Even with advanced treatment options, the small cell lung cancer (SCLC) survival rate is not as good as it is with other types of lung cancer. SCLC can grow and spread quickly. According to statistics, the likelihood of living for five years after you’ve been diagnosed with SCLC is between 3% and 27%, depending on how advanced the cancer is when it’s found.
While SCLC long-term survival rates can be low, the disease is always treatable. Plus, newer treatment approaches have improved patients' ability to manage the disease and live longer than before. The longest survivors of small cell lung cancer do far exceed the average statistics.
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Stages of Small Cell Lung Cancer
SCLC survival rates depend, in large part, on thestage of cancer:
More advanced small cell lung cancer cases have poorer survival rates than earlier-stage SCLC cases.
SCLC tends to be more aggressive than the most common form of lung cancer,non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC). Because it grows rapidly and often spreads before there are even symptoms of disease, most people are not diagnosed with SCLC until it is at anadvanced stage.
Approximately 60% to 70% of people are already at the extensive stage of SCLC at the time of their diagnosis.
Statistics
Over the past several years, SCLC survival rates have improved with the incorporation ofradiation therapyinto treatment plans.Chemotherapywith radiation therapy, which uses high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors, is considered the standard course of care for SCLC patients.
Prophylactic cranial radiation(PCI) is a form of preventative radiation therapy administered to the head. It kills cells that may have already spread to the cranial area (a common complication with SCLC) but are unable to be detected with scans. PCI is another breakthrough that is offering SCLC patients a chance to live longer, fuller lives.
That is all very good news that shows that small cell lung cancer may respond very well to initial treatment. Unfortunately, though, the long-term prognosis for the disease is still very poor.
Five-Year Survival Rates
These divisions break down into four basic categories:
Researchers look at the survival rates over several decades.
5-Year Survival Rate for SCLC (1975 through 2016)All Stages6.5%Localized27.2%Regionalized16.4%Distant2.9%Unstaged/Unknown8.1%While these numbers are good to know, keep in mind that poorer outcomes from the earlier decades surveyed influence these rates significantly. Mortality rates have been decreasing since the 1970s, with the rate dropping faster in recent years.That means that the odds of a five-year survival are better now than this long-view summary shows.Median Survival RateAnother statistic that your healthcare provider may refer to is themedian survival rate. This is the amount of time at which 50% of people with a condition will have died and 50% are still alive.For patients with limited-stageSCLC, the median survival is 16 to 24 months; for extensive-stage SCLC, the median survival is six to 12 months.The Longest Survivors of Small Cell Lung CancerIt’s important to remember that statistics aren’t everything. There are several examples of people living with SCLC beyond the estimated timelines.For instance, one 58-year-old woman lived for more than seven years with a high quality of life, while undergoing five cycles of low doses of chemotherapy, two cryosurgeries, and botanical drug therapy.In another case, a woman lived in remission for more than 26 years after being diagnosed with SLCL at the age of 38 and receiving chemotherapy and multiple radiation treatments. Another woman, after being diagnosed at 28 years old and undergoing radiation and chemotherapy treatment, went into remission for more than 18 years.Is small cell lung cancer considered terminal?Depending on the stage of cancer, the five-year survival rate for those with SCLC ranges from 3% to 18%.Variables That Affect SurvivalWhile long-term disease-free survival is rare after a diagnosis of small cell lung cancer, it is possible. At the very least, there is a chance to enjoy a longer life than the statistics predict.The possibility of a better small cell lung cancer prognosis depends on variables that differ from person to person.Is small cell lung cancer the worst lung cancer?SCLC is the most aggressive form of lung cancer, but the prognosis depends on the stage of cancer and other individual factors, like pre-existing health conditions, age, and more.Some of the variables that impact SCLC patients include:The stage and spread of cancer:Limited-stage SCLC has a better chance of long-term survival than extensive-stage SCLC. Spread to the brain and liver, in particular, are associated with poorer prognoses.Your age:Younger people tend to live longer than older adults after their diagnosis.Your