Stage IV Lung Cancer Prognosis

Stage IV Non-Small-cell Lung Cancer.
Because the
cancer that has spread usually can not be surgically removed and is not limited simply treated with radiation chemotherapy. Patients with stage IV NSCLC who had not received any treatment lived an average of 4 to 5 months, and about 10% survive one year after diagnosis.
About NSCLC Treatment Information
Cancer treatment may consist of chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or a combination of treatment techniques. Combining two or more of these treatment techniques has become an important approach to prolong survival and improve the patient's chance for cure.

In some cases, participation in a clinical trial utilizing new, innovative therapies may provide the most promising treatments. Treatment may be available through clinical trials discussed in the section titled Strategies to Improve Treatment.

Unique to each patient's situation influence which treatment or treatments that are used condition. The potential benefits of multi-modality care, participation in clinical trials, or standard treatment must be carefully balanced with potential risks.
        * Chemotherapy for
Stage IV NSCLC
Chemotherapy uses drugs that kill rapidly dividing cells, a hallmark of
cancer. Cancer chemotherapy may consist of a single drug or drug combination.

        * Targeted Therapy for
Stage IV NSCLC
A targeted therapy is one that is designed to treat only the
cancer cells and minimize damage to normal, healthy cells. Cancer treatments that "target" cancer cells may offer the advantage of reduced treatment-related side effects and better results.

        
* Treatment of the Elderly
Some doctors believe that the risk of side effects outweigh the benefits of chemotherapy for elderly patients are thought to have a shorter life expectancy.

However, large clinical trials have shown that chemotherapy prolongs survival among older people with NSCLC, although it may be underused in these patients. Analysis of data from 14,875 patients diagnosed with NSCLC revealed that those aged over 75 were significantly less likely to receive chemotherapy, but life is significantly better for patients who received chemotherapy with platinum-based drugs
        * Managing Bone Complications of NSCLC
NSCLC cells commonly spread to bone, causing bone metastases. Bone metastases can cause pain, bone loss, increase the risk of fracture, and life-threatening condition characterized by high levels of calcium in the blood, called hypercalcemia.

Bisphosphonate drugs can effectively prevent bone loss that occurs from bone metastases, reduce the risk of fractures, and pain decreased.
        
* Managing Anemia in NSCLC
Cancer patients, especially those receiving chemotherapy, often suffer from anemia. Severe anemia must be treated and may require hospital and blood transfusion, associated risks, including infection and higher medical costs. In addition, anemia can delay the provision of treatment or dose reduction causes, impeding optimal treatment benefits.

Medications such as Aranesp ® (darbepoetin alfa) and Procrit ® (epoetin alfa) stimulate the body to produce more red blood cells and can be used to treat anemia caused by chemotherapy in
cancer patients.

        * Strategies to Improve Treatment of
Stage IV NSCLC
Enrolled patients with previously untreated advanced or recurrent non-squamous NSCLC. Compared with patients treated with Gemzar and Platinol alone, patients treated with Gemzar and Platinol plus Avastin had improved progression-free survival.


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