Lung cancer is one of the most common types of cancer. A person’s outlook with lung cancer depends on the type of disease they have, the stage at diagnosis, and their overall health.

Lung cancer is localized when it has not spread beyond the lungs.

However, over time, it may spread, or metastasize, to other parts of the body. The outlook for localized lung cancer is better than it is for metastasized lung cancer.

Receiving a diagnosis of lung cancer can be challenging and may leave someone with many questions. This article will take a look at how quickly lung cancer can spread and how that affects a person’s outlook with the condition.

Healthcare professionals broadly classify lung cancer as one of two types: small cell lung cancer (SCLC) or non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Different types of lung cancer grow at different rates.

NSCLC accounts for about 80% to 85% of lung cancer cases. SCLC is less common than NSCLC at about about 10% to 15%, but it tends to spread faster. On average, doctors also tend to diagnose SCLC at a later stage.

Lung cancer is more treatable in the early stages, but early detection is relatively uncommon. Approximately 53% of all lung cancers have metastasized by the time a doctor diagnoses the condition.

That number goes up in the case of SCLC. The American Cancer Society (ACS) report that two out of three cases of SCLC have already spread beyond the lungs by the time of diagnosis.

The American Lung Association (ALA) estimates that providing screening for people at high risk of lung cancer could reduce the lung cancer mortality rate by around 20%.

Risk factors for lung cancer include being a current or past smoker and being between 50 and 80 years of age.

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To learn whether or not lung cancer has spread, a healthcare professional may order tests such as:

  • blood tests
  • chest X-rays
  • MRI scans
  • CT scans
  • PET scans
  • bone scans

These tests will help them determine whether the cancer is localized to the lungs and chest or has spread to other areas of the body.

In the early stages, lung cancer may spread to nearby lymph nodes but remain within the chest cavity.

However, over time, lung cancer may spread to more distant parts of the body through the process of metastasis. The most common sites in the body for lung cancer metastases to appear are:

  • the liver
  • the bones
  • the brain
  • the adrenal glands in the kidneys

Lung cancer cells can spread into nearby tissue in the chest or spread throughout the body through blood vessels or the lymphatic system.

A person’s outlook depends on the specific type of lung cancer they have, the stage at diagnosis, and their overall health.

Between 2014 and 2020, the overall 5-year survival rate for lung cancer in the United States was 26.7%, according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI).

This means that about 1 out of 4 people with lung cancer will live for 5 years or longer after diagnosis.

The outlook improves when a doctor diagnoses and treats lung cancer early. The NCI adds that 63.7% of people who receive a diagnosis of localized lung cancer will live for 5 years or longer following diagnosis.

As diagnosis and treatment strategies improve, more people with the condition survive for a decade or longer with the condition.

The survival rates for NSCLC are higher than they are for SCLC.

NSCLC

The ACS reports that among people who received a diagnosis of NSCLC from 2012 to 2018, the 5-year survival rate was:

  • 65% for localized NSCLC
  • 37% for NSCLC that had spread to nearby tissues
  • 9% for NSCLC that had spread to distant parts of the body

The overall 5-year survival rate for people with NSCLC was 28%.

SCLC

The ACS report that among people who received a diagnosis of SCLC from 2012 to 2018, the 5-year survival rate was:

  • 30% for localized SCLC
  • 18% for SCLC that had spread to nearby tissues
  • 3% for SCLC that had spread to distant parts of the body

The overall 5-year survival rate for people with SCLC was 7%.

Early diagnosis and treatment for lung cancer improve survival rates. Without treatment, the outlook for lung cancer is negative.

However, research into the specific statistics for this issue is lacking. Two older reviews examined the mortality rates in people with lung cancer who did not receive treatment.

A 2013 review of studies found that the average survival time for people with NSCLC who do not receive treatment is just over 7 months. A 2012 review found that the survival time for untreated SCLC is in the range of 2 to 4 months.

A person’s cancer care team can help them weigh the potential benefits and risks of getting treatment. They may consider the following factors:

  • what type and stage of lung cancer the person has
  • their age and overall health
  • their personal preferences and goals

Treatment may improve survival but can cause side effects that lower quality of life.

Lung cancer is an aggressive form of cancer that spreads rapidly. Survival rates are improving but remain low, particularly for small cell lung cancer (SCLC).

Early diagnosis and treatment improve a person’s likelihood of living for 5 years or longer with lung cancer.

People who smoke or used to smoke need to consult a doctor about whether or not lung cancer screening is right for them.

Receiving a lung cancer diagnosis can be scary, but support is available. A person can connect with their healthcare team to learn more about strategies to slow the spread of lung cancer and improve their outlook.