Some people with cancer may want to know the survival rates for their type of cancer. Others may not find the numbers helpful, or may even not want to know them. Whether or not you want to read about survival rates is up to you.
These survival rates are based on patients who were part of the 2008 AJCC Melanoma Staging Database. These are observed survival rates. This means they include some people with melanoma who may have later died from other causes, such as heart disease. So the percentage of people surviving the melanoma itself may be higher.
Stage |
5-year survival |
10-year survival |
IA |
97% |
95% |
IB |
92% |
86% |
IIA |
81% |
67% |
IIB |
70% |
57% |
IIC |
53% |
40% |
IIIA |
78% |
68% |
IIIB |
59% |
43% |
IIIC |
40% |
24% |
IV |
15% to 20% |
10% to15% |
While numbers provide an overall picture, keep in mind that every person's situation is unique and that statistics can't predict exactly what will happen in your case. Many factors other than the stage can also affect a person's outlook, such as the genetic changes in the cancer cells, the patient’s age, other health issues, and how well the cancer responds to treatment. Talk with your cancer care team if you have questions about your own chances of a cure, or how long you might survive your cancer. They know your situation best.
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