Mesothelioma Prognosis

A mesothelioma prognosis is the projected course of this disease, including a patient’s overall life expectancy and survival rate. While the average prognosis is 12-21 months, some patients have become long-term survivors after treatment. Find out more about mesothelioma prognosis and see if you may be eligible for compensation to help pay for treatments that could allow you to live longer.

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Last updated: Oct 01, 2024

What Is the Average Prognosis for Mesothelioma?

The average prognosis for mesothelioma is 12-21 months with treatment and 4-12 months without treatment.

In many cases, malignant mesothelioma is diagnosed in the later stages of the disease, when the cancer has metastasized (spread) to other parts of the body. This makes it difficult to treat, leading to a poor prognosis.

However, treatment options like surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiation can help manage symptoms and possibly extend your mesothelioma life expectancy. Some patients may also qualify for clinical trials that offer new treatment options.

“Like most cancers, the prognosis for this disease often depends on how early it is diagnosed and how aggressively it is treated.”

– Penn Medicine, Abramson Cancer Center

Patients may be eligible for compensation to help pay for their medical bills and related expenses. LawFirm.com works with asbestos lawyers who’ve secured over $9.6 billion for mesothelioma patients and their families across the country.

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Prognosis of Mesothelioma by Type

There are four types of mesothelioma based on where the cancer occurs in the body, and each has a different prognosis. Learn more below.

Pleural Mesothelioma Prognosis

Patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma, which develops in the lining of the lung (pleura), have an average prognosis of 12-21 months.

Factors that can affect your pleural mesothelioma prognosis include the stage of your cancer, your overall health, and the treatments that you undergo.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma Prognosis

Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma, which develops in the lining of the abdomen (peritoneum), has an average prognosis of 53 months.

Patients with this type of mesothelioma are often diagnosed at an earlier age, so the abdominal mesothelioma prognosis is often better than the prognoses associated with the other types of this cancer.

Call (888) 726-9160 right now to see if we can connect you with top specialists who treat your type of mesothelioma.

Pericardial Mesothelioma Prognosis

Pericardial mesothelioma is a less common type of this cancer that develops in the lining around the heart (pericardium). Patients live 2-6 months on average.

Due to its rarity, pericardial mesothelioma often remains undiagnosed until advanced stages, so it has the worst malignant mesothelioma prognosis of all types.

Testicular Mesothelioma Prognosis

Testicular mesothelioma, the rarest type of this cancer, develops in the lining of the testes. Patients have an average mesothelioma prognosis of over 46 months if the cancer is discovered and treated before it has a chance to spread to other parts of the body.

Even though many cases are diagnosed in later stages, the prognosis for testicular mesothelioma is better than those associated with other types of this disease.

Prognosis by Cancer Stage

Your mesothelioma survival rate is influenced by several factors, including if the cancer is found in the early or later stages of the disease.

Pleural mesothelioma is the only type of mesothelioma with an official staging system. Patients with early-stage (stages I and 2) cancer have a better malignant mesothelioma prognosis since their tumors haven’t spread far inside the body.

The average malignant mesothelioma prognosis by stage and its corresponding 2-year mesothelioma survival rate (the percentage of patients still alive 2 years after diagnosis) are listed in the chart below. These numbers pertain to patients who undergo treatment.

Stage of Mesothelioma	Prognosis	2-Year Survival Rate
Stage 1	21 months	45%
Stage 2	19 months	41%
Stage 3	16 months	37%
Stage 4	12 months	26%

Other types of mesothelioma lack a formal staging system, so doctors rely on factors like tumor size and the extent of cancer spread to estimate a patient’s mesothelioma prognosis.

Larger tumors often suggest a more advanced stage of the disease, which is generally linked to a poorer prognosis than earlier stages.

Other Factors That Impact Mesothelioma Prognosis

In addition to the type of mesothelioma you have and the stage, several other factors may affect your malignant mesothelioma prognosis.

These factors include:

Age at diagnosis: Younger patients may be able to tolerate more aggressive cancer treatments, like surgery, which can improve their malignant mesothelioma prognosis.
Cell type: Epithelioid mesothelioma, the least aggressive form of the cancer, responds best to treatment. Patients with biphasic or sarcomatoid cell types generally face a more challenging prognosis.
Sex: Women with mesothelioma tend to live longer and respond better to treatment than men, according to the National Cancer Institute.

A mesothelioma prognosis isn’t solely determined by statistics or one doctor’s prediction. Each patient’s journey is unique, and there’s always hope.

LawFirm.com has registered nurses on staff who can help you navigate your diagnosis and find treatments that may improve your mesothelioma prognosis. Call (888) 726-9160 right now to get started. It’s free to speak with our team.

Improving Your Malignant Mesothelioma Prognosis

Getting care from doctors who specialize in mesothelioma and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help you live longer after your mesothelioma diagnosis. Learn more about how to improve your mesothelioma prognosis.

1. Get Treatment From a Mesothelioma Doctor

Doctors who specialize in treating mesothelioma can create a care plan tailored to the type of mesothelioma that you have and other factors specific to your case.

Mesothelioma treatments include:

Surgery to remove tumors and cancerous cells
Chemotherapy to shrink tumors or slow their growth
Immunotherapy to help the body recognize and attack mesothelioma cancer
Radiation therapy to reduce tumor size and ease symptoms

Mesothelioma doctors often recommend a combination of treatments (multimodal therapy) to give patients the best chance of fighting this cancer.

“There are more and more mesothelioma treatments being used today. And we’re starting to learn how these treatments can work together to really benefit patients.”

– Dr. Andrea Wolf, pleural mesothelioma specialist and researcher

2. Make Healthy Life Choices

Developing or maintaining healthy habits can help you recover from any treatments you undergo and improve your malignant mesothelioma prognosis.

You can focus on your overall health and wellness by:

Eating a balanced diet, which can boost your immune system and help you recover after treatment
Getting enough sleep so your body can rest and heal
Managing stress through breathing exercises, meditation, and other relaxation techniques
Staying physically active, which can improve your blood flow and relieve anxiety

Your doctor can recommend lifestyle changes you can make to help you feel better and minimize any treatment side effects you may be experiencing.

3. Join Clinical Trials

Clinical trials allow mesothelioma patients to access new and emerging treatments that researchers are studying.

These trials often feature experimental therapies that have shown potential in early research or preclinical studies. By joining a trial, you may receive cutting-edge treatments that could extend your mesothelioma survival time.

Did you know?

There are over 60 mesothelioma clinical trials actively recruiting patients as of September 2024.

Ask your doctor about mesothelioma clinical trials you may qualify for and the risks and rewards of participating.

Get a free case review now to see if you may qualify for compensation to help pay for treatments to improve your malignant mesothelioma prognosis.

Mesothelioma Survivors Who Outlived Their Prognosis

Some patients have outlived their initial malignant mesothelioma prognosis, reaching long-term survival and showing others that there is a path forward.

Find out about mesothelioma survivors who were originally told they only had months to live:

Diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma in 2006 and treated with cytoreductive surgery with heated chemotherapy.

Julie, 18+ year survivor

Diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma in 2018 and treated with chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and alternative therapies.

Arthur, 6+ year survivor

Diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma in 2019 and treated with chemotherapy.

John, 5+ year survivor

Diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma in 2007 and treated with cytoreductive surgery with heated chemotherapy.

Alexis, 17+ year survivor

Some of these survivors have achieved mesothelioma remission, meaning that no visible cancer remains in the body or the tumors are at least 50% smaller than they were before treatment.

“Never give up hope and remember that your life is yours, not the disease’s.”

– Julie, 18+ year mesothelioma survivor

Get Help Affording Mesothelioma Treatments

A mesothelioma diagnosis can turn your world upside down. Undergoing treatment for this cancer may improve your prognosis and allow you to live as long as possible.

The average yearly cost of mesothelioma treatment is over $400,000, a sum many may not be prepared to pay.

LawFirm.com works with mesothelioma lawyers who’ve secured over $9.6 billion for patients and their loved ones nationwide.

Our legal partners can help you explore mesothelioma compensation options and pursue money on your behalf if you qualify. There are no upfront costs or hourly fees to work with the lawyers in our network.

Call (888) 726-9160 right now or get a free case review to see if we may be able to help you pursue compensation to afford treatment.

Mesothelioma Prognosis FAQs

What is the prognosis for mesothelioma?

The prognosis (expected health outlook) for mesothelioma is about 12-21 months when patients receive treatment. However, some patients have beaten these odds and gone on to live for many years after a diagnosis.

A mesothelioma specialist can tell you your prognosis after reviewing your cancer stage, health history, and other factors.

What are the odds of beating mesothelioma?

The current 5-year survival rate for mesothelioma is 10%, according to Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center. This means that 10% of patients are still alive 5 years after being diagnosed.

Some patients have beaten these odds by undergoing life-extending treatments. A mesothelioma doctor can develop a treatment plan taking into account your type of cancer, mesothelioma cell type, and more.

Call (888) 726-9160 now to find top mesothelioma doctors near you.

How long will I live if I have mesothelioma?

How long you’ll live following a mesothelioma diagnosis differs for each patient. Some mesothelioma patients have lived for 15 years or more after getting treatment.

If you’re facing a diagnosis, a multimodal treatment plan combining different therapies may give you the best shot at improving your mesothelioma prognosis and your quality of life.

Can mesothelioma be cured if caught early?

While there’s no cure for mesothelioma, detecting the disease in its early stages can help patients improve their chances of long-term survival.

Cancer patients with early-stage mesothelioma typically have more treatment options available to them since the cancer is contained to a single area of the body.