What are the patients symptoms of terminal Lung Cancer?

Answer 1

I was diagnosed with extensive Small Cell Lung Cancer five months ago so this question has a lot of importance to me. I've asked this same question of every doctor that I've met with over the last five months (and there have been quite a few), here is what I've been told. Lung cancer likes to spread to other parts of the body, particuarily the liver, brain and spine. Depending upon where the cancer spreads to and how fast it grows will determine what specifically kills me. I can expect to live another three to four months if my survial rate is "average" for SCLC (non small cell lung cancer patients last longer). I should expect to lose my appetite, lose a lot of weight, and again, depending upon where the cancer spreads to, experience quite a bit of pain that will require IV medications for relief. A lot depends upon a patients age and general health. I'm only 58 years old and my health is good, I've had minimal side effects from chemotherapy and radiation therapy, this probably means that I'll last a bit longer than someone who is older and has other health issues, but it also means that it gives the cancer more time to spread to other parts of my body. From what I've been told, death by lung cancer can come pretty quickly for some, they are fine one week, sick the next week and dead the following week. Other's last much longer while under hospice care. The bottom line seems to be that the doctors can't tell me how I will die, everyone is different, so much just depends upon where in your body the cancer spreads to and how large the tumors become in that part of the body. I know this doesn't answer your question, but I believe it's the truth.

Answer 2

difficulty breathing and cough blood