Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC)

Request an Appointment

Survival rates

Survival statistics

The median life expectancy for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) is about three years. This means that about half of people with this diagnosis die within three years and about half live longer.

Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer isn't likely to be cured, but it can be treated. Most people with this diagnosis will die from their cancer.

According to the U.S. National Cancer Institute, the five-year survival rate for metastatic prostate cancer is about 38%. This means that for every 100 people with metastatic prostate cancer, about 38 can be expected to be living five years after diagnosis. This number includes people with cancer that's sensitive to hormone therapy and cancer that's resistant.

Keep in mind that people included in cancer survival rates were diagnosed more than five years ago. They may not have had access to the latest treatments. Talk with your healthcare team about your prognosis and what factors might influence your personal outlook.

Prognosis

How long you can expect to live with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer depends on many factors. Factors that affect prognosis include:

  • PSA level. A high PSA level and a PSA level that rises quickly give a worse prognosis.
  • Where the cancer spreads. Prostate cancer that spreads to the lymph nodes and bones has a better prognosis than cancer that spreads to organs, such as the liver and lungs.
  • How many places the cancer spreads. Cancer that spreads to a few areas has a better prognosis than cancer that spreads to many areas.
  • Overall health. People who are in poor health and have other serious health conditions have a worse prognosis.
  • Symptoms. People who need strong pain medicines to help manage prostate cancer symptoms have a worse prognosis.

For the clearest and most complete picture of your outlook, talk about it with your healthcare team. The care team understands your overall health and may be able to give you a more personalized prognosis.

Request an appointment
Diagnosis & treatmentDoctors & departments
Dec. 24, 2025
  1. Dmochowski RR, et al., eds. Campbell-Walsh-Wein Urology. 13th ed. Elsevier; 2026. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Oct. 2, 2025.
  2. Advanced prostate cancer patient guide. Urology Care Foundation. https://www.urologyhealth.org/educational-resources/advanced-prostate-cancer. Accessed Oct. 2, 2025.
  3. Harris WP, et al. Androgen deprivation therapy: Progress in understanding mechanisms of resistance and optimizing androgen depletion. Nature Clinical Practice Urology. 2009; doi:10.1038/ncpuro1296.
  4. Lowrance W, et al. Advanced prostate cancer: AUA/SUO guideline. https://www.auanet.org/guidelines-and-quality/guidelines/advanced-prostate-cancer. Accessed Oct. 2, 2025.
  5. DeVita VT Jr, et al., eds. Cancer of the prostate. In: DeVita, Hellman, and Rosenberg's Cancer: Principles and Practice of Oncology. 12th ed. ProQuest Ebook Central. Wolters Kluwer; 2023. Accessed Oct. 2, 2025.
  6. Harrington LA, et al., eds. Hormones and cancer. In: The Basic Science of Oncology. 6th ed. McGraw Hill; 2021. https://hemonc.mhmedical.com. Accessed Oct. 2, 2025.
  7. Dawson NA, et al. Overview of the treatment of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Oct. 2, 2025.
  8. Testosterone test. Testing.com. https://www.testing.com/tests/testosterone. Accessed Oct. 10, 2025.
  9. Prostate cancer. National Comprehensive Cancer Network. https://www.nccn.org/guidelines/guidelines-detail?category=2&id=1459. Accessed Oct. 2, 2025.
  10. Fact sheet: Molecular imaging and prostate cancer. Society of Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging. https://snmmi.org/Patients/Patients/Fact-Sheets/Molecular-Imaging-and-Prostate-Cancer.aspx. Accessed Oct. 10, 2025.
  11. Garje R, et al. Systemic therapy in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer: ASCO guideline update. Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2025; doi:10.1200/JCO-25-00007.
  12. Targeted therapy to treat cancer. National Cancer Institute. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/types/targeted-therapies. Accessed Oct. 10, 2025.
  13. Abida W, et al. Management of advanced prostate cancer with germline or somatic homologous recombination repair deficiency. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Oct. 2, 2025.
  14. Gulley J. Immunotherapy for castration-resistant prostate cancer. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Oct. 2, 2025.
  15. Fact sheet: Radiopharmaceutical therapy and prostate cancer. Society of Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging. https://snmmi.org/Patients/Patients/Fact-Sheets/Radiopharmaceutical-Therapy-and-Prostate-Cancer.aspx. Accessed Oct. 10, 2025.
  16. Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT). RadiologyInfo.org. https://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info/stereotactic. Accessed Oct. 10, 2025.
  17. Goldman L, et al., eds. Prostate cancer. In: Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Elsevier; 2024. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Oct. 10, 2025.
  18. Cancer stat facts: Prostate cancer. National Cancer Institute. https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/prost.html. Accessed Oct. 10, 2025.
  19. Choline C 11 injection (approval letter). New Drug Application 203155. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/daf/index.cfm?event=overview.process&ApplNo=203155. Accessed April 4, 2025.
  20. Harris KM. Allscripts EPSi. Mayo Clinic. April 23, 2024.
  21. Become a comprehensive radiopharmaceutical therapy center of excellence. Society of Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging. https://snmmi.org/Web/Clinical-Practice/Radiopharmaceutical-Therapy-Centers-of-Excellence/Become-a-Comprehensive-Radiopharmaceutical-Therapy-Center-of-Excellence.aspx. Accessed July 29, 2025.
  22. Medical review (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. Dec. 2, 2025.

Related

Associated Procedures

Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC)