How many years can targeted drugs be used to treat advanced lung cancer?

The duration of targeted drugs in the late stage of lung cancer varies depending on individual differences and specific drugs. Generally, it can maintain life for 3-5 years, but the specific duration requires comprehensive consideration of multiple factors. After taking targeted drugs in the late stage of lung cancer, the survival period can be extended to varying degrees. If it is sensitive to targeted drugs and has good efficacy, the survival period can be as long as 3-5 years, or even longer. However, some patients may have a shorter survival period of about 1 year due to severe illness or insensitivity to drugs. There are also a few who respond very well to drugs and can achieve long-term survival.

1. Applicability of targeted therapy: Targeted therapy is a treatment for abnormalities in driver genes that are unique to and dependent on lung cancer, and is mainly applicable to non-small cell lung cancer. Its treatment efficiency is relatively high, reaching about 70%, and the 5-year survival rate is about 30%. Different types of gene mutations respond differently to targeted drugs. For example, after using targeted drugs, patients with advanced lung cancer with EGFR positive mutations have an overall survival of 3-5 years; patients with ALK positive mutations have a better effect of targeted therapy, with a statistical median survival of more than 7 years; patients with ROS1 positive mutations use targeted therapy, and their statistical median survival is about 4 years.

2. Individual differences and drug selection: The survival of patients with advanced lung cancer taking targeted drugs is affected by many factors, including individual differences of patients, biological characteristics of tumors, selection of targeted drugs and treatment effects. Different targeted drugs have very different drug resistance times in people with different gene mutation backgrounds. Some patients may develop drug resistance after taking targeted drugs for a period of time, resulting in a decrease in treatment effects. At this time, it is necessary to adjust the treatment plan or change the drug.

3. Comprehensive treatment and extended survival: In addition to targeted therapy, advanced lung cancer can also be treated with comprehensive treatments such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy to further prolong survival.

During the treatment, you should maintain a positive attitude, cooperate with the doctor's treatment, and pay attention to strengthening nutrition and enhancing resistance to improve treatment outcomes and quality of life.