Rectal Cancer Survival Rates

Rectal cancer survival rates refer to the percentage of people who are still alive for a specific period of time after their diagnosis. The survival rates presented here are based on the relative survival rate, which measures the survival of people with rectal cancer in comparison to the general population. For people with rectal cancer, the overall 5-year relative survival rate for 1996-2002 was 64.1 percent. When considering any disease, including rectal cancer, survival rates cannot be used to predict the outcome for a particular patient.

 

What Are Rectal Cancer Survival Rates?

Rectal cancer survival rates indicate the percentage of people who survive the disease for a specific period of time after their diagnosis. In most cases, statistics refer to the 5-year survival rate. The 5-year rectal cancer survival rate is the percentage of people who are alive 5 years after their diagnosis, whether they have few or no signs or symptoms of rectal cancer, are free of disease, or are receiving treatment.
 
The rectal cancer survival rates included in this article are based on large groups of people; they cannot be used to predict what will happen to a particular patient. No two patients are exactly alike -- rectal cancer treatment and responses to treatment vary greatly. The survival rates discussed in this article reflect national statistics that combine data from cases of both colon and rectal cancer.
 

Factors Influencing Rectal Cancer Survival Rates

In general, rectal cancer survival rates will depend on:
 
  • The stage of rectal cancer (see Rectal Cancer Stages)
  • The patient's age and general health.
  • Whether the cancer has just been diagnosed or has come back.
     
(Rectal Cancer Survival Rates Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD