What is the survival rate?
The American Cancer Society (ACS) states that the five-year relative survival rate is the percentage of patients who do not die from prostate cancer within five years after the cancer is found. Of course, patients might live more than five years after diagnosis. These five-year survival rates are based on men with prostate cancer first treated more than five years ago. Men treated today may have a more favorable outlook. According to the ACS, overall, 99% of men diagnosed with prostate cancer survive at least five years. Further, 91% survive at least 10 years, and 76% survive at least 15 years. Ninety percent of all prostate cancers are found while they are still within the prostate or only in nearby areas. The five-year relative survival rate for these men is nearly 100%. For the men whose cancer has already spread to distant parts of the body when it is found, 34% will survive at least five years.
