Where do you get 18% number from? My AJCC chart lists around 30% for stage IV five year survival. Like others have said, the staging doesn't take into consideration other health issues and many other variables. We have had many discussions in the past over this issue you may wish to do a word search in the archives. The statistics are also lagging behind advances in treatment. What does the doctor tell you? Mine gave me an 80% chance of 5 year survival - I like her numbers a lot better!

There have been stage I & II patients here who have died and Stage III & IV who have survived. Keep a positive attitude. Stay in the "now" and take it one day at a time. Ignore the statistics.

My tumor wasn't non-resectable but they recommended against the surgery as being too invasive and causing too many quality of life issues. The radiation and chemo were sufficient and I am 25 months cancer free today.

You may wish to consider anti-anxiety meds. I took them for months myself. Being a caregiver, in many ways, is tougher then having cancer.