More people surviving the first years after metastatic cancer diagnosis
The percentage of patients with primary metastatic cancer who are still alive three years after their initial diagnosis is increasing, the Netherlands Comprehensive Cancer Organisation (IKNL) said in a report published on Tuesday. According to the organization, a small group of these patients benefits from new treatments such as targeted therapy and immunotherapy.
Primary metastatic cancer means that the cancer has already spread at the time of diagnosis. This is the case for one in five cancer patients. Between 2014 and 2018, only 17 percent of these patients survived three years after their diagnosis. Between 2019 and 2023, that percentage increased to 21 percent.
“That is, of course, good news,” said Natasja Raijmakers of the IKNL. “But this success is far from universal.”
In 2023, 22,000 people had primary metastasized cancer. Half of them died within seven months of diagnosis. That figure has not changed since 2020.
Survival rates vary significantly by type of cancer. Patients with metastatic prostate or breast cancer have the best chance of still being alive after three years, while those with bile duct-gallbladder cancer and pancreatic cancer rarely survive that long. Over the past years, the survival chances have improved the most for patients with melanoma, kidney cancer, prostate cancer, and lung cancer, the IKNL reported.
The IKNL advocated for better discussions about treatment versus quality of life for patients with metastasized cancer. For many patients, quality of life declines an average of nine months before death. In the final months, care that was initially appropriate and helpful can ultimately become undesirable. The benefits then no longer outweigh the negative effects.
The Dutch Federation of Cancer Patient Organizations agrees. The organization acknowledged that discussions about palliative care - care for terminal patients intended to keep them comfortable rather than treating the disease - can be difficult, but they are essential. “We see that most people with metastatic cancer choose quality of life, not endless treatment,” CEO Anke Vervoord told NU.nl. “This requires honest conversations. Proactive care planning helps with this, so that patients, loved ones, and caregivers know what’s important at the right time.”
