Life expectancy - Small Cell Lung Cancer stage 4

Hi everyone,

 

My dad was diagnosed with Stage 4 small cell lung cancer that's spread to at least the kidney (PET scan wasn't done due to his anxiety)  and he started his first round of chemo on the 7th.

 

They told us he has somewhere between 3-11 months.

 

He is 74, smokes about 40 a day (and he is unlikely to reduce that), generally not that healthy and last year had phenomena.

 

His current symptoms are dizzy spells, laboured breathing (on and off), and generally short term memory has started to show signs of being bad. 

 

He had a burst of energy on the 6th may, but is starting to drop again over the last few days.

 

Would like to hear people's similar experiences to mine and dad's to give me an idea on what to expect and how long I might have left with him.

 

Thanks,

 

Dave 

 

  • Hi Dave so sorry to hear about your Dad. I havent got cancer but my 42year old sister got the devastating news on Wednesday that she has small cell lung cancer that has spread to her liver. We are devastated and start chemo on Tuesday. I spoke to the consultant on my own and he told me 2-3 months without Chemo,and maybe 6-8 months with chemo. She is already in so much pain where the cancer is in her liver. Best wishes to you 

  • Hi dave

    How is your dad doing? My has was diagnosed with extensive sclc in December 2020 and today at a scan was told it may have spread to his kidney. He will be having a scan in about 10 weeks to check up on it. He had 3 rounds of chemo and has continued with immunotherapy every 3 weeks since. I was wondering if you could let me know how things have been with your dad and what I may be able to expect with my dad?

  • my dad had this but gave up smoking over 20 years ago, smoked 40 a day - found out in the august, passed away end of january - 76 years old  - body couldnt do intravenous chemo so was prescribed tablets, shrunk it a bit but wasnt going to cure it - stopped treatment