New Research Reveals High Survival Rates for Prostate Cancer Patients

Strategic Insights -

Researchers have found that individuals diagnosed with nonmetastatic low-risk prostate cancer, treated according to the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology, are likely to survive their cancer for their remaining life expectancy. In fact, 90% of patients in this category were found to have a high likelihood of survival. The study, published in the July 2025 issue of JNCCN--Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, analyzed data from 62,839 patients diagnosed with non-metastatic prostate cancer in Sweden between 2000-2020.

Key Takeaways:

  • For patients with nonmetastatic low-risk prostate cancer, 90% were likely to survive their cancer for their remaining life-expectancy.
  • Of those with nonmetastatic higher-risk cancer and a longer life expectancy, the likelihood of survival was still greater than 65%.
  • Patients with low- and intermediate-risk cancer were six times more likely to die of other causes than prostate cancer.
  • Patients with high-risk cancer were still twice as likely to die of other causes.
  • The study supports adherence to guideline recommendations for treatment of prostate cancer, with active surveillance being an excellent treatment strategy for appropriately selected people.
  • The Gleason score/Grade Group, clinical TNM stage, treatment data, and other information for the study came from the National Prostate Cancer Register (NPCR) of Sweden.
  • The NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology were used to guide treatment recommendations.
  • The study reveals that patients with low-risk prostate cancer, who were on active surveillance, had a 30-year mortality risk from the cancer itself of only about 11%.

Statistics:

  • 90% of patients with nonmetastatic low-risk prostate cancer were likely to survive their cancer for their remaining life-expectancy.
  • 65% or more were likely to survive their cancer for their remaining life-expectancy in nonmetastatic higher-risk cancer patients with a longer life expectancy.
  • Patients with low- and intermediate-risk cancer were six times more likely to die of other causes than prostate cancer.
  • Patients with high-risk cancer were twice as likely to die of other causes than prostate cancer.
  • 11% was the 30-year mortality risk from cancer itself for patients with low-risk prostate cancer who were on active surveillance.

Sources:

  • National Comprehensive Cancer Network. (2025). July Issue of JNCCN--Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network.
  • Pietro Scilipoti, MD, and colleagues. (2025). Adherence to guideline-recommended treatment for prostate cancer improves survival. JNCCN--Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, July 2025.