Parametric versus non-parametric methods for estimating cure rates based on censored survival data

Stat Med. 1992 May;11(7):931-7. doi: 10.1002/sim.4780110710.

Abstract

If a patient's failure time is incorrectly recorded as being too early, the correction will lower the plateau of the Kaplan-Meier curve and, hence, the associated estimated cure rate. Implications of this counter-intuitive observation are discussed. In addition, a parametric approach, based on the Gompertz distribution, to the problem of cure rate estimation is presented.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Bias*
  • Humans
  • Likelihood Functions
  • Mathematics
  • Survival Analysis*
  • Treatment Outcome*