crc has a five year survival rate of ZERO?

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  • Shayenne
    Shayenne Member Posts: 2,342
    #22
    StacyGleaso said:

    Hmmmmmm
    Well, then maybe I'm not really here! I am an 8 yr. survivor of stage 4....unless maybe I'm just my own imagination!! Does this mean I don't have to pay taxes? lol

    Happy Tuesday!

    Stacy

    LOL!
    That cracked me up Stacy, another inspiring member of the long surviving family :)

    Hugsss!
    ~Donna
  • Kathryn_in_MN
    Kathryn_in_MN Member Posts: 1,252 Member
    #23
    ittapp said:

    what if your stge iv, how
    what if your stge iv, how are the numbers?

    I don't have access
    I don't have access to the doctor's system - the only one I can access is an abbreviated version that isn't as updated or accurate. My doctor actually uses one that goes through the Mayo Clinic, and they keep it more current (if there are no studies done that apply) and you choose more variables. I can access the page, but I can't sign up because you have to be a medical professional. So I have the print-outs for my options only which my doctor got for me.

    There is a patient version, but it doesn't have as many options, and the numbers are a little different. I pulled that up right now.

    It shows me for stage III, under age 49, 5+ nodes, low grade (moderately differentiated - the numbers will change with poorly), with surgery and FOLFOX as 5-yr recurrance free survival at 54%, with overall survival at 65%. It shows 40% reduction in recurrance and 34% reduction in death if using 5-FU. But with FOLFOX it gives an additional 24% benefit for both categories over 5-FU alone. (These numbers are for node +, they are different for node- for the benefits of chemo.)

    But if I change myself to stage IV (which I may be - we aren't sure), with surgery and FOLFOX, 41% chance of alive and no recurrance in 5 years. 53% chance of survival in 5 years. Once again using chemo gives big boosts over no chemo, with FOLFOX doing more than just 5-FU. This particular calculator does not work for other drug combos.

    So, even if I am stage IV, my chances of living another 5 years are HIGHER than dying in the next 5 years using this program that isn't as "particular" as the other one - and that other program gives me a little better odds yet.

    This breaks nodes+ into 0, 1-4 or 5 or more. I had 5. So it is basically saying that just because I have 5, my numbers are a lot worse than if I had 4. When I change nodes to 1-4, 72% 5-yr NED, and 81% 5-yr alive for stage III. The same with stage IV is 60% and 73% respectively. I tend to feel these are much closer to my real chances. For this simple calculator they had to choose a cut-off and it just happens I am on that cusp.

    So anyone that says there is no hope for stage IV doesn't have a clue what they are talking about. This is based on a very large Mayo Clinic study - I'd put more stock in that than someone spewing off that stage IV is terminal. Take a look at all the stage IV survivors just on this site!
  • Mchapp
    Mchapp Member Posts: 95
    #24
    Shayenne said:

    LOL!
    That cracked me up Stacy, another inspiring member of the long surviving family :)

    Hugsss!
    ~Donna

    2008 presentation from ACS
    Colorectal Cancer:
    Preventable, Beatable, Treatable!!!

    This is from a 2009 powerpoint for staff of the American Cancer Society - posted and one that I presented to many areas in WV in March (colon cancer month)

    5-year relative survival rate for localized disease is about 90%
    Localized cancer is cancer that, at the time of diagnosis, had not spread to additional sites within the body. Typically, the earlier a cancer is detected and diagnosed, the more successful the treatment, thus enhancing the survival rate.
    5-year overall relative survival rate is 64%
    The 5-year relative survival rates represent persons who are living 5 years after diagnosis, whether disease-free, in remission, or under treatment. They do not imply that 5-year survivors have been permanently cured of cancer.

