Cancer prognosis is the term used to estimate the outcome of a cancer, in terms of the chances of recovery or recurrence after treatment. To explain better, your treating oncologist may explain your prognosis using the 5-year survival rate which is cancer and stage specific (see Table below).

Click to view NCI video on USA Cancer Survival Statistics

5-year Survival Rate

The term 5-year survival rate refers to the percentage of people who live 5 years or more years after being diagnosed with cancer.  For example, a 5-year survival rate of 90% means that out of 100 people who have the cancer, 90 of them will survive beyond 5 years after treatment.  Do note that these figures are only AVERAGE estimates and some of you may have better results than shown.  In general, early detection and treatment usually results in a better survival rate.  

Cancer Type	Stage at Diagnosis	5 year survival in Malaysia (%)	5 year survival in USA (%)
Breast	I	87.5	99
	II	80.7	93
	III	59.7	72
	IV	23.3	22
Colorectal	I	75.8	92
	II	72.5	65-87
	III	55.6	53-90
	IV	17.3	12
Lung	I	37.1	68-92
	II	17.4	53-60
	III	7.5	13-36
	IV	6.3	1-10
Nasopharynx	I	63.7	72
	II	59.1	64
	III	50.2	62
	IV	26.9	38
Cervix	I	75.3	80-93
	II	52.3	58-63
	III	32.1	32-35
	IV	23	15-16

*National Cancer Registry, National Cancer Institute, Ministry of Health Malaysia (2018). Malaysian Study on Cancer Survival (MySCan)

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