Survival statistics for neuroendocrine cancer
Survival statistics for neuroendocrine 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 these statistics and what they mean to you.
Observed survival
Observed survival is the percentage of people with a particular cancer who are alive at a certain point in time after their diagnosis.
For example, a 5-year observed survival of 70% means that, on average, people have a 7 in 10 chance of being alive 5 years after their diagnosis.
Observed survival does not consider the cause of death, so the people who are not alive 5 years after diagnosis could have died from cancer or from another cause.
Observed survival is also called overall survival.
There is no specific Canadian 5-year observed survival statistic for all types of neuroendocrine cancer combined. They are most often included with the statistics based on where the tumour started (primary site). For example, gastrointestinal (GI) neuroendocrine cancers are included in the survival statistics for GI cancers, such as the small intestine or stomach.
Observed survival by primary site and stage
Observed survival varies with the primary site and stage of neuroendocrine cancer. Most neuroendocrine cancers are neuroendocrine tumours (NETs), and many NETs grow slowly. Generally, the earlier neuroendocrine cancer is diagnosed and treated, the better the outcome. There are effective treatments available for neuroendocrine cancer.
Neuroendocrine cancer is often found by chance while looking for or treating another problem (incidentally). It can be hard to diagnose because the symptoms are often vague.
There are no specific Canadian statistics available for neuroendocrine cancer. The following information comes from a variety of sources. It may include statistics from other countries that are likely to have similar outcomes as in Canada.
The following table shows survival statistics by stage for the most common primary sites of neuroendocrine cancer. When describing the stage, doctors may use the terms local, regional or distant.
Local means that the cancer is only in the organ and has not spread to other parts of the body.
Regional means close to or around the organ.
Distant means in a part of the body farther from the organ.
|
Primary site |
Local |
Regional |
Distant |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Appendix |
96% |
90% |
29% |
|
Colon |
90% |
43% |
7% |
|
Rectum |
96% |
53% |
14% |
|
Small intestine |
83% |
88% |
69% |
|
Stomach |
84% |
49% |
12% |
|
Lung |
84% |
51% |
10% |
|
Pancreas |
91% |
74% |
38% |
These survival statistics are based on data reported for neuroendocrine tumours (NETs). Neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs) were grouped into NETs in most available survival statistics because of how neuroendocrine cancers used to be classified. We need more research to provide accurate survival statistics for NETs and NECs separately in the future.
Questions about survival
Talk to your doctor about your prognosis. A prognosis depends on many factors, including:
- your health history
- the type of neuroendocrine cancer
- the stage
- certain aspects of the cancer, such as CgA and hormone levels
- 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.
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