Q. How is the life expectancy of a patient with prostate cancer?
Doctor Answer is medically reviewed by SecondMedic medical review team.
The life expectancy of a patient with prostate cancer is highly dependent on the stage and grade of the cancer. The five-year survival rate for all stages of prostate cancer combined is about 98%. In general, men diagnosed at an early stage have a better outlook than those who are diagnosed when their disease has spread to other parts of their body.
When looking at each specific stage, there are ranges in life expectancy:
Stage I - up to 10 years
Stage IIA - up to 8 years
Stage IIB - 5 to 7 years
Stage III - 3 to 5 years
Stage IV (where it has metastasized) - approximately 2 years or less
The good news is that most cases of prostate cancer are detected early. Men over 50 should get screened regularly for prostate cancer as this increases the chances that if it develops, it can be found in its earliest stages. Additionally, treatments such as surgery and radiation therapy have improved significantly over recent decades, making diagnosis and overall outcomes more positive than ever before.