Lung Cancer Mortality Rate

What Is the Mortality Rate of Lung Cancer?

Lung cancer has the highest mortality rate of any type of cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI). In 2025, lung cancer is expected to account for over 20% of all cancer-related deaths.

Many cases of lung cancer are not diagnosed until they are in advanced stages and harder to treat. This is one of several different factors that explain why lung cancer mortality rates are so high.

While it can be scary to know that lung cancer kills so many people, it’s also important to understand that long-term survivorship may be possible. Some lung cancer patients have lived for 20 years or more.

Mortality Rate & Lung Cancer: Quick Facts

• Approximately 64,190 men and 60,540 women will die from lung cancer in 2025, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS).
• Cigarette smoking is responsible for almost 70% of all lung cancer deaths across the globe, as noted by the ACS.
• Lung cancer makes up nearly 90% of deaths stemming from asbestos exposure. Asbestos is another cause of this cancer besides smoking.
• Mortality rates for lung cancer are slowly decreasing since fewer people are smoking and treatment options are improving.

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Lung Cancer Mortality Rates vs. Survival Rates

Lung cancer mortality rates are not the same as survival rates, but the two are related. Doctors determine lung cancer survival rates by measuring the percentage of patients still alive after a set period of time.

Doctors use survival rates, mortality figures, and lung cancer life expectancy statistics to measure prognosis, or a patient’s expected health outlook.

When reviewing these figures, it’s important to remember that they are just averages. Your lung cancer doctors can give you a better idea of what to expect in your specific case.

Asbestos-Related Lung Cancer Mortality Rates

While the vast majority of lung cancer cases are caused or worsened by smoking, many patients pass away from asbestos-related lung cancer. This toxic substance can cause lung cancer in non-smokers and increase a smoker’s chances of getting sick.

Asbestos exposure leads to over 30,000 lung cancer deaths per year, according to the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO). This means that over 27% of lung cancer deaths can be attributed to asbestos.

“An association between asbestos fiber sizes as a strong predictor of lung cancer mortality has been found. Consequently, the U.S. government has taken steps to reduce asbestos use in commercial and industrial projects.”

— Translational Lung Cancer Research

Cases of asbestos-related lung cancer have the same symptoms and prognosis as those where no asbestos exposure occurred.

However, it’s important to consider if a loved one may have been exposed to asbestos if they passed away from lung cancer. You may be able to seek compensation from the asbestos companies that put them in harm’s way while hiding the health risks.

Mortality Rates of Lung Cancer by Type

There are two main types of lung cancer: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC). NSCLC accounts for more lung cancer deaths since it is much more common, even though SCLC is more aggressive.

Explore mortality rates for both types of lung cancer below.

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Mortality Rate

Non-small cell lung cancer is the most common type of lung cancer and the leading cause of lung cancer deaths. NSCLC makes up about 85% of cases, so it has a major impact on how many people die from lung cancer each year.

The average NSCLC 5-year survival rate is 28%. In a study of 18,400 NSCLC patients, nearly 15,000 or 81% of them passed away within 10 months of a diagnosis.

Small Cell Lung Cancer Mortality Rate

Small cell lung cancer is less common than NSCLC, but it grows and spreads much faster. This makes it one of the deadliest forms of lung cancer.

SCLC makes up around 15% of lung cancer cases. Most people are diagnosed after the cancer has already spread, which limits treatment options. The overall 5-year survival rate for SCLC is 20% if caught early on, and 3% if diagnosed after it has spread.

In addition, the 12-week death rate was 27.9% among patients being treated for recurring SCLC (which has come back after treatment) in a 2022 Therapeutic Advances in Medical Oncology study.

What Affects the Lung Cancer Mortality Rate?

Many factors influence lung cancer mortality rates, including patient sex, race, age, cancer stage, and more. Explore how mortality rates for lung cancer change with each of these factors and more below.

Lung Cancer Death Rates By Sex

Lung cancer mortality rates are typically higher in men than in women. According to a report from the ACS, over 64,000 men are projected to die from lung cancer in 2025 compared to over 60,000 women.

Men are twice as likely to develop — and pass away from — lung cancer globally compared to women, according to a Clinical Lung Cancer report from 2024.

However, death rates have declined for both sexes. In fact, the mortality rate of lung cancer among men has dropped by 61% since its peak in 1990, as noted by the ACS.

