OLDSTER
Member
Can anyone here claim 5 year survivor of lung cancer. ?? 
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Lung Cancer survival
- Thread starter OLDSTER
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There are so many variables when it comes to cancer diagnosis and survival, that it's hard to generalize.
On my 38th birthday, in the spring of 1991, I had a fingertip-sized tumor removed from my right vocal cord. (Ultimately, I had three operations, and ended up losing part of my larynx.)
At that time, the average age of onset for laryngeal cancer was 63, and the five-year survival rate was not all that high. Nobody, absolutely nobody, would've bet a dime that I would still be alive in 2022, but here I am. You never know...
You're obviously asking this question for a specific reason, Oldster...good luck to you, or to whomever you know who's gotten that diagnosis.
On my 38th birthday, in the spring of 1991, I had a fingertip-sized tumor removed from my right vocal cord. (Ultimately, I had three operations, and ended up losing part of my larynx.)
At that time, the average age of onset for laryngeal cancer was 63, and the five-year survival rate was not all that high. Nobody, absolutely nobody, would've bet a dime that I would still be alive in 2022, but here I am. You never know...
You're obviously asking this question for a specific reason, Oldster...good luck to you, or to whomever you know who's gotten that diagnosis.
ACORN
Member
My ex boss had part/all of one of his lungs removed due to cancer before I started working for him in 1973.
He had a stroke in about 1994 and died a few years later, but to the best of my knowledge, not from the cancer.
Wish you the best.
He had a stroke in about 1994 and died a few years later, but to the best of my knowledge, not from the cancer.
Wish you the best.
bigwheelzip
Absent Comrade
17 years since given 18 months to live with an inoperable, terminal lung cancer diagnosis. Found better surgeon at MSKCC who would do the surgery. Had other cancer types before and since. Still have other cancer type, and may also have slow growing lung cancer again.Can anyone here claim 5 year survivor of lung cancer. ??
Small cell or non-small cell, location, and stage all make a big difference in outcome. Not a time to use second-string medical care. Get all-star varsity treatment (even if it's inconvenient), because you might not get another chance.
Best lung cancer treatment in the world is at Sloan-Kettering. I recommend Dr. Huang if you need surgery. James Huang | Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Always use an online Patient Portal to review all testing and radiology performed on you. Never assume it's been thoroughly reviewed by your doctors.
Edit: If you go to Sloan-Kettering from out of town and need a place to stay, we use the Hyatt Place in Fort Lee, NJ. 15 minutes away, with free parking, Wi-Fi, and breakfast.
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My sister had a portion of her lung removed for cancer. She never smoked. Her one-year follow-up cancer scan showed her to be cancer free. Two months later they found an aggressive brain cancer and she lasted another 5-6 weeks.
I had a piece of ear removed due to melanoma. Every time I visit the dermatologist, he slices off another chunk of skin. I'll probably get sliced into pieces until nothing is left before cancer gets me. I think once it's in you, it's in you--just waiting for its moment.
I had a piece of ear removed due to melanoma. Every time I visit the dermatologist, he slices off another chunk of skin. I'll probably get sliced into pieces until nothing is left before cancer gets me. I think once it's in you, it's in you--just waiting for its moment.
Huskerguy
Member
I have had two different lung diseases. The first was from an exposure to automotive paint, it healed after few years and life was good. Several years later I get a second one. It is rare, I take some meds and it eventually goes into remission a little over 2 years ago. This fall I started to feel rotten and ended back in Denver to my specialist and my second lung disease had returned and they found 6 nodules on my left lung. They were talking biopsy and possible cancer. Scheduled an apt a little over 3 months later, got sick on the way to Denver and had to reschedule. Just went a couple weeks ago and my nodules are gone! I was not looking forward to biopsies.
I have never had cancer but several issues and I can vouch that when your lungs/breathing doesn't work well, noting else will either. It stinks
I have never had cancer but several issues and I can vouch that when your lungs/breathing doesn't work well, noting else will either. It stinks
We have a long time member here that was battling lung cancer. He had a lung removed.
About nine months ago he was declared cancer-free. He is doing well.
Another win for modern medicine.
About nine months ago he was declared cancer-free. He is doing well.
Another win for modern medicine.
LVSteve
Member
Almost the same with my first wife except she also had a prior run-in with colon cancer. Lung cancer and brain cancer seem to be closely related. Between the brain cancer and the whole head radiation to treat it, she took 8 months to die. Sorry if that sounds harsh, but you didn't have to watch.
RalphMP9FS
Member
Can anyone here claim 5 year survivor of lung cancer. ??
I'll let you know next January.
I am a Registered Nurse and X-Ray & Nuclear Medicine Technologist for 52 years.
It is true the earlier you detect any cancer the better the long term survival.
Some of you Boomers, like myself, will remember the Doctor and American Cancer Society TV ads pushing to have annual screening chest x-rays.
Then they decided the amount of radiation from annual chest x-ray could be bad. And they decided that there was no benefit from annual screening chest x-rays.
Today x-ray technology has greatly improved with much lower radiation dosage to a person.
I have noticed my patient's lung cancer is being diagnosed much later than would have been liked, usually when the person has more than one symptom. If caught early and is small, in a single location a person has a good survival rate from lung cancer.
My Sister was a longtime smoker and quit in her early 50s. When 65 she developed respiratory symptoms resembling bronchitis. They did a chest x-ray and she had extensive cancer through out one of her lungs. They did surgery but it was not successful and honestly had little chance of being successful. She died 2 months later. To bad she did not have screening x-rays in her late 50's.
