Survival rates for thyroid 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. Whether or not you want to read about survival rates is up to you. If you do not want to read about the survival rates for thyroid cancer, skip to the next section.

The 5-year survival rate refers to the percentage of patients who live at least 5 years after their cancer is found. Of course, many people live much longer than 5 years (and many are cured).

Five-year relative survival rates are adjusted to account for the fact that some people will die of causes other than their cancer. This is a better way to see the impact that cancer can have on survival.

To get 5-year survival rates, doctors have to look at people who were treated at least 5 years ago. Improved treatments may result in a better outlook for people now being diagnosed with thyroid cancer.

The numbers below come from the AJCC Cancer Staging Manual (7th ed). They are based on the stage of the cancer when the person is first diagnosed.

Papillary thyroid cancer*

*Based on patients diagnosed 1998 to 1999

Follicular thyroid cancer*

*Based on patients diagnosed 1998 to 1999

Medullary thyroid cancer**

**Based on patients diagnosed between 1985 and 1991

Anaplastic thyroid cancer

The 5-year relative survival rate for anaplastic (undifferentiated) cancers, all of which are considered stage IV, is around 7% (based on patients diagnosed between 1985 and 1991).

Numbers provide an overall picture, but keep in mind that every person is unique and that 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 survive your cancer. They know your case best.