What is the 5-year survival rate for hepatocellular cancer in the United States?

The 5-year survival rate for hepatocellular cancer in the United States is 17%. This statistic reflects the percentage of patients who are diagnosed with this type of liver cancer and who are alive five years after their diagnosis. Hepatocellular carcinoma often has a poor prognosis because it is typically diagnosed at an advanced stage, especially in patients with underlying liver disease, such as cirrhosis or hepatitis.

The complexity of the disease, including factors such as the overall health of the liver, the size and number of tumors, and the presence of metastasis, significantly influences the survival outcomes. Because hepatocellular carcinoma is often detected late due to the absence of early symptoms, many patients may not be candidates for curative treatments such as surgery or liver transplantation. This contributes to the lower survival rates associated with this condition.

In the context of the other choices, while higher percentages might suggest better prognosis rates typical in other cancers or earlier-stage liver cancers, hepatocellular carcinoma's survival statistics are limited due to its aggressive nature and the underlying conditions that often accompany it.