sex:Survival rates are higher for women at each stage of the disease.Your general health when diagnosed:Being healthy overall (known asperformance status) is associated with longer survival and a better ability to withstand life-saving treatments.Pre-existing health conditions:Underlying problems such asemphysemamay lower small cell lung cancer survival.Complications of lung cancer:Issues such asblood clotscan lower lung cancer survival.Level of LDH or ALK:An increased level of the substances lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) or alkaline phosphatase (ALK), or a low level of sodium in your blood, is associated with poorer survival.Smoking:Continuedsmokingafter a diagnosis of small cell lung cancer likely lowers survival.Beyond the NumbersAs you review these statistics, know that they only tell part of the story. There are many factors that impact your prognosis, some of which you can take control of immediately.Find out about how to maintain your health andbecome your own advocateto ensure you have the opportunity to take advantage of the best treatment options available.SummaryWhile fewer new therapies have been found to treat small cell lung cancer compared to non-small cell lung cancer, the field is changing. Several treatments are currently being evaluated inclinical trials, and these offer hope that small cell lung cancersurvivalwill improve in the future.To fight this disease aggressively, look into participating in these trials, which may include testingtargeted therapies,immunotherapy, and combinations of treatments.
While these numbers are good to know, keep in mind that poorer outcomes from the earlier decades surveyed influence these rates significantly. Mortality rates have been decreasing since the 1970s, with the rate dropping faster in recent years.
That means that the odds of a five-year survival are better now than this long-view summary shows.
Median Survival Rate
Another statistic that your healthcare provider may refer to is themedian survival rate. This is the amount of time at which 50% of people with a condition will have died and 50% are still alive.
For patients with limited-stageSCLC, the median survival is 16 to 24 months; for extensive-stage SCLC, the median survival is six to 12 months.
The Longest Survivors of Small Cell Lung Cancer
It’s important to remember that statistics aren’t everything. There are several examples of people living with SCLC beyond the estimated timelines.
For instance, one 58-year-old woman lived for more than seven years with a high quality of life, while undergoing five cycles of low doses of chemotherapy, two cryosurgeries, and botanical drug therapy.
In another case, a woman lived in remission for more than 26 years after being diagnosed with SLCL at the age of 38 and receiving chemotherapy and multiple radiation treatments. Another woman, after being diagnosed at 28 years old and undergoing radiation and chemotherapy treatment, went into remission for more than 18 years.
Is small cell lung cancer considered terminal?Depending on the stage of cancer, the five-year survival rate for those with SCLC ranges from 3% to 18%.
Is small cell lung cancer considered terminal?
Depending on the stage of cancer, the five-year survival rate for those with SCLC ranges from 3% to 18%.
Variables That Affect Survival
While long-term disease-free survival is rare after a diagnosis of small cell lung cancer, it is possible. At the very least, there is a chance to enjoy a longer life than the statistics predict.
The possibility of a better small cell lung cancer prognosis depends on variables that differ from person to person.
Is small cell lung cancer the worst lung cancer?SCLC is the most aggressive form of lung cancer, but the prognosis depends on the stage of cancer and other individual factors, like pre-existing health conditions, age, and more.
Is small cell lung cancer the worst lung cancer?
SCLC is the most aggressive form of lung cancer, but the prognosis depends on the stage of cancer and other individual factors, like pre-existing health conditions, age, and more.
Some of the variables that impact SCLC patients include:
Beyond the NumbersAs you review these statistics, know that they only tell part of the story. There are many factors that impact your prognosis, some of which you can take control of immediately.Find out about how to maintain your health andbecome your own advocateto ensure you have the opportunity to take advantage of the best treatment options available.
Beyond the Numbers
As you review these statistics, know that they only tell part of the story. There are many factors that impact your prognosis, some of which you can take control of immediately.Find out about how to maintain your health andbecome your own advocateto ensure you have the opportunity to take advantage of the best treatment options available.
