Kidney Cancer Prognosis: Stage Impact

The stage of kidney cancer plays a role in the kidney cancer prognosis. Based on historical data:

 

• 53 percent of kidney cancer cases are diagnosed while the cancer is still confined to the primary site (localized stage).

 

• 20 percent of kidney cancer cases are diagnosed after the kidney cancer has spread to regional lymph nodes or directly beyond the primary site.

 

• 22 percent of kidney cancer cases are diagnosed after the cancer has already metastasized (distant stage).

 

• 5 percent of kidney cancer cases had staging information that was unknown.

 

The corresponding five-year relative kidney cancer survival rates were:

 

• 90.6 percent for localized
• 60.3 percent for regional
• 9.7 percent for distant
• 32.2 percent for unstaged.

 

Kidney Cancer Prognosis: Summary

Cancer patients and their loved ones face many unknowns. While some people find that it is easier to cope when they know the statistics, other people find statistical information confusing and frightening, and they think it is too impersonal to be of use to them. The doctor who is most familiar with a patient's situation is in the best position to discuss the kidney cancer prognosis and to explain what the statistics concerning kidney cancer may mean for that person. At the same time, it is important to understand that even the doctor cannot tell exactly what to expect. In fact, a person's prognosis may change if the cancer progresses, or if treatment is successful. Seeking information about the kidney cancer prognosis is a personal decision. It is up to each patient to decide how much information he or she wants to know and how to deal with it.

(Click Kidney Cancer Statistics for more statistics on kidney cancer.)