Survival Rates confusing

you'd have to be more specific, b versus c is just more nodal involvement [can't remember if it's >5] and risk is based on spread and location. Come back with a cite, for a better answer.

When I first took a look at survival rates, I freaked out a bit.  Please be aware that the rates quoted are often from old studies where the treatments and surgeries were not as effective.  Also, they deal with the population in general, sometimes dealing with people who are older and sicker ("co-morbidities" such as diabetes or heart disease) than you may be.  Your specific chance of survival may well be substantially higher than the statistics you are seeing.  Plus, the treatments you choose and how you live your life (diet, exercise etc.) may improve your chances substantially.  It is probably better to have your doctors give you an opinion tailored to you, as opposed to seeing what is posted online and in published studies.  I hope this helps--it did for me!

It's all 100%.  Either you survive or you don't.  

Used to say (might still say) Stage I has a higher risk of death than Stage III but that's because doctors were not following people who were Stage I and by time they had symptoms, they were very advanced Stage IV's.  

Most web sites say 50% of people with Stage III will have a recurrence.  It looks like more, because not too many people who are cured hang around for years and years, but before a bunch of people left the forum a few years ago (some came back under a new username), there were a good number of Stage III and Stage IV who were cured and many years out after being pronounced cured. 

Coach

hi, I was stage 4 with one nodule involved, tumors at 3 places, they took 10 pounds of cancer out if me with 40 cm of colon.now I'm stage 3 and still NED. My operation was in April 25 2011. I declined the offered Chemo and Radiation. I'm one of the lucky ones. have now diverticulitis, food running right through me within hour of consuming. It's a nuisance, but I'm stil around, enjoying life.

there is always hope. One day at a time is my motto.

Coachjim said:

What I've learned

It's all 100%.  Either you survive or you don't.  

Used to say (might still say) Stage I has a higher risk of death than Stage III but that's because doctors were not following people who were Stage I and by time they had symptoms, they were very advanced Stage IV's.  

Most web sites say 50% of people with Stage III will have a recurrence.  It looks like more, because not too many people who are cured hang around for years and years, but before a bunch of people left the forum a few years ago (some came back under a new username), there were a good number of Stage III and Stage IV who were cured and many years out after being pronounced cured. 

Coach

Trubrit says only ham is cured.  We cancer survivor are NED currently, with no guarantee it won't return!!!

   I was diagnosed in jan 1998. My surgeon removed the tumour from my transverse and descending colon. He described it as frightfully aggressive as a matter of fact he half seriously told me he could almost see it growing. His advice to me was do what you want to do now because you won't have much time,,three years maximum. I had 48 sessions of 5fu enhanced every fortnight with 9 tablets of levamisole over three days after the 5fu infusion. Levamisole was banned in 2001 for often fatal side effects plus it was not considered any use in killing cancer (only patients). I have not had a great time surviving. I have a raft of auto-immune diseases including nephrotic syndrome of the kidneys, psoriatic arthritis,auto immune hepatitis, auto immune peripheral neuropathy. Erratic heart beats and probable congestive heart failure. As a result of high dose prednisone I also have type two diabetes and osteo penia. I'm 67 and still work four days a week. I am now in year twenty of survival , still cancer free. I've lived on my own for the last ten years. In hindsight on cancer survival statistics you only get twenty years for murder. People tell me I should be grateful to still be alive. I ask them why, it is only the morning and nightime doses of cyclosporine keeping me upright. Funny thing about strong immuno suppressants. If a heart transplant patient survives the first year without rejection , they are statistically more likely to die from skin cancer than heart problems. The honest truth is that once you have had cancer you are in the zone and only constant vigalence and surveilance will keep you going. I have just had a colonoscopy where the time frame was three years , due to a backlog in colonoscopies I had it at three years and six moths. They removed four polyps , the biggest was eleven mm. Very fortunately for me they were all tubular adenomas , the least likely to turn.. But they were following the same rapid growth pattern of my original cancer. I have been told now that I will never again go beyond two years for a scope. My experiences have proved to me that I constantly live in survival mode and that surviving survival is not easy.  I take my hat off to all survivors particularly those  like Philleg and John 23 who have never had a break from active cancer but still live on despite it . Live for the good times and just accept the bad as a rite of passage. Good health to all ... Ron.