Reviewer: Li Qi (Shanghai First People’s Hospital)
Although there is no cure for all cancers, some cancers have made great progress in treatment and even achieved a cure.
Based on current data, of all cancer types, the following five cancers have the greatest chance of being cured:
One, prostate cancer
5-year survival rate (US): 99%
Many prostate tumors grow slowly or not at all, and are generally not life-threatening. Many men with these tumors can still live unharmed for many years, and cancer is usually not the direct cause of their death.
And once cancer cells start to spread (metastasize), they are very difficult to treat, and some cancer cells can spread to other parts of the body very quickly. In this case, the 5-year survival rate after diagnosis is only 29%. But thankfully, most prostate cancers can be detected before they spread.
There are generally two ways to check for prostate cancer:
Digital rectal exam: The doctor inserts a gloved finger into the rectum to examine the prostate.
Prostate specific antigen (PSA): Tested by drawing blood.
Prostate cancer patients usually have high blood PSA levels, but because the cause of the increase in PSA levels is not limited to prostate cancer, there is still controversy about PSA screening for prostate cancer. This examination is subject to doctor’s advice.
Also, seek medical attention if you experience symptoms such as difficulty urinating or blood in the urine, which may be a sign of prostate cancer or other prostate disease.
Image source: Zhanku Hailuo
2. Thyroid cancer
5-year survival rate (US): 98 % (depending on tissue type)
The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in the neck that secretes hormones needed to control energy expenditure such as heartbeat. Thyroid cancer is mostly papillary and grows slowly. Even if the tumor is large or has begun to spread to other nearby tissues, it can usually be treated or completely cured by removing the gland. After surgery, patients can take medication to replace the hormones produced by the thyroid.
Thyroid cancer can now be diagnosed earlier, increasing the chances of a cure.
But there is one type called “anaplastic thyroid cancer,” which has a 5-year survival rate of only 7% and is very rare.
There is currently no specific screening method for thyroid cancer. Most people see a tumor when they notice a lump or swelling in the neck, and sometimes a doctor may accidentally discover a thyroid problem when an ultrasound is done for another reason. If you have a lump in your neck, along with other symptoms such as difficulty breathing or swallowing, be sure to see your doctor.
Third, testicular cancer
5-year survival rate (US): 95.1%
In the early stages (when the tumor has not spread to other areas), doctors can cure this cancer by surgically removing the testicle with the tumor. Usually, if a patient has one testicle removed, the other testicle produces enough hormones to maintain normal sex and produce sperm.
For advanced cancers, surgery combined with radiation therapy or chemotherapy is often better, and sometimes stem cell transplantation may also be helpful. Many doctors believe that the chemotherapy drug cisplatin has significantly improved survival for patients with advanced testicular cancer.
Testicular cancer has good treatments even in its advanced stages. The 5-year survival rate for this type of cancer is 73%, which is quite high for advanced cancers.
There is no adequate screening method for testicular cancer. If you feel a lump in your testicles, or if one becomes larger than the other, you should see your doctor right away, this could be an early sign of a tumor.
Image source: Zhanku Hailuo
Four. Melanoma
5-year survival rate (US): 91.7%
Melanoma is usually visible to the naked eye in the early stages. Before it spreads, doctors can surgically remove it and cure it.
Melanoma is more likely than other skin cancers to spread to other parts of the body if not caught early. Once it spreads beyond the surface of the skin, it can be difficult to treat. transferFor patients with melanoma, the 5-year survival rate after diagnosis is only 15% to 20%.
Is screening helpful? The answer is yes, you need to pay attention to whether there are large, dark, oddly shaped or raised spots on the skin, especially the back, scalp, scrotum and toes. Melanoma is generally not easy to form in these areas. If any changes occur, please consult your doctor immediately, and the doctor will determine whether it is abnormal. High-risk groups with a personal or family history of the disease should be screened regularly by a dermatologist.
5. Early breast cancer
Early (stage 0 and I) 5-year survival rate (US): 99%~100%
Modern medicine has made tremendous strides in treating breast cancer. Doctors know better than ever how to diagnose and treat breast cancer, and people’s knowledge is improving. For example, we now know that there are many types of breast cancer, not just one, and each type will be treated differently.
Breast cancer is easier to treat before it spreads than after it has spread, and some types of breast cancer are also relatively easy to treat. For example, “estrogen receptor-positive” breast cancer can be relieved by using drugs that lower estrogen levels; however, “triple negative” breast cancer is more stubborn, and some targeted treatments may not work.
Studies have found that regular mammograms can help prolong survival, but the frequency of screening should follow your doctor’s advice. Some doctors believe that screening every other year, starting at age 50, in the general population, with the exception of high-risk groups. The American Cancer Society recommends that women get annual mammograms starting at age 45, and women between the ages of 40 and 44 can choose whether to get annual mammograms at their own discretion.
Image source: Zhanku Hailuo
*The content of this article is for the popularization of health knowledge and cannot be used as a specific diagnosis and treatment suggestion, nor can it replace the face-to-face consultation of a licensed physician, and is for reference only.
*The copyright of this article belongs to Tencent Medical Dictionary. Unauthorized reprinting by media is prohibited. Illegal reprinting will be investigated for legal responsibility according to law. Individuals are welcome to forward to the circle of friends.
*Welcome to search on WeChat and pay attention to the public account “Tencent Medical Code” to get more knowledge about health science.