Another stage 4 cancer patient here, now 6 years out. We have a ton of late stage survivors here. Don't get caught up in statistics, as they may not be drawn from, or represent people who are just like any given patient. There are too many variables, let alone our individual unique biological makeup. This page in the web site has a few observations of mine on this issue http://www.oralcancerfoundation.org/facts/stages_cancer.htm

As Gary mentioned, this has been discussed here many times before and a search under the word statistics will bring up some of those long posts where we picked apart the idea and its value or lack of it.

None of us can predict the future, and that includes doctors. Live each day fully whether you are ill or healthy. That is the best we can all do. As much as we know about this disease and survival rates, what we do not know exceeds that knowlege. Put your energy into the postitive, no matter how small a part of each day it may be. The odds makers do not have a crystal ball, not in cancer, not in Las Vegas.

Brian, stage 4 oral cancer survivor. OCF Founder and Director. The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between, the leader is a servant.