Stage Three Lung Cancer Prognosis

Stage three lung cancer occurs when the cancer has spread to the lung lining or chest cavity. Treatments such as radiation, surgery or chemotherapy are still available to the patient. The third stage of lung cancer is divided into two sects of diagnosis: 3A and 3B.

Stage Three Explanation

• Stage three lung cancer means the cancer cells have spread to other parts of the lung and chest cavity, and quite probably the lymph nodes. Prognosis diminishes depending on if a patient is categorized with 3A or 3B lung cancer. While treatments are still available in stage three, there is a disparity between the overall life prognosis for those in 3A and 3B stages. Patients in stage three generally have a discouraging prognosis.

3A Prognosis

• 3A stage patients have an overall prognosis of 23% for the next five years, though this might vary widely from patient to patient. The tumors might be large or normal size, and have spread to the lung lining and lymph nodes but are only contained within one side of the body.

3A Treatment

• Stage three lung cancer has such a poor prognosis that everyone within this category should consider being clinical trial patients for new treatments. Traditional medicine is still considered, such as surgery, surgery combined with chemotherapy, combining chemotherapy with medicines, and radiation treatment. If the cancer is considered inoperable, the doctors can administer a round of chemotherapy.

3B Prognosis

• Stage 3B of lung cancer is generally considered to be much more invasive and poor in prognosis. The patient only has a 5% to 10% prognosis of survival during the next five years. It is considered to be advanced lung cancer, and it includes tumors present in the lungs, distant lymph nodes and other parts of the chest such as the esophagus or heart. In addition to rapid tumor growth and spreading, the patient exhibits a malignant pleural effusion, which is a concentration of fluid containing cancer cells between layers lining the lungs.

3B Treatment

• 3B lung cancer is incurable, but it is still treatable. Stage 3B cancer is generally inoperable, and a combination of chemotherapy and radiation treatment is generally pursued. Roughly 13 months after initial 3B cancer treatment, 50% of patients are deceased.

Conclusion

• 3A and 3B are dangerous stages of lung cancer. Chances of survival are diminished but not totally erased. Survival depends upon treatment and the course of the cancer's advancement throughout the body.