IMHO I believe screening chest x-rays should be brought back, no necessarily annually, maybe 2-3 years apart. Especially for those who are/have been smokers or have a family history of lung cancer.
It is true the earlier you detect any cancer the better the long term survival.
Some of you Boomers, like myself, will remember the Doctor and American Cancer Society TV ads pushing to have annual screening chest x-rays.
Then they decided the amount of radiation from annual chest x-ray could be bad. And they decided that there was no benefit from annual screening chest x-rays.
Today x-ray technology has greatly improved with much lower radiation dosage to a person.
I have noticed my patient's lung cancer is being diagnosed much later than would have been liked, usually when the person has more than one symptom. If caught early and is small, in a single location a person has a good survival rate from lung cancer.
My Sister was a longtime smoker and quit in her early 50s. When 65 she developed respiratory symptoms resembling bronchitis. They did a chest x-ray and she had extensive cancer through out one of her lungs. They did surgery but it was not successful and honestly had little chance of being successful. She died 2 months later. To bad she did not have screening x-rays in her late 50's.
IMHO I believe screening chest x-rays should be brought back, no necessarily annually, maybe 2-3 years apart. Especially for those who are/have been smokers or have a family history of lung cancer.
robvious
Member
I just passed my 4th anniversary last month... my cancer fun started in 2015 - Colon-rectal stage 3... spent my 50th birthday getting chemo... 2018 had top of my lower right lobe removed to get rid of the cancerous shadow that "wiggled" in the ct scan at the time I was to go from 3 month checks to 6 month checks... I am once again at the 6 month check phase.. and with the exception of some skin cancer, I have been a NED...
it is possible to go cancer free for quite a while..
it is possible to go cancer free for quite a while..
My brother had half a lung removed due to cancer, most likely from smoking. That was 15 years ago and as far as I know, he's still kicking around this blue green ball we call home. Still smoking, too.
sousana
Member
My mother went into LAFB 633rd medical group for a routine procedure for a hernia, the anesthesiologist took x-rays, then went to see the doctor who came over to my mother, said the anesthesiologist noticed a mass on her upper left lung. After more x-rays and testing it was deemed to be cancer on the upper quarter of her left lung. Surgery done at Portsmouth Naval Hospital where they removed the upper left quarter of her lung, this was in 2013, doing fine now.
ACORN
Member
Not exactly on topic, but my Dad was diagnosed with stage 3 pancreatic cancer in Sept 2012. He had had prostate cancer in 1986.
He underwent chemo, surgery, radiation I believe, and more chemo.
In Feb 2018 he went for a cancer screening and it came back clean.
My whole family was afraid one of his screenings would come back showing cancer, but he fought it for 5 years. Never once said “Why me?”. His only concern was for my Mother. “What will happen to May(my Mom)?”
He had been having circulation problems in his leg and went in to the hospital for leg pain.
Drs decided he needed a pacemaker for his heart. He died on the operating table. His heart stopped.
All my life Dad never went to church. Until his PC diagnosis. He became a Catholic as my Mom was and still is.
I don’t know Oldster if you’re asking for yourself or another but if you need an outlet drop me a PM. I’d be glad to help if I can.
He underwent chemo, surgery, radiation I believe, and more chemo.
In Feb 2018 he went for a cancer screening and it came back clean.
My whole family was afraid one of his screenings would come back showing cancer, but he fought it for 5 years. Never once said “Why me?”. His only concern was for my Mother. “What will happen to May(my Mom)?”
He had been having circulation problems in his leg and went in to the hospital for leg pain.
Drs decided he needed a pacemaker for his heart. He died on the operating table. His heart stopped.
All my life Dad never went to church. Until his PC diagnosis. He became a Catholic as my Mom was and still is.
I don’t know Oldster if you’re asking for yourself or another but if you need an outlet drop me a PM. I’d be glad to help if I can.
I am at 18 months since lower left lung lobectomy. Early detection is so important.
michael1000
US Veteran
I had lymphoma back in 1979; did the radiation treatments and have been clean and clear since. For the last couple years I've been battling bladder cancer. Have done a couple courses of BCG treatments and am now on the "every 6 months" checkup. After June of this year, I will be on the "every 12 months" checkup routine.
Early detection is the best defense, and medical science does wonders now a days!
Early detection is the best defense, and medical science does wonders now a days!
I, too, am a survivor. Small cell, prostate. Stage IV, Gleason 10. Bad stuff. Five years now. A miracle.
Early detection (which I did not have as small cell metastasizes so aggressively) as others have said, is key. Ask your doc to recommend screening tests. If there is a family history of cancer, that could be enough for the doc to recommend. Or, pay extra if need be if not included in your coverage.
Re lung cancer, I think annual chest X-rays are a good idea.
Early detection (which I did not have as small cell metastasizes so aggressively) as others have said, is key. Ask your doc to recommend screening tests. If there is a family history of cancer, that could be enough for the doc to recommend. Or, pay extra if need be if not included in your coverage.
Re lung cancer, I think annual chest X-rays are a good idea.
Lung cancer is the #1 killer in terms of cancer. Sooner or later it comes back.
bigwheelzip
Absent Comrade
Re: Early detection. Two months ago Medicare approved prophylactic Lung Cancer screening via Low-dose CAT scans, for smokers and ex-smokers.
A cousin got one last week, and they saw a small spot to follow-up on.
CMS Expands Coverage of Lung Cancer Screening with Low Dose Computed Tomography | CMS
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