How long can someone live with cancer and without receiving any treatment?

The length of time someone can live with cancer without receiving any treatment varies significantly depending on several factors, including the type of cancer, its stage, the rate of growth, and the overall health of the individual.

Breast Cancer

For untreated breast cancer, studies have shown that the median survival time is approximately 2.3 to 2.7 years. The actuarial 5-year and 10-year survival rates are relatively low, at around 18-20% and 3-4%, respectively1.

Colon Cancer

Untreated colon cancer tends to progress quickly and can spread to other organs such as the liver or brain. Without treatment, the 5-year survival rate is significantly lower, with only about 11.3% of patients surviving compared to 59.6% of those who receive surgery. The median survival time for untreated colon cancer is generally shorter, and life expectancy can be reduced substantially if the cancer spreads3.

Stomach Cancer

For stomach cancer, the survival rates without treatment are also poor. At stage 4, which is metastatic cancer, only about 20 out of 100 people will survive for 1 year or more after diagnosis. There are no 5-year survival statistics for stage 4 stomach cancer because most people do not live that long after diagnosis5.

General Factors

• Type of Cancer: Different types of cancer have varying growth rates and aggressiveness. For example, prostate cancer can be slow-growing and asymptomatic for many years, while other cancers like pancreatic cancer can progress rapidly2.
• Stage of Cancer: The stage at which the cancer is diagnosed significantly affects survival. Early-stage cancers generally have better survival rates compared to advanced or metastatic cancers35.
• Health and Age: The overall health and age of the individual also play crucial roles in determining survival. Older individuals or those with other health conditions may have poorer survival rates2.

In summary, the survival time for someone with untreated cancer can range from a few months to several years, depending on the specific type and stage of the cancer, as well as the individual's overall health. However, in most cases, untreated cancer leads to significantly poorer survival outcomes compared to treated cancer.