What’s the outlook for people with EGFR lung cancer?
Although there’s no particular cure for lung cancer, it is still treatable. The outlook for people with EGFR lung cancer is improving with the use of targeted therapies. However, while EGFR inhibitors can control cancer progression for months or years, it’s not a cure.
According to the American Cancer Society [6], the 2-year relative survival rate for NSCLC was 34 percent for diagnoses in 2009 through 2010. It increased to 42 percent in 2015 through 2016.
The 5-year relative survival rate for NSCLC is 25 percent.
When looking at lung cancer statistics, it’s important to remember that they’re a glance into the past. These statistics reflect diagnoses and treatments from at least 5 years ago, if not more. That’s before some TKIs were approved.
Your outlook depends on a variety of factors, such as your:
- stage at diagnosis
- age and overall health
- response to treatment
Your doctor will review all your medical information and give you a clearer picture of what to expect.