What does the survival rate mean?
The survival rate is a historical statistic that measured people with the same type of cancer utilizing conventional treatment. For example, according to the National Institute of Health, National Cancer Institute, the 5 year survival rate for thyroid cancer during 1980 to 1993 was 94.6%. This means that 94.6% of the people who had thyroid cancer between 1980 and 1993 and were treated with conventional treatment were alive 5 or more years later. 94.6% would be at least 9 out of 10 patients who survived 5 or more years. This is only an example. You are encouraged to discuss this with your radiation oncologist.