Cancer survival rates are usually discussed in terms of 5-year relative survival, which means the proportion of patients alive five years after diagnosis. Keep in mind that statistics like these are based on large groups of people and cannot predict what might happen with an individual patient. (Also, the most current national data is from patients diagnosed between 2015 and 2019, which doesn’t reflect the impact of the latest treatment advances.)
In the United States, overall survival (including all stages of disease) among people diagnosed with prostate cancer is 96.8%. The National Cancer Institute records survival rates using three very broad categories:
- Localized disease. In patients with early-stage, localized cancers in whom the cancer is confined to the primary site, 5-year survival is 100%.
- Regional disease. Among those whose cancer has spread to regional lymph nodes, the survival is 100%.
- Distant disease. Patients with cancer that has metastasized to other body areas at the time of diagnosis, have a survival rate of 32.3%.
How we maximize your survival and quality of life
As a national leader in cancer care, Roswell Park’s approach includes several key components that optimize survival, outcomes and your quality of life. These include:
- Cutting-edge surgical techniques such as nerve-sparing robotic prostatectomy
- Multispecialty and holistic approach to metastatic disease encompassing the latest treatments, attention to mitigating side effects, and emphasizing the importance of nutrition and exercise.
- Development of new therapies to overcome resistant prostate cancer. In the last five years, we have four clinical trials exclusive to Roswell Park and based on the scientific work conducted here.
We approach each patient as a team and each patient’s treatment plan based on their specific cancer, their overall health status, and their goals. We are always available for our patients and strive to assist them throughout their journey with cancer.
Clinical Chief of Genitourinary Medicine