced stage of lung cancer.
Lung cancers consist of 2 main groups: ‘Small Cell’ Lung Cancer and ‘Non-Small Cell’ Lung Cancer. The treatments of these 2 groups are different.
You can read the treatment methods for these 2 groups below.
Treatment of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Stage 4
- Since the cancer has spread to other organs at this stage, surgery is not preferred, except in certain situations.
- The most appropriate treatment is chemotherapy, targeted therapies, immunotherapy and, if necessary, radiotherapy for the spread of cancer.
- Using targeted therapy (smart drugs) in cancers other than squamous (epidermoid) cell increases the success of treatment.
- In order to use smart drugs, EGFR, ALK and ROS-1 gene tests should be performed from the biopsy tumor.
- Surgery may be useful in very special cases (for example, only 1 metastasis in the brain or adrenal gland and they have been treated or will be treated).
Small Cell Lung Cancer 4. Stage
In this group, smart drugs or immunotherapy cannot be applied. The 2 elements of treatment are:
- Chemotherapy – drug therapy
- Radiotherapy – radiation therapy
Recommendations in Stage Four Lung Cancer
The use of smart drugs increases the success of treatment at this stage. However, this treatment can be applied in approximately one quarter of the patients.
Promising results have started to be obtained with immunotherapy – Contact your oncologist.
With supportive treatments, the patient’s comfort of life is tried to be preserved.
Paliative treatments should be applied for emerging shortness of breath, pain or severe weakening.
Products called alternative treatments, which many patients’ relatives hope for, do not provide any benefit. We have to suggest caution in this regard.
Fourth Stage Lung Cancer Life expectancy (Prognosis)
The question frequently asked by patients and their relatives is ‘the chance to get rid of this disease with the treatment to be applied’. The statistics below reflect the results of international studies of the treatment of a large number of patients.
Probability of one-year life expectancy (British Cancer Research Center results)
The 1-year survival rate in patients with stage 4 lung cancer is 14%.
Five likelihood of five-year lifespan (American National Cancer Institute results)
The chance of survival for 5 years is 1% in patients with stage 4 lung cancer.
NOTE: These rates are before the use of smart drugs and immunotherapy. With the introduction of smart drugs (targeted therapy) and immunotherapy, the survival rates of patients with stage 4 lung cancer who are eligible to use this therapy are better than the rates shown here.
The following are the answers we gave to the questions sent to us by the patients and their relatives about the fourth stage lung cancer. You can find useful information in these questions and answers.
For the treatment of stage four lung cancer, you should consult a medical oncology specialist.