How Long Will I Live with Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma?

Anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) is a potentially curable cancer. The life expectancy of a patient diagnosed with ALCL varies greatly and depends on a multitude of factors including:

• The patient's age
• The patient's overall health
• The subtype of ALCL a patient has
• The stage of disease at diagnosis
• The patient's response to treatment

What Do Statistics Say About the Life Expectancy for Someone With Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma? 

A 5-year survival rate is a statistic used in cancer research to describe the percentage of individuals diagnosed with a disease who are still alive 5 years after their diagnosis. It is a commonly used measure to assess the prognosis or outcome of a specific disease, and it provides valuable information about the likelihood of survival over a defined period of time. The higher the survival rate, the more favorable the outcome. According to the American Cancer Society, the 5 year survival rate for children with an early stage ALCL is about 90%. ALCL is more likely to be advanced at the time it is diagnosed, for which the childhood 5 year survival rate is 60-75%. In adults with ALK-positive ALCL, the 5 year survival rate is between 70 to 90%. For adults with ALK-negative ALCL, the 5 year survival rate is between 35-50%. 

However, these statistics are based on people diagnosed and treated more than five years ago, and may not represent the current scenario as treatment methods for ALCL continue to improve over time.

What Factors Affect Prognosis for Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma?

• Age: Younger patients generally have a better prognosis than older patients. This is partly because younger patients are often healthier and better able to withstand aggressive treatments. ALCL is rare in elderly individuals, and when it does occur in this age group, the prognosis can be less well-defined. Some elderly patients may have comorbid health conditions that affect their ability to tolerate intensive treatments, which can impact their prognosis. However, the overall rarity of ALCL in older adults makes it less studied in this population.
• Health status: Patients who are otherwise healthy may have a better prognosis compared to those with other underlying health conditions. The presence of other health conditions can complicate treatment and may limit the types of therapies that can be used.
• ALCL subtype: There are several subtypes of ALCL, including ALK-positive, ALK-negative, primary cutaneous ALCL and breast implant-associated ALCL. The prognosis can vary depending on the subtype. ALK-positive generally has a better prognosis than ALK-negative while primary cutaneous has a 10-year overall survival greater than 90% even when there is local lymph node involvement.
• Stage of disease at diagnosis: Like most cancers, ALCL is most treatable when it's detected early. Patients with early-stage disease generally have a better prognosis than those with advanced disease.
• Response to treatment: Patients who respond well to initial treatment often have a better prognosis than those who don't.

It's important to remember that these are general factors and the prognosis can vary greatly from person to person. It's also important to note that survival rates are improving as new treatments are developed. Each patient's case is unique and should be discussed with their healthcare provider. Having an ALCL specialist on your team provides you with the best way of truly understanding your prognosis. Visit HealthTree's ALCL Specialist Directory to find an ALCL expert near you. You can also join HealthTree's social media platform, HealthTree Connect to meet other ALCL patients and learn what they've done personally to live longer with ALCL. 

Want to Learn More About Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma?

Keep reading HealthTree for ALCL's 101 pages!

What is Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma?

How is Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma Diagnosed?

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma?

How is Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma Staged and Classified?

What are Treatments for Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma?