Pancreatic Cancer Prognosis (Cont.)

Pancreatic Cancer Prognosis: Five-Year Survival Rates

Survival rates can be calculated by different methods for different purposes. The pancreatic cancer survival rates presented here are based on the relative survival rate. The relative survival rate measures the survival of cancer patients in comparison to the general population to estimate the effect of cancer. The overall five-year relative pancreatic cancer survival rate for 1995-2001 was 4.6 percent. The five-year relative pancreatic cancer survival rates by race and sex were:
 
  • 4.7 percent for white men
  • 4.2 percent for white women
  • 2.9 percent for black men
  • 5.6 percent for black women.
 

Pancreatic Cancer Prognosis: Stage Impact

The stage of the cancer plays a role in the pancreatic cancer prognosis. Based on historical data:
 
  • 7 percent of pancreas cancer cases are diagnosed while the cancer is still confined to the primary site (localized stage).
 
  • 26 percent of pancreas cancer cases are diagnosed after the cancer has spread to regional lymph nodes or directly beyond the primary site.
 
  • 52 percent of pancreas cancer cases are diagnosed after the cancer has already metastasized (distant stage).
 
  • 14 percent of pancreas cancer cases had staging information that was unknown.
 
The corresponding five-year relative survival rates were:
 
  • 16.4 percent for localized
  • 7.0 percent for regional
  • 1.8 percent for distant
  • 4.3 percent for unstaged.
 

Pancreatic Cancer Prognosis: Final Thoughts

Patients with pancreatic cancer and their loved ones face many unknowns. Some people find that it is easier to cope with pancreatic cancer 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 the patient's situation is in the best position to discuss the pancreatic cancer prognosis and to explain what the statistics concerning pancreatic cancer may mean for that person.
 
At the same time, it is important to understand that even the doctor cannot tell a patient 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 pancreatic cancer prognosis is a personal decision -- it is up to each patient to decide how much information he or she wants to know.
 
(Click Pancreatic Cancer Statistics for more statistics concerning pancreatic cancer.)
 
 
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD