Colo-rectal Cancer Management - Prognosis

Colo-rectal Cancer Management - Prognosis

The Prognosis for Colorectal cancer depends on the stage at which it is diagnosed and the treatment given.

The Survival Rates for Colorectal Cancer

Nine out of 10 people, whose colorectal cancer is found and treated at an early stage, before it has spread, live at least for five years. The 5-year survival rate is the percentage of patients who are alive 5 years after their cancer is detected. Once the cancer has spread to nearby organs or lymph nodes, the 5-year survival rate goes down. Some patients might live more than 5 years after their cancer is detected.

Colon cancer survival rates are based on the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system, which divides stages II and III into sub-stages. Rectal cancer survival is about the same.

• Stage I - 93%
• Stage IIA - 85%
• StageIIB - 72%
• Stage IIIA - 83%
• Stage IIIB - 64%
• Stage IIIC - 44%
• Stage IV - 8%

The statistics give an overall picture and the survival rates could vary for different individuals.