Survival statistics for small intestine cancer

Survival statistics for small intestine 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 small intestine cancer and what they mean to you.

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, a 5-year net survival statistic is reported for small intestine cancer. The 5-year net survival for small intestine cancer is 54%. This means that about 54% of people diagnosed with small intestine cancer will survive for at least 5 years.

Survival varies with each stage and type of small intestine cancer, as well as whether or not it can be completely removed with surgery (is resectable). The following factors can also affect survival for small intestine cancer.

• Generally, the earlier small intestine cancer is diagnosed and treated, the better the outcome.
• Often small intestine cancer is not found until it is at a later or advanced stage because it doesn’t cause symptoms early on. Later or advanced stage small intestine cancers are more difficult to treat.

The survival statistics below are for the various stages of adenocarcinomas of the small intestine, the most common type of small intestine cancer.

The 5-year survival rate is the percentage of people who are alive at least 5 years after their cancer diagnosis. But people with this type of cancer may live much longer than 5 years.

There are no specific Canadian statistics available for the different stages of small intestine cancer. The following information comes from a variety of sources and may include statistics from other countries.

The following table includes 5-year relative survival for small intestine cancers. 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).

People with cancer should talk to their doctor about their prognosis. Prognosis depends on many factors, including:

• a person’s medical history
• type of cancer
• stage
• characteristics of the cancer
• treatments chosen
• response to treatment

Only a doctor familiar with these factors can put all of this information together with survival statistics to arrive at a prognosis.