Stomach Cancer Prognosis (Cont.)

Stomach Cancer Prognosis: Stage Impact

The stage of stomach cancer plays a role in the stomach cancer prognosis. Based on historical data:
 
  • 24 percent of stomach cancer cases are diagnosed while the cancer is still confined to the primary site (localized stage).
 
  • 32 percent are diagnosed after the cancer has spread to regional lymph nodes or directly beyond the primary site.
 
  • 32 percent are diagnosed after the cancer has already metastasized (distant stage).
 
  • 12 percent of cases had staging information that was unknown.
 
The corresponding five-year relative stomach cancer survival rates were:
 
  • 58.0 percent for localized
  • 21.9 percent for regional
  • 3.1 percent for distant
  • 12.4 percent for staging that was unknown.
 

Stomach Cancer Prognosis: Summary

Cancer patients and their loved ones face many unknowns. Some people with stomach cancer find that it is easier to cope with the disease when they know the statistics. Other people find statistical information confusing and frightening, and they think that 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 stomach cancer prognosis and to explain what the statistics may mean for that person. At the same time, it is important to understand that even the doctor cannot tell the 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 stomach cancer prognosis is a personal decision. It is up to each person to decide how much information he or she wants to know and how to deal with it.

(Click Stomach Cancer Statistics for more statistics on stomach cancer.)
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD