How long can you live with Stage IV cancer?

According to the American Cancer Society, the survival rate for stage IV cancer depends on the specific type of cancer involved. Many other factors also contribute to an individual patient's prognosis, such as age and overall health. A patient's oncologist is the best source for information on odds of survival.

The 5-year survival rate for stage IV breast cancer, for example, is 22 percent, according to the American Cancer Society. The 5-year survival rate for stage IV non-small cell lung cancer is 1 percent. The stage IV 5-year survival rate for patients with small cell lung cancer is 2 percent.