Metastatic (stage 4) sarcoma

Cancer survival rates or survival statistics tell you the percentage of people who survive a certain type of cancer for a specific amount of time.

Survival rates for metastatic sarcoma vary widely. The likely outcome of your condition, called the prognosis or outlook, depends on the type of sarcoma, where the cancer has spread and other factors. Survival rate statistics describe groups of people and can't predict exactly what will happen to you.

Cancer statistics often use a five-year relative survival rate. This rate compares survival among people with the cancer and survival among people in the general population.

For soft tissue sarcoma that is distant, meaning it has spread to a distant part of the body, the five-year relative survival rate is 17%.

Survival rates differ among types of bone sarcoma. For distant Ewing sarcoma, the five-year relative survival rate is 41%. For distant chondrosarcoma, the five-year relative survival rate is 28%. Chondrosarcoma is a type of sarcoma that usually begins in the bones of the pelvis, hip and shoulder. For distant chordoma, the five-year relative survival rate is 54%. Chordoma is a type of cancer that starts in the bones of the spine or the skull.

Survival statistics are based on people treated in previous years, and treatments can improve over time. Survival statistics also are based on how far the cancer had spread when it was first diagnosed. They don't necessarily apply if a sarcoma spreads or comes back later.

Your care team knows the details of your cancer and treatment. Care team members can give you a personalized outlook and help you make sense of what it means for you. Your care team may share a range of survival to help you and your family plan for the future. Some people want to know as much as possible about prognosis, while others choose to focus on treatment and day-to-day life. It's up to you to decide how much information is helpful.