Prostrate Cancer Survival Rates

One of the most commonly diagnosed cancers, prostate cancer also has high survival rates when detected in the early stages. Here are some statistics about the survival rates of prostate cancer.

Detection

• An enlarged prostate is detected by a digital rectal exam or a prostate specific antigen (PSA) test, which measures a specific protein that may indicate a prostate tumor.

Staging

• Treatment and prognosis depends largely on tumor staging, a measure of how quickly the tumor is growing. Stage I: Very small tumor undetectable by digital rectal exam; Stage II: Small tumor confined to the prostate; Stage III: Tumor extending beyond the prostate but not into the lymph nodes; Stage IV: Large tumor that has spread to the bladder, rectum, bone, lymph nodes or other organs.

Prognosis

• Prognosis depends on the tumor stage, age and overall health. The earlier the tumor is detected, the better the prognosis.

Survival Rates

• Cancer survival rates are measured by the percentage of who live for a specific number of years after diagnosis, typically 5, 10 and 15 years. According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer in the early stages has the following survival rates: 5-year survival is nearly 100 percent; 10-year survival 93 percent; 15-year survival is 77 percent; in advanced cancer with metastasis to other organs, the average survival rate is 1 to 3 years.

Advanced Cancer

• Advanced cancer with metastasis to other organs has an average survival rate of 1 to 3 years.