Cancers require energy to grow and rob the body of the energy it needs for normal function. Prognosis depends on many factors. The prognosis for any one individual cannot be predicted, but if there were a large number of people all in the same situation then probabilities of cure, remission, survival and death can be predicted. 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. William M. Rich, MD Clinical Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology University of California San Francisco Director of Gynecologic Oncology Valley Medical Center Fresno, Ca.