Gallbladder cancer survival rates

Gallbladder cancer is a very rare cancer that usually doesn't not appear until the patient is in his or her mid 60s. it is estimated that the disease—along with similar biliary cancers—will strike about 9,000 men and women in the United States each year, with a slightly higher incidence in women than in men. meanwhile, it is estimated that annually about 3,300 people will die from gallbladder cancer and other biliary cancers in the US.

Incidence and Mortality

The approximate age range age at diagnosis for gallbladder cancer is between 62 and 66 years of age. Since most patients are not diagnosed until their disease has spread to regional areas or has metastasized, the 5 year rate (explored more closely below) for this cancer is low, estimated between 15-20 percent.

Gallbladder cancer: survival rates by stage

Survival rates for gallbladder cancer are not especially good, even when the disease is caught in its early stages. The following lists the extent to which the cancer is known to have spread, followed by what's known as a 5-year relative survival percentage—this figure represents the percentage of people expected to be alive 5 years after being diagnosed at each disease stage:

• -- Localized disease: 40%
• -- Regional disease: 15%
• -- Metastatic disease: 10%

As is evident from the percentages, prognosis for gallbladder cancer is rather poor. Ideally it is caught at its earliest stage, when there is a chance of cure through surgery.

Sources

Medscape, Gallbladder cancer

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