Prognosis in renal cell cancer

If diagnosed early and operated on promptly, the prognosis for non-metastatic renal cell cancer is very good, with a 5-year survival rate for early stage cancers of over 90%.

The 5-year survival rate for more advanced cancers which have not spread to other parts of the body is significantly lower at between 30 and 65%.

If the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, despite all the advances achieved by modern medicine this type of cancer cannot at present be cured. Patients with favourable initial findings and few risk factors will on average live for around 3.5 years after diagnosis. Patients with very aggressive cancer and several risk factors will on average only live for around 8 months after diagnosis.