Survival statistics for testicular cancer
Survival statistics for testicular cancer are very general estimates and must be interpreted very carefully. Because these statistics are based on the experience of groups of people, they cannot be used to predict a particular person’s chances of survival.
There are many different ways to measure and report cancer survival statistics. Your doctor can explain the statistics for testicular cancer and what they mean to you.
Net survival
Net survival represents the probability of surviving cancer in the absence of other causes of death. It is used to give an estimate of the percentage of people who will survive their cancer.
In Canada, the 5-year net survival for testicular cancer is 97%. This means that about 97% of men diagnosed with testicular cancer will survive for at least 5 years.
Survival by stage
Testicular cancer often responds well to cancer treatments and has a very good outcome. Survival varies with each stage of testicular cancer. The following factors (whether the cancer is localized, regional or distant) can also affect survival for testicular cancer. Generally, the earlier testicular cancer is diagnosed and treated, the better the outcome.
Survival by stage of testicular cancer is reported as 5-year relative survival. Relative survival looks at how likely people with cancer are to survive after their diagnosis compared to people in the general population who do not have cancer, but who share similar characteristics (such as age and sex).
There are no specific Canadian statistics available for the different stages of testicular cancer. The following information comes from a variety of sources and may include statistics from other countries. Survival statistics for testicular cancer are grouped by where the cancer has spread.
|
Stage |
5-year relative survival |
|
|---|---|---|
|
localized |
The cancer is only in the testicle. |
99% |
|
regional |
The cancer has only spread to lymph nodes in the back of the abdomen (retroperitoneum). |
96% |
|
distant |
The cancer has spread to organs or lymph nodes farther from the testicle (such as the lungs). |
73% |
Questions about survival
Talk to your doctor about your prognosis. A prognosis depends on many factors, including:
- your health history
- the type of cancer
- the stage
- certain characteristics of the cancer
- the treatments chosen
- how the cancer responds to treatment
Only a doctor familiar with these factors can put all of this information together with survival statistics to arrive at a prognosis.