Rectal Cancer Survival Rates (Cont.)

Overall Rectal Cancer Survival Rates

Survival rates can be calculated by different methods for different purposes. The survival rates presented here are based on the relative survival rate. The relative survival rate measures the survival of people with rectal cancer in comparison to the general population to estimate the effect of cancer. The overall 5-year relative rectal cancer survival rate for 1996-2002 was 64.1 percent. The 5-year relative rectal cancer survival rates by race and sex were:
 
  • 66.0 percent for white men
  • 64.2 percent for white women
  • 55.6 percent for black men
  • 53.9 percent for black women.
     

Rectal Cancer Survival Rates Based on Stage

The rectal cancer stage plays a role in rectal cancer survival rates. Based on historical data:
 
  • 39 percent of rectal cancer cases are diagnosed while the cancer is still confined to the primary site (localized stage)
     
  • 37 percent of rectal cancer cases are diagnosed after the cancer has spread to regional lymph nodes or directly beyond the primary site
     
  • 19 percent of rectal cancer cases are diagnosed after the cancer has already metastasized (distant stage)
     
  • 5 percent of rectal cancer cases had staging information that was unknown.
     
The corresponding 5-year relative rectal survival rates were:
 
  • 90.4 percent for localized
  • 68.1 percent for regional
  • 9.8 percent for distant
  • 34.6 percent for unstaged.
     

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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD