= Terminal censoring and survival-mean identifiability
If the last observed follow-up is a censoring time and the <Kaplan–Meier estimator> remains positive there, the observed curve does not determine the remaining tail area. Many possible completions give different full means, including finite and infinite ones. A horizontal plotting extension is not proof that the true mean is infinite. If the final <risk set> is exhausted by events, its <Kaplan–Meier estimator> factor is zero and the conventional fitted curve has finite area. This includes a unique last individual having an event, but an event tied with terminal censoring can leave a positive fitted survivor value when events are processed before censoring. The random endpoint still does not establish a population support bound. A <restricted mean survival time> avoids unsupported tail completion.
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