    Researchers are testing prevention methods, including whether fiber supplements, minerals, medicines, and vitamins can lower risk.
    Studies are expected to lead to new drugs and gene therapies to correct genetic problems and warn people most at risk.
    Scientists are also studying combinations of new chemotherapy drugs, new ways to combine proven drugs, and ways to combine chemotherapy with radiation therapy or immunotherapy.
    Overall, only 40% of colorectal cancer patients
    diagnosed between 1996 and 2004 had localized-stage
    disease, for which the 5-year relative survival rate
    is 90%; 5-year survival rates for patients diagnosed
    at the regional and distant stage are 68% and 11%,
    respectively (Figure 4).15
    • Between the mid-1970s and 1996-2004, the 5-year
    relative survival rate for colorectal cancer increased
    from 51% to 65%. A significant advance in colorectal
    cancer treatment in the late 1980s was the introduction
    of 5-fluoroucil-based adjuvant chemotherapy for
    resectable (operable) stage III colon cancer, which
    reduced mortality by as much as 30%.16

    and remember
    Help from the American Cancer Society is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
    To reach us:
    Visit the American Cancer Society Internet site at www.cancer.org.
    Call toll-free, 1–800–227CS–2345.
  • robinvan
    robinvan Member Posts: 1,012
    #25
    ittapp said:

    what if your stge iv, how
    what if your stge iv, how are the numbers?

    Great hope for Stage 4
    Yes! I think that is where the new 30% survival statistic comes in. We cannot underestimate the incredibkle boost we have gotten from new liver procedures!

    Be Well... Rob; in Vancouver
  • just4Brooks
    just4Brooks Member Posts: 980 Member
    #26
    Mchapp said:

    2008 presentation from ACS
    Colorectal Cancer:
    Preventable, Beatable, Treatable!!!

    This is from a 2009 powerpoint for staff of the American Cancer Society - posted and one that I presented to many areas in WV in March (colon cancer month)

    5-year relative survival rate for localized disease is about 90%
    Localized cancer is cancer that, at the time of diagnosis, had not spread to additional sites within the body. Typically, the earlier a cancer is detected and diagnosed, the more successful the treatment, thus enhancing the survival rate.
    5-year overall relative survival rate is 64%
    The 5-year relative survival rates represent persons who are living 5 years after diagnosis, whether disease-free, in remission, or under treatment. They do not imply that 5-year survivors have been permanently cured of cancer.

    Researchers are testing prevention methods, including whether fiber supplements, minerals, medicines, and vitamins can lower risk.
    Studies are expected to lead to new drugs and gene therapies to correct genetic problems and warn people most at risk.
    Scientists are also studying combinations of new chemotherapy drugs, new ways to combine proven drugs, and ways to combine chemotherapy with radiation therapy or immunotherapy.
    Overall, only 40% of colorectal cancer patients
    diagnosed between 1996 and 2004 had localized-stage
    disease, for which the 5-year relative survival rate
    is 90%; 5-year survival rates for patients diagnosed
    at the regional and distant stage are 68% and 11%,
    respectively (Figure 4).15
    • Between the mid-1970s and 1996-2004, the 5-year
    relative survival rate for colorectal cancer increased
    from 51% to 65%. A significant advance in colorectal
    cancer treatment in the late 1980s was the introduction
    of 5-fluoroucil-based adjuvant chemotherapy for
    resectable (operable) stage III colon cancer, which
    reduced mortality by as much as 30%.16

    and remember
    Help from the American Cancer Society is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
    To reach us:
    Visit the American Cancer Society Internet site at www.cancer.org.
    Call toll-free, 1–800–227CS–2345.

    Thanks Mchapp
    Thanks for the updated information. I'm sure it will be very helpful to many of us on the board.
  • dianetavegia
    dianetavegia Member Posts: 1,942 Member
    #27
    Stats
    My onc had not met me when he did my 'stats', nor had he seen any health information other than information on my cc. I was told 68% based on aggression of tumor, number of nodes, age and 'fair health'. 48 cured by surgery alone. 20 cured by addition of chemo and 3 died of other causes. I am 3B.

    The next visit I was told due to my excellent health and good weight, my numbers were actually 75% disease free survival at 5 years. (Another 3% was people who died from other causes)

    I don't remember which hospital / group my onc used for stats. It sounds like Kathryn's tho. I just grabbed onto the 70-75%. The 3 out of 10 chances of NOT being healthy in 5 years is overwhelming to me at times.

    I hate stats and I hate cancer.
  • zigswife
    zigswife Member Posts: 61
    #28
    Kathryn_in_MN said:

    I don't have access
    I don't have access to the doctor's system - the only one I can access is an abbreviated version that isn't as updated or accurate. My doctor actually uses one that goes through the Mayo Clinic, and they keep it more current (if there are no studies done that apply) and you choose more variables. I can access the page, but I can't sign up because you have to be a medical professional. So I have the print-outs for my options only which my doctor got for me.

