Cancer survival rate?
“Cancer survival rate” usually refers to the 5-year relative survival rate, which compares people with cancer to people without cancer. Survival depends heavily on the type of cancer, stage at diagnosis, treatment, and overall health. Below is a general overview of typical ranges (based on common international statistics such as those from the American Cancer Society or similar sources). These are approximate values, since exact numbers vary by country and year.
General Cancer Survival Rates (Approximate 5-Year Relative Survival)
Cancers with Higher Survival Rates
| Cancer Type | Approx. 5-Year Survival |
|---|---|
| Prostate cancer | ~97–100% (localized) |
| Thyroid cancer | ~98% |
| Breast cancer (female) | ~90% overall; ~99% for localized |
| Melanoma (skin) | ~93% (localized >99%) |
| Testicular cancer | ~95%+ |
Cancers with Moderate Survival Rates
| Cancer Type | Approx. 5-Year Survival |
|---|---|
| Colorectal cancer | ~65% (localized up to 90%) |
| Cervical cancer | ~66% |
| Bladder cancer | ~77% |
| Kidney cancer | ~75% |
Cancers with Lower Survival Rates
| Cancer Type | Approx. 5-Year Survival |
|---|---|
| Lung cancer (overall) | ~25% (non-small cell higher, small cell lower) |
| Stomach cancer | ~32% |
| Ovarian cancer | ~50% (varies by stage) |
| Esophageal cancer | ~20% |
| Pancreatic cancer | ~12% or lower |
Why survival rates vary
Survival depends on:
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Stage at diagnosis (early-stage cancers have much higher survival)
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Cancer subtype (e.g., small-cell vs non-small-cell lung cancer)
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Treatment options available
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Age & overall health
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Biological aggressiveness of the tumor
If you want more precise data
I can give up-to-date survival rates for:
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A specific cancer type
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A specific country
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A specific stage (Stage I–IV)
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