What Is the Average Emphysema Life Expectancy?
The average emphysema life expectancy is rarely more than four years beyond diagnosis. By the time emphysema is diagnosed, the disease usually has already advanced to a severe stage. Emphysema is often caused by smoking and is common among elderly men. Clinical tests will provide a somewhat accurate estimate for emphysema life expectancy, though the prognosis also depends on follow-up treatment. Such treatments do not cure emphysema, but rather relieve emphysema symptoms and extend life expectancy slightly. An early diagnosis might help to lengthen the average emphysema life expectancy. Even when diagnosed early, however, survival far beyond four years after diagnosis is generally not common. The disease is diagnosed at four different stages of development, i.e., stage one, two, three, and four. These numbers refer to “mild,” “moderate,” “severe,” and “very severe,” respectively.