    There is a patient version, but it doesn't have as many options, and the numbers are a little different. I pulled that up right now.

    It shows me for stage III, under age 49, 5+ nodes, low grade (moderately differentiated - the numbers will change with poorly), with surgery and FOLFOX as 5-yr recurrance free survival at 54%, with overall survival at 65%. It shows 40% reduction in recurrance and 34% reduction in death if using 5-FU. But with FOLFOX it gives an additional 24% benefit for both categories over 5-FU alone. (These numbers are for node +, they are different for node- for the benefits of chemo.)

    But if I change myself to stage IV (which I may be - we aren't sure), with surgery and FOLFOX, 41% chance of alive and no recurrance in 5 years. 53% chance of survival in 5 years. Once again using chemo gives big boosts over no chemo, with FOLFOX doing more than just 5-FU. This particular calculator does not work for other drug combos.

    So, even if I am stage IV, my chances of living another 5 years are HIGHER than dying in the next 5 years using this program that isn't as "particular" as the other one - and that other program gives me a little better odds yet.

    This breaks nodes+ into 0, 1-4 or 5 or more. I had 5. So it is basically saying that just because I have 5, my numbers are a lot worse than if I had 4. When I change nodes to 1-4, 72% 5-yr NED, and 81% 5-yr alive for stage III. The same with stage IV is 60% and 73% respectively. I tend to feel these are much closer to my real chances. For this simple calculator they had to choose a cut-off and it just happens I am on that cusp.

    So anyone that says there is no hope for stage IV doesn't have a clue what they are talking about. This is based on a very large Mayo Clinic study - I'd put more stock in that than someone spewing off that stage IV is terminal. Take a look at all the stage IV survivors just on this site!

    Kathryn-
    Is that from the
    Kathryn-
    Is that from the Mayo website and if so, in which portion? I'm a numbers girl myself and actually teach statistics in my "spare" time! I would love to play around with that information.
  • Jimbob-
    Jimbob- Member Posts: 46
    #29
    dianetavegia said:

    Stats
    My onc had not met me when he did my 'stats', nor had he seen any health information other than information on my cc. I was told 68% based on aggression of tumor, number of nodes, age and 'fair health'. 48 cured by surgery alone. 20 cured by addition of chemo and 3 died of other causes. I am 3B.

    The next visit I was told due to my excellent health and good weight, my numbers were actually 75% disease free survival at 5 years. (Another 3% was people who died from other causes)

    I don't remember which hospital / group my onc used for stats. It sounds like Kathryn's tho. I just grabbed onto the 70-75%. The 3 out of 10 chances of NOT being healthy in 5 years is overwhelming to me at times.

    I hate stats and I hate cancer.

    4.5 years
    I was Diagnosed and had Surgery in april of 2005.

    I am going to die of something But I guarantee you it is not going to be Cancer.
  • ittapp
    ittapp Member Posts: 383 Member
    #30
    Jimbob- said:

    4.5 years
    I was Diagnosed and had Surgery in april of 2005.

    I am going to die of something But I guarantee you it is not going to be Cancer.

    what stage are you? Patti

    what stage are you? Patti
  • scouty
    scouty Member Posts: 1,965 Member
    #31
    Comment taken out of context
    For those of us that knew Bud from this great website (the originator of the comment) and know where he was in his journey at the time of that remark know to not read too much into it!!!

    He was on serious pain killers and was trying to let folks know that he had beaten the 5 year dismal prognosis and give hope, not take it away.

    Bud was an amazing person (as Stacy already has said) and was our resident researcher for new and inspiring things. He would never have wanted a comment like that to even be on his webpage much less repeated like it was.

    Lisa P.

    Hey Bud sweetie, I just made my 5 year mark. CP7 is next week and we will raise a toast to you as always. Save a dance and a place for me up there my dear friend!!
  • clier
    clier Member Posts: 29
    #32
    survival rates
    Hey, I'll throw in my 2 cents' worth. When I was dx in 3/09 with Stage IV (8 masses in the liver), I was seeing 8% survival rate after 5 yrs. Even those stats are a bit older - more recent ones we've seen are around 30%. But, as my oncologist points out, no doctor has any way of plotting you, or me, on that statistical curve. We're looking for predictions that don't exist. That being as sucky as it is, it does bring us back to the one-day-at-a-time philosophy, which is pretty smart, when I can do it.

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