Life expectancy with stage 111 non small cell lung cancer

[ritajene]

My sister was diagnoised in Nov. with non small cell lung cancer. She has had symptoms since Jan of the same year. She had a tumor on her larynx and a tumor on her lung that is intwined with the blood vessels going to her heart. No chance of operationg. She has finished 4 months of radiation and 4 months of chemo. The tumor on her larynx has shrunk 60% and no change in the other tumor. They started more chemo this week for another 4 months. Is there a chance she could get worse during chemo and the worst happen? She lost from 110 lbs to 88 lbs.., she now weighs 90 lbs . The cancer has not spread any where else.

[henry124]

i have just been told i have nsclc in the left lung that perhaps may be inoperable-i hope that your sister is well --im not losing lots of weight yet but i have no appatite--i no i should eat but i feel full quick. my wife keeps me going. i just learned of this site and seen your post and wanted to tell u and your sis good luck if not too late. sounds similer to mine.  let me no how you all are doing  thanks

[GeezLouize75]

If she is losing a substantial amount of weight, then I would say the cancer is causing something in her body to not absorb the calories.  That is what happened to my sister.  She would eat and eat and still lose weight.  I bought my sister Ice Cream which as I am sure you know, is very fattening.  If she likes that, buy her some....at this point, anything to keep her weight on is worth trying. Good Luck, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your sis.

[jostephen]

My dad was recently diagnosed with stage 3 non small cell lung cancer as well.  We are trying to remain very positive.  He has no systems and discovered the spot on a chest x-ray because he fell golfing.  He will be receiving chemo and radiation.  I suggest reading the book the Anti-cancer a new way of life.  It talks about many foods and drinks that are essential in actually killing cancer cells directly.  I feel it is infomative.  Best of luck with your sister.  It surely seems to be becoming an epidemic.  

[ritajene]

Thank you, she is in very good spirits. She is 47 and I think she has been in denial until the doctor told her the tumor was still there and no change. I think it has really hit her hard. We suspected she had cancer for a while but when she found out she was in shock, we were all just waiting to see what kind and what stage.She just won't eat and we keep asking her when she is at home when everyone is gone if she eats but she has just been drinking boost to maintain her 92 pounds. She has lost another 1 pound this week. Should we worry about her weight as a sign that she is not healing.

[GeezLouize75]

It is difficult to say what a person's life expectancy is when diagnosed with cancer.  It depends on their toleration of the drugs being used to cure them and whether or not it is treatable at all.  I believe, and I am NO doctor, that attitude and the will to live plays a very important role in beating cancer and determining how well the patient does.  I saw my sister keep a good attitude and believe that she would beat it and she did very well.  Her cancer was Stage IV.  Each person is different and reacts to therapy in different ways.  God Bless you and your sister.  I will keep her in my prayers.