Mesothelioma Remission and Recurrence

Mesothelioma remission occurs when tumors shrink or disappear following treatment, helping to relieve symptoms and extend survival. However, there’s always a risk of mesothelioma recurrence, where the cancer returns after treatment. Medical care may help patients achieve remission and fight the cancer if it comes back. See if you qualify for compensation to help pay for treatments.

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Last updated: Dec 12, 2024

Does Mesothelioma Go Into Remission?

Many mesothelioma patients have reached remission, which occurs when tumors shrink by at least 50% after treatment.

Patients with malignant mesothelioma may also achieve complete remission when there are no visible signs of cancer, also known as No Evidence of Disease (NED). While rare, some patients have maintained NED for 20 years or longer.

The likelihood of remission is higher if mesothelioma is detected early before it spreads. In the early stages, treatments like surgery and chemotherapy are more effective at removing or shrinking tumors.

Mesothelioma compensation may be available to help cover the cost of treatments that could send your cancer into remission. The only known cause of mesothelioma is asbestos exposure, and many companies hid the dangers to make money.

If you’re facing a mesothelioma diagnosis, LawFirm.com is here to help. We can connect you with top mesothelioma doctors and help you explore compensation options. Get started with a free case review.

Mesothelioma Remission vs Mesothelioma Recurrence

Doctors use the terms remission and recurrence to describe the current state of mesothelioma in a patient.

Mesothelioma Remission

Remission refers to a period when mesothelioma symptoms improve or disappear.

There are two types of mesothelioma remission cases:

Partial mesothelioma remission: The cancer shrinks but doesn’t fully disappear, with tumor size reduced by at least 50%.
Complete mesothelioma remission: All signs of the cancer have disappeared, but undetectable mesothelioma cells may still be present.

There is also a condition called stable disease, where the cancer neither grows nor spreads, and mesothelioma symptoms, if any, remain unchanged.

Mesothelioma Recurrence

Mesothelioma recurrence is a return of the cancer after a period of remission.

There are three forms of recurrent mesothelioma:

Local recurrence: The cancer returns at the original site.
Regional recurrence: The cancer reappears in nearby tissue or organs.
Distant recurrence: The cancer spreads to distant parts of the body, like the lungs, liver, or lymph nodes.

If you’re in remission, getting regular cancer screenings and medical care from your health care provider can help detect and treat mesothelioma recurrence as soon as possible. This gives you the best chance of sending the cancer back into remission.

Call (888) 726-9160 now for help finding treatments that may be able to send your mesothelioma into remission.

Mesothelioma Treatments for Remission

Several treatments can potentially lead to remission and improve your quality of life, even after a mesothelioma recurrence. Explore top treatment options below.

Surgery

The goal of surgery is to remove as much of the cancer as possible. Complete mesothelioma remission and long-term survival may be possible if all tumors and cancerous cells are successfully removed.

The three main mesothelioma surgeries are:

Cytoreduction with HIPEC: Treats malignant peritoneal mesothelioma by removing tumors from the abdominal lining, followed by heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) to eliminate any cancer cells left behind.
Extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP): For pleural mesothelioma, this surgery removes tumors, the lung lining (pleura), and the affected lung.
Pleurectomy with decortication (P/D): Removes the pleura and tumors without removing a lung.

Patients may be able to undergo surgery if they’re in good overall health and able to withstand the side effects.

Other Mesothelioma Treatments

In addition to surgery, other treatments may be used to shrink tumors and relieve the symptoms of mesothelioma. Doctors often use multimodal therapy (a combination of treatments) to give cancer patients the best shot at achieving remission.

These mesothelioma treatments may include:

Chemotherapy: Cancer-killing drugs can be used as a standalone treatment or after surgery to destroy remaining cells. Complete peritoneal mesothelioma remission was reached by one patient who underwent multiple rounds of chemotherapy, according to BMJ Case Reports.
Clinical trials: Researchers are testing new treatments to improve mesothelioma remission rates. Some patients whose cancer did not respond to standard treatments have achieved remission after receiving experimental treatments as participants in clinical trials.
Immunotherapy: This treatment helps the immune system target and destroy mesothelioma cancer. One patient achieved near-complete remission after undergoing immunotherapy for peritoneal mesothelioma, as noted in Clinical Colorectal Cancer.
Radiation therapy: Concentrated high-energy beams can be used to destroy cancer cells. A patient reached complete mesothelioma remission, according to Clinical and Translational Radiation Oncology.
Targeted therapy: Cancer cells are attacked while sparing healthy cells. MD Anderson Cancer Center found that 40% of peritoneal mesothelioma patients reached complete or partial remission with the targeted therapies atezolizumab and bevacizumab.
Vaccine therapy: This type of immunotherapy uses vaccines to improve the body’s immune response.

Your oncologist (cancer doctor) can develop a treatment plan aimed at sending your cancer into remission and improving your mesothelioma prognosis (health outlook).

“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

Get a free case review now to find out about new and emerging treatments that could lead to remission in your case.

Mesothelioma Remission Rate

Mesothelioma remission rates are relatively low as the cancer is often diagnosed after it has spread, limiting treatment options.

Here are some remission rates based on the type of mesothelioma:

Malignant pleural mesothelioma: About 7% of patients reached remission after being treated with chemotherapy and surgery, according to a study published in Lung Cancer.
Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma: 12% of patients achieved complete mesothelioma remission, as noted by a study in Surgical Oncology & Clinical Practice Journal.

These numbers are only averages. Everyone’s journey with mesothelioma is unique, and with treatment, remission may still be possible for you.

Contact us now to get connected with mesothelioma specialists. You may also be entitled to compensation to help pay for treatments.

Factors That Affect Mesothelioma Remission

While remission is never guaranteed, several factors can increase or decrease the chances of achieving remission in mesothelioma cases.

Key factors include:

Cancer stage: Early-stage mesothelioma is more treatable and offers a higher chance of remission.
Cell type: Some cell types respond better to treatments than others.
Overall health: Patients in good health may qualify for more aggressive treatments, improving their chance of remission.
Second opinion: Another doctor may suggest a treatment approach that could lead to remission.
Treatment: Treatments like surgery and chemotherapy can help remove or destroy mesothelioma tumors and cells, giving patients the best chance of remission.

Your medical team can explain how these factors impact your case and suggest ways to help you work toward sending the cancer into remission.

Survivors Who Have Achieved Mesothelioma Remission

Many mesothelioma survivors have gone public with their stories to help bring hope to patients and families facing a mesothelioma diagnosis.

Learn more about how these survivors beat the odds and achieved long-term remission.

Alexis Kidd was 37 when she received a diagnosis of peritoneal mesothelioma and was told she had less than 2 years to live. Alexis received a combination of surgery and chemotherapy at MD Anderson Cancer Center and is still thriving 17 years later.
Julie Gundlach developed peritoneal mesothelioma from asbestos her father unknowingly brought home on his work clothes. Given less than 1 year to live, the then 35-year-old underwent cytoreductive surgery with heated chemotherapy, allowing her to reach stable disease and 18 years of survivorship.
John Panza was 38 at the time of his pleural mesothelioma diagnosis and was already in stage 3 before starting treatment. He underwent an extrapleural pneumonectomy and other treatments and survived a mesothelioma recurrence. John’s cancer remains in remission 12 years later.

“Every day you wait or waste is one less day you can fight this disease.”

– John Panza, 12+