The 5-year survival rate of locally progressive rectal cancer is 70%, while the 5-year survival rate of advanced rectal cancer patients with distant metastases is only 12%.
The life expectancy of patients with intermediate and advanced rectal cancer is related to their pathologic type, treatment method, and individual physical condition. Patients with exophytic and polypoid tumors have a better prognosis than ulcerative and infiltrative tumors, and well-differentiated tumors have a better prognosis than poorly differentiated tumors. Generally speaking, the prognosis is better for those who can be eradicated by surgery and are in more favorable physical condition.
Rectal cancer has clear precancerous disease, and there is a relatively long time for it to develop into middle or late stage, so the survival rate can be improved through “early detection, early diagnosis and early treatment”. After diagnosis, patients should follow the doctor’s instructions to carry out treatment, keep a good mindset, and have regular postoperative checkups to improve the prognosis of the disease.