Survival statistics for cancer of the renal pelvis or ureter
Survival statistics for cancer of the renal pelvis or ureter 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 cancer of the renal pelvis or ureter 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 the cancer.
In Canada, separate 5-year net survival statistics are not reported for cancer of the renal pelvis. It is grouped and reported together with kidney cancer. This statistic does not necessarily reflect the actual survival for cancer of the renal pelvis.
The 5-year net survival for both kidney cancer and renal pelvis cancer together is 71%. This means that about 71% of people diagnosed with kidney cancer or renal pelvis cancer will survive at least 5 years.
In Canada, the 5-year net survival for cancer of the ureter is 46%. This means that about 46% of people diagnosed with cancer of the ureter will survive at least 5 years.
Survival by grade and stage
Survival varies with each
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 grades or stages for cancer of the renal pelvis or ureter. The following information comes from a variety of sources. It includes statistics from other countries that are likely to have similar outcomes as in Canada.
|
Grade and stage |
5-year survival rate |
|---|---|
|
The cancer is low grade and has not grown beyond the connective tissue layer (lamina propria). |
100% |
|
The cancer is grade 1, 2 or 3 and only in the inner lining (urothelium). |
80% |
|
The cancer is high grade and has grown into the wall of the pelvis. |
20% to 30% |
|
The cancer has grown through the renal pelvis into nearby areas. |
5% |
Survival rates for cancer of the ureter are about 10% to 20% lower than for a similar grade and stage of cancer in the renal pelvis.
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 grade and stage
- 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.