Lung Cancer Death Rates by Age

Older adults face the highest risk of dying from lung cancer. In 2021, 95% of lung cancer deaths occurred in people aged 55 and older, according to the American Lung Association (ALA).

The ACS notes that most lung cancer patients are diagnosed around the age of 70. However, younger patients tend to have lower death rates because they may qualify for more aggressive lung cancer treatments to extend their lives.

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Lung Cancer Death Rates by Race

Lung cancer death rates were highest among Black males, followed by white and native American males, according to the ALA. However, white females had higher death rates compared to Black and native American females.

Those with Asian, Pacific Islander, or Latino backgrounds had the lowest rates of lung cancer deaths in both sexes.

Lung Cancer Mortality Rates Among Smokers

Smoking is the biggest cause of lung cancer. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that smoking cigarettes is responsible for 80% to 90% of all lung cancer deaths in the U.S.

Across the globe, nearly 70% of lung cancer fatalities are due to smoking, as noted by the ACS.

With that said, rates of smoking and associated lung cancer deaths have been steadily decreasing.

Lung Cancer Mortality Rates by Stage

The stage of lung cancer at diagnosis has a major impact on mortality. When the cancer is found in a localized stage (before it spreads) it’s much easier to treat, so patients can typically live longer.

For NSCLC, the estimated five-year mortality rates by stage are:

• Localized: 35%
• Regional: 63%
• Distant: 91%

For SCLC, the estimated five-year mortality rates by stage are:

• Localized: 70%
• Regional: 82%
• Distant: 97%

These lung cancer mortality rates underscore the importance of seeing a doctor promptly if you think something is wrong. By getting a lung cancer diagnosis as soon as possible, you may be able to get treatments that can help you live longer.

You may also qualify for lung cancer screenings to help catch tumors in an early stage, before they cause any symptoms.

Other Factors Impacting Mortality Rate of Lung Cancer

Besides the factors above, many more elements impact lung cancer mortality rates.

These include:

• How well the cancer responds to treatment: Some cancers resist standard therapies, which makes treatment less effective and increases the chance of death.
• Lung cancer subtypes: Patients may have a subtype of NSCLC or SCLC that could be more or less aggressive, impacting the overall mortality rate for lung cancer.
• Overall health: People with other health conditions or weaker immune systems may not tolerate treatment as well.

Doctors can give you a better idea of what to expect based on the specifics of your case. They’ll also keep you updated as your lung cancer prognosis can change over time.

Lung Cancer Death Rates by State

Lung cancer death rates vary widely across the U.S., and organizations like the ALA track these figures to get a better understanding of the disease.

Here are the 5 states with the highest and lowest lung cancer mortality rates:

While lung cancer death rates are higher in some states than others, it’s important to remember that top doctors can provide high-quality care to help you live as long as possible no matter where you live.

Lung Cancer Survivors Who Have Exceeded Mortality Rates

While mortality rates can be discouraging, it’s important to remember that they don’t reflect each lung cancer patient’s unique situation. In fact, many patients have become lung cancer survivors, living for decades even with advanced cancers.

For example, Jim Pantelas has lived for over 20 years with asbestos-related lung cancer. His cancer had already spread by the time of his diagnosis, but treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation helped him live longer.

“I’ve lived every minute since that diagnosis as if it was an extra gift.”
– Jim Pantelas, asbestos lung cancer survivor

Your doctors can keep a close watch on your treatment plan and adjust it as you move forward. For example, if one treatment stops working, they may be able to recommend another one that can help improve your survival time.

Living Longer With Lung Cancer

Lung cancer mortality statistics show that while many people pass away from this illness, there are still reasons to be hopeful.

In general, lung cancer mortality rates have been decreasing, and you may be able to live a long time depending on how your tumors respond to treatment.

While facing a lung cancer diagnosis can bring a lot of uncertainty, Lung Cancer Group may be able to make the road ahead a little easier.

Work with our team to:

• Find lung cancer treatments that may help you live longer
• Recover compensation to cover medical bills and other costs
• Seek justice for a preventable asbestos lung cancer diagnosis

Get a Free Lung Cancer Guide or call (877) 446-5767 now to find out if we can help you or someone you love after a diagnosis.