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Will I Survive?

Will I Survive?

December 30, 2021
Sanjay Juneja, MD
Sanjay Juneja, MD

Medical Oncology

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Transcript

Colorectal cancer has a relatively high survival rate. For cancer that has not spread, so it’s still localized, the five-year survival rate is actually 91%. Regional colorectal cancer has a five-year survival rate of 72%. So they have lymph nodes, but it’s still in the area. However, distant colorectal cancer, which has spread to other parts of the body has a five-year survival rate of only 14%, though this seems to be getting better now that we’re getting more aggressive with single spots of metastases.

 

Colorectal cancer is most curable when it’s caught at an early stage. In later stages, it’s definitely harder to treat. Your chances of survival depend on the stage that you were diagnosed at, along with other factors. This is why screening for colon cancer is very important per the guidelines.

 

Key Takeaways

1. Colorectal cancer has a relatively high survival rate.

2. For cancer that has not spread (localized) the five-year survival rate is 91%.

3. Regional colorectal cancer (has lymph nodes but still in the area) has a five-year survival rate of 72%.

4. Distant colorectal cancer, which has spread to other parts of the body, has a five-year survival rate of only 14%.

5. Colorectal cancer is most curable when it’s caught at an early stage. This is why screening for colon cancer is very important.