what is the survival rate of stomach cancer

The survival rate of stomach (gastric) cancer depends very strongly on the stage at diagnosis, but recent data suggest that, overall, about 4 in 10 people in the US are alive 5 years after diagnosis, with much higher survival when it is found early.

Key 5‑year survival numbers

Using large US registry data (SEER, 2015–2021):

• All stages combined: about 37–38% 5‑year relative survival.

• Localized (only in the stomach): about 73–77% 5‑year relative survival.

• Regional (spread to nearby lymph nodes/structures): about 33–37% 5‑year relative survival.

• Distant / metastatic (spread to organs like liver or lungs): about 7–8% 5‑year relative survival.

In countries with intensive screening (for example parts of Japan and South Korea), early‑stage stomach cancer can have 5‑year survival above 70–90% because it is often found before it spreads.

Simple HTML table (by stage)

html

<table>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th>Stage (SEER summary)</th>
      <th>What it means</th>
      <th>Approx. 5-year relative survival</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td>Localized</td>
      <td>Cancer confined to the stomach</td>
      <td>About 73–77%</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Regional</td>
      <td>Spread to nearby lymph nodes or nearby tissues</td>
      <td>About 33–37%</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Distant (metastatic)</td>
      <td>Spread to distant organs (e.g., liver, lungs)</td>
      <td>About 7–8%</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>All stages combined</td>
      <td>Overall, all patients together</td>
      <td>About 37–38%</td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

What affects an individual’s chances?

Survival statistics are averages; they cannot predict what will happen to one person. Important factors include:

• Exact stage and whether the tumor can be fully removed with surgery.

• Tumor biology (such as HER2 status and other biomarkers) and response to chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy.

• Age, general health, and other medical conditions.

• How early it was detected and how quickly treatment started.

On patient forums, people often share very different experiences: some with early‑stage disease living many years cancer‑free after surgery, others with advanced disease focusing on managing symptoms and quality of life with modern systemic treatments.

Recent trend and “latest news”

Overall cancer survival has been improving, with a recent American Cancer Society report noting that 5‑year survival for all cancers combined in the US reached about 70% for people diagnosed between 2015 and 2021, driven by earlier detection and better treatments. Stomach cancer is part of this trend: newer chemotherapy combinations, targeted drugs (like HER2‑directed therapy), and immunotherapy have improved outcomes, especially for some advanced cases, though late‑stage gastric cancer still has relatively low survival compared with many other cancers.

Important note

If you or someone close to you is dealing with stomach cancer, the most useful numbers will come from the treating oncologist, who can explain how stage, test results, and available treatments translate into an individual prognosis. Statistics are there to give a broad picture, not to define any one person’s future.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.