As you review these statistics, know that they only tell part of the story. There are many factors that impact your prognosis, some of which you can take control of immediately.
Find out about how to maintain your health andbecome your own advocateto ensure you have the opportunity to take advantage of the best treatment options available.
Summary
While fewer new therapies have been found to treat small cell lung cancer compared to non-small cell lung cancer, the field is changing. Several treatments are currently being evaluated inclinical trials, and these offer hope that small cell lung cancersurvivalwill improve in the future.
To fight this disease aggressively, look into participating in these trials, which may include testingtargeted therapies,immunotherapy, and combinations of treatments.
14 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Cancer Society.Lung cancer survival rates.American Cancer Society.If you have small cell lung cancer.American Cancer Society.Key statistics for lung cancer.Shirasawa M, Fukui T, Kusuhara S et al.Efficacy and risk of cytotoxic chemotherapy in extensive disease-small cell lung cancer patients with interstitial pneumonia.BMC Cancer. 2019;19(1). doi:10.1186/s12885-019-5367-0National Cancer Institute.Small Cell Lung Cancer Treatment (PDQ)–Health Professional Version.National Cancer Institute.Cancer Staging.Howlader N, Noone A, Krapcho M, Miller D, Brest A, Yu M, et al.SEER Cancer Statistics Review. National Cancer Institute.Govindan R, Page N, Morgensztern D, et al.Changing epidemiology of small-cell lung cancer in the United States over the last 30 years: analysis of the surveillance, epidemiologic, and end results database.J Clin Oncol. 2006;24(28):4539-44. doi:10.1200/jco.2005.04.4859Quanwang Li; Tian Zhou; Min Jiang; Kaiwen Hu; Franco Lugnani; Antonio Cueto.A case of unresectable small cell lung cancermore than 7 years of survival treated with cryoablation and low dose chemotherapy.Integrative Cancer Science and Therapeutics. DOI: 10.15761/ICST.1000145Lung Cancer Group.Small Cell Lung Cancer.American Cancer Society.Lung Cancer Survival Rates.Yale Medicine.Small Cell Lung Cancer.American Cancer Society.Small Cell Lung Cancer Survival Rates.National Cancer Institute.Treatment Clinical Trials for Small Cell Lung Cancer.Additional ReadingDemedts I, et al.Treatment of Extensive-stage Small Cell Lung Carcinoma: Current Status and Future Prospects.European Respiratory Journal. 2010. 35(1):292-15. doi:10.1183/09031936.00105009
14 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Cancer Society.Lung cancer survival rates.American Cancer Society.If you have small cell lung cancer.American Cancer Society.Key statistics for lung cancer.Shirasawa M, Fukui T, Kusuhara S et al.Efficacy and risk of cytotoxic chemotherapy in extensive disease-small cell lung cancer patients with interstitial pneumonia.BMC Cancer. 2019;19(1). doi:10.1186/s12885-019-5367-0National Cancer Institute.Small Cell Lung Cancer Treatment (PDQ)–Health Professional Version.National Cancer Institute.Cancer Staging.Howlader N, Noone A, Krapcho M, Miller D, Brest A, Yu M, et al.SEER Cancer Statistics Review. National Cancer Institute.Govindan R, Page N, Morgensztern D, et al.Changing epidemiology of small-cell lung cancer in the United States over the last 30 years: analysis of the surveillance, epidemiologic, and end results database.J Clin Oncol. 2006;24(28):4539-44. doi:10.1200/jco.2005.04.4859Quanwang Li; Tian Zhou; Min Jiang; Kaiwen Hu; Franco Lugnani; Antonio Cueto.A case of unresectable small cell lung cancermore than 7 years of survival treated with cryoablation and low dose chemotherapy.Integrative Cancer Science and Therapeutics. DOI: 10.15761/ICST.1000145Lung Cancer Group.Small Cell Lung Cancer.American Cancer Society.Lung Cancer Survival Rates.Yale Medicine.Small Cell Lung Cancer.American Cancer Society.Small Cell Lung Cancer Survival Rates.National Cancer Institute.Treatment Clinical Trials for Small Cell Lung Cancer.Additional ReadingDemedts I, et al.Treatment of Extensive-stage Small Cell Lung Carcinoma: Current Status and Future Prospects.European Respiratory Journal. 2010. 35(1):292-15. doi:10.1183/09031936.00105009
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Cancer Society.Lung cancer survival rates.American Cancer Society.If you have small cell lung cancer.American Cancer Society.Key statistics for lung cancer.Shirasawa M, Fukui T, Kusuhara S et al.Efficacy and risk of cytotoxic chemotherapy in extensive disease-small cell lung cancer patients with interstitial pneumonia.BMC Cancer. 2019;19(1). doi:10.1186/s12885-019-5367-0National Cancer Institute.Small Cell Lung Cancer Treatment (PDQ)–Health Professional Version.National Cancer Institute.Cancer Staging.Howlader N, Noone A, Krapcho M, Miller D, Brest A, Yu M, et al.SEER Cancer Statistics Review. National Cancer Institute.Govindan R, Page N, Morgensztern D, et al.Changing epidemiology of small-cell lung cancer in the United States over the last 30 years: analysis of the surveillance, epidemiologic, and end results database.J Clin Oncol. 2006;24(28):4539-44. doi:10.1200/jco.2005.04.4859Quanwang Li; Tian Zhou; Min Jiang; Kaiwen Hu; Franco Lugnani; Antonio Cueto.A case of unresectable small cell lung cancermore than 7 years of survival treated with cryoablation and low dose chemotherapy.Integrative Cancer Science and Therapeutics. DOI: 10.15761/ICST.1000145Lung Cancer Group.Small Cell Lung Cancer.American Cancer Society.Lung Cancer Survival Rates.Yale Medicine.Small Cell Lung Cancer.American Cancer Society.Small Cell Lung Cancer Survival Rates.National Cancer Institute.Treatment Clinical Trials for Small Cell Lung Cancer.
American Cancer Society.Lung cancer survival rates.
American Cancer Society.If you have small cell lung cancer.
American Cancer Society.Key statistics for lung cancer.
Shirasawa M, Fukui T, Kusuhara S et al.Efficacy and risk of cytotoxic chemotherapy in extensive disease-small cell lung cancer patients with interstitial pneumonia.BMC Cancer. 2019;19(1). doi:10.1186/s12885-019-5367-0
National Cancer Institute.Small Cell Lung Cancer Treatment (PDQ)–Health Professional Version.
National Cancer Institute.Cancer Staging.
Howlader N, Noone A, Krapcho M, Miller D, Brest A, Yu M, et al.SEER Cancer Statistics Review. National Cancer Institute.
Govindan R, Page N, Morgensztern D, et al.Changing epidemiology of small-cell lung cancer in the United States over the last 30 years: analysis of the surveillance, epidemiologic, and end results database.J Clin Oncol. 2006;24(28):4539-44. doi:10.1200/jco.2005.04.4859
Quanwang Li; Tian Zhou; Min Jiang; Kaiwen Hu; Franco Lugnani; Antonio Cueto.A case of unresectable small cell lung cancermore than 7 years of survival treated with cryoablation and low dose chemotherapy.Integrative Cancer Science and Therapeutics. DOI: 10.15761/ICST.1000145
Lung Cancer Group.Small Cell Lung Cancer.
American Cancer Society.Lung Cancer Survival Rates.
Yale Medicine.Small Cell Lung Cancer.
American Cancer Society.Small Cell Lung Cancer Survival Rates.
National Cancer Institute.Treatment Clinical Trials for Small Cell Lung Cancer.
Demedts I, et al.Treatment of Extensive-stage Small Cell Lung Carcinoma: Current Status and Future Prospects.European Respiratory Journal. 2010. 35(1):292-15. doi:10.1183/09031936.00105009
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