Spreading may occur by direct extension or invasion into adjacent tissues. When cancer spreads to another part of the body, it is called metastatic cancer . Prognosis, or chance of recover, depends on many factors. Some cancers are very predictable, others are not. Some cancers that would be expected to be easily cured are not.
Some people live with their incurable untreatable cancers for years.
For most cancers, to be cured usually means that the cancer has not reappeared for five years after treatment. Contact Information Copyright 2001 Methodist Health Care System, Houston, Tx. All Rights Reserved. Please read our disclaimer and privacy policy . Methodist Health Care System is comprised of The Methodist Hospital , Methodist Diagnostic Hospital , San Jacinto Methodist Hospital , Methodist Health Center-Sugar Land , Methodist Willowbrook Hospital , Visiting Nurse Association , MethodistCare health plans , and is affiliated with a network of physician organizations .