can people survive small cell lung cancer?

Question

my sister in law has been diagnosed and has had chemo she has her last to get next week then 10 radiotherapy but i still worried she will die from this

Answer 1

Lung cancer is tough one....most people do not survive. The lung's are the toughest tissue to heal

Answer 2

Yes people survive small cell lung cancer especially if it is found in the early stages. It is usually advanced cancers that are difficult to manage because they are so widespread . . not because they are a certain type. It is metastatic cancer that is hard to treat, but not impossible. There are survivors for all stages and types of cancer . . so there is always hope despite the often grim prognosis you'll hear from everyone else.

Suggest you join an online support group whose members all have small cell lung cancer or are caregivers for family members with the disease. You can find out available resources, support, and the latest treatment news:

ACOR: Small Cell Lung Cancer mailing list group
http://listserv.acor.org/archives/lung-sclc.html

NCI: Small Cell Lung Cancer Treatment
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/small-cell-lung/patient

Lung Cancer Alliance
http://www.alcase.org

Answer 3

I had Stage 4 lung cancer, and have survived so far. I took combined western medicine and Chinese medicine to treat the cancer. The person introduced me about this treatment is a friend of mine in Houston, he himself has small cell lung cancer and was given two months to live by the the MD Anderson Hospital. His brother in China heard about this treatment and let him giving a try. He has survived so far, about 3-4 years since first diagnosed. So this is a successful case.

The worst thing for a cancer patient is worry. I suggest you take a look at my blog which documents my personal experience of treating lung cancer with combined western medicine and Chinese medicine.
http://360.yahoo.com/taichang48

Answer 4

My husband was diagnosed March 20th 2006 He went thru chemo radiation and took a drug called tarceva(it is very expensive but has had good results) By the time he was diagnosed it had spread and sadly my love passed away on 6-6-06. Your sister in law needs to get frequent check ups Good luck to her. It is nice that you care so much for her.

Answer 5

This viciously aggressive tumour is only divided into 2 grades.

Of those people who have limited disease and have chemotherapy, between 35 and 40 out of every 100 people (35 - 40%) will be alive 2 years later.


People with extensive disease are also treated with chemotherapy. But unfortunately, the survival rate is even lower. Most only survive 10 to 12 months.

Answer 6

Here are the facts from the American Cancer Society. It is very bad news, I'm afraid.

"Without treatment, small cell lung cancer (SCLC) has the most aggressive clinical course of any type of pulmonary tumor, with median survival from diagnosis of only 2 to 4 months. Compared with other cell types of lung cancer, SCLC has a greater tendency to be widely disseminated by the time of diagnosis but is much more responsive to chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

"Because patients with small cell lung cancer tend to develop distant metastases, localized forms of treatment, such as surgical resection or radiation therapy, rarely produce long-term survival.[2] With incorporation of current chemotherapy regimens into the treatment program, however, survival is unequivocally prolonged, with at least a 4- to 5-fold improvement in median survival compared with patients who are given no therapy. Furthermore, about 10% of the total population of patients remains free of disease during 2 years from the start of therapy, the time period during which most relapses occur. Even these patients, however, are at risk of dying from lung cancer (both small- and non-small cell types). The overall survival at 5 years is 5% to 10%."

Answer 7

My wife had lung cancer in addition to cancer in other parts of her body. She did not survive. Your sister-in-law's chances of survival are probably fair if she is fairly young and strong and otherwise healthy, has good treatment which it sounds like she does, and does not have cancer anywhere else. I think that once cancer has metastasized it is very likely a lost cause. I truly wish you and your sister-in-law the very best of luck.

Answer 8

Yes people can survive small cell cancer. It is not necessary to call it "small cell cancer" as all cells are (infinitesimal) small! These are the vital physiological chemistry of the human body and without them we would not survive. The fact that your sister has this cancer is indicative of infection in at least her lungs. Normally the body will cure itself by replenishing worn out, damaged cells. If any symptoms persist (ongoing ill health) means this process is damaged. The most likely cause of the damage being viral/ bacterial infections. There are a whole host of natural cures (and means of detecting) for these microbes and that is the most straightforward way of dealing with cancer.

Answer 9

Well dont give up hope and always encourage her to look at things on the bright side.

There is an alternative suggestion which can read further from the link below. Its called Nikken's Dunaliella Hard Capsules. Besides taking dunaliella hard capsules consider Nikken Eva Yang (Ying and Yang treatment), Nikken's Chlostanin Gold and Nikken's Go Signal.

It helps one to recover their strength in no time. Patients can take 2 kinds Dunaliella Hard capsules and Eva Yang but you have to ensure that you also detox as you might have taking too much medicine and need to ensure it flushes out before your body can absorb more things.

Many cancer patients have used this product and Dunaliella is known to have helped cancer patient to relieve their pain.

Product available online only. Never give up, life is always wonderful.

Answer 10

many have survived, I recommend you stop worrying, it will change nothing, and only causes you stress. Try rather, to accept that all life comes to an eventual end, enjoy the time you have with your sister.