Important Medical Disclaimer: This tool provides statistical estimates based on SEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results) data. It is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Gleason 6 (Grade Group 1)
Gleason 7 (Grade Group 2/3)
Gleason 8 (Grade Group 4)
Gleason 9-10 (Grade Group 5)
Results Summary
Understanding Prostate Cancer Survival Rates
Prostate cancer is one of the most treatable forms of cancer, especially when detected early. Survival rates are used by doctors as a standard way to discuss the prognosis. These rates are based on "relative survival," which compares men with the same type and stage of prostate cancer to men in the overall population.
Key Factors in Survival Estimation
SEER Stage: This tracks how far the cancer has spread. Localized means there is no sign the cancer has spread outside the prostate. Regional means it has spread to nearby structures or lymph nodes. Distant means it has reached the lungs, liver, or bones.
Gleason Score: This is a grading system (ranging from 6 to 10) that describes how aggressive the cancer cells look under a microscope. A higher score indicates a more aggressive cancer that is likely to spread faster.
PSA Levels: Prostate-Specific Antigen levels in the blood help track the activity of the cancer. While not the only indicator, rising PSA levels can suggest progression.
Interpreting the 5-Year Relative Survival Rate
A 5-year survival rate of 99% does not mean you only have 5 years to live. It means that, based on historical data, 99% of men with that specific stage of cancer are as likely as men who don't have that cancer to live for at least 5 years after diagnosis. Many men live decades after a prostate cancer diagnosis.
Example Calculation
If a 65-year-old patient is diagnosed with Localized prostate cancer and a Gleason Score of 6, the statistical 5-year survival rate is >99%. Conversely, if the cancer has reached the Distant stage (metastatic), the 5-year survival rate typically averages around 32%, though modern immunotherapy and hormone treatments are constantly improving these outcomes.
function calculateSurvivalRate() {
var stage = document.getElementById('cancerStage').value;
var gleason = parseInt(document.getElementById('gleasonScore').value);
var psa = parseFloat(document.getElementById('psaLevel').value);
var age = parseFloat(document.getElementById('patientAge').value);
var resultArea = document.getElementById('resultArea');
var survivalMetric = document.getElementById('survivalMetric');
var explanationText = document.getElementById('explanationText');
if (isNaN(psa) || isNaN(age)) {
alert('Please enter valid numbers for PSA level and Age.');
return;
}
var baseRate = 0;
var riskLabel = "";
// Base SEER Data 5-Year Survival Rates
if (stage === 'localized') {
baseRate = 99.9;
riskLabel = "Highly Treatable";
} else if (stage === 'regional') {
baseRate = 99.9;
riskLabel = "Manageable";
} else if (stage === 'distant') {
baseRate = 32.3;
riskLabel = "Advanced / Metastatic";
}
// Adjustments based on Gleason Score (Aggressiveness)
if (gleason >= 9) {
if (stage !== 'distant') baseRate -= 4;
else baseRate -= 10;
} else if (gleason === 8) {
if (stage !== 'distant') baseRate -= 2;
else baseRate -= 5;
}
// PSA Influence (High PSA > 20 ng/mL often suggests higher risk)
if (psa > 20 && stage !== 'distant') {
baseRate -= 1.5;
}
// Age influence (Statistical mortality adjustment)
if (age > 80) {
baseRate -= 2;
}
// Ensure bounds
if (baseRate > 99.9) baseRate = 99.9;
if (baseRate = 95) {
survivalMetric.style.color = "#27ae60";
} else if (finalRate >= 70) {
survivalMetric.style.color = "#f39c12";
} else {
survivalMetric.style.color = "#e74c3c";
}
explanationText.innerHTML = "Based on the " + stage + " stage and a Gleason score of " + gleason + ", the estimated 5-year relative survival rate is approximately " + finalRate + "%. This indicates the percentage of patients who are alive five years after their diagnosis compared to the general population. Note that treatments like radical prostatectomy, radiation therapy, and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) significantly impact individual outcomes.";
resultArea.scrollIntoView({ behavior: 'smooth' });
}