Survival rates for prostate cancer

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. If you would rather not read the survival rates, skip to the next section.

The 5-year relative survival rate compares the number of people who are still alive 5 years after their cancer was found to the survival of others the same age who don't have cancer. Of course, patients might live more than 5 years after diagnosis. These 5-year survival rates are based on men with prostate cancer first treated more than 5 years ago. Treatment has gotten better since then and for recently diagnosed patients this may result in a better outlook.

According to the most recent data, when including all men with prostate cancer:

• The relative 5-year survival rate is nearly 100%
• The relative 10-year survival rate is 98%
• The 15-year relative survival rate is 91%

Survival rates by stage

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) keeps a database of survival statistics for different types of cancer. This database does not group prostate cancers by AJCC stage but instead divides them into local, regional, and distant stages.

Local stage means that there is no sign that the cancer has spread outside of the prostate. This is like AJCC stages I and II. About 4 out of 5 prostate cancers are found in this early stage. If the cancer has spread from the prostate to nearby areas, it is called regional disease. This includes cancers that are stage III and the stage IV cancers that haven't spread to distant parts of the body. Distant stage includes the rest of the stage IV cancers – all cancers that have spread to distant lymph nodes, bone, or other organs.

5-year relative survival by stage at the time of diagnosis

While these numbers give you an overall picture, keep in mind that every man is unique and the statistics can't predict exactly what will happen in your case. Talk with your cancer care team if you have questions about your own chances of a cure, or how long you might expect to live. They know your situation best.