Expert: John C. M.D. - 12/8/2000

Question
Dr. Cromwell,
  What is the life expectancy of a female with Colorectal Cancer? And what is the life expectancy for a male with Colorectal Cancer?
   Katie Maxfield

Answer
Katie,
I can not tell you what the survival rates of patients with colorectal cancer would be but in terms of life-expectancy as I'm not sure that I have seen the life-table analysis the one would require to get these numbers.
Five-year survival is what physicians have relied upon to predict cure from cancer (ie. patients who survive five years can generally be expected to have their normal life expectancy.)  Survival is very dependent upon the stage of the cancer at diagnosis.  In patients who are operated on for colorectal cancer, the percent having 5-year survival are as follows:

Stage A: 90%
Stage B: 77%
Stage C: 47%
Stage D: 5%

Sex has not been shown to affect survival from colorectal cancer, although females do seem to respond better to some forms of chemotherapy.
I hope this helps.

John W. Cromwell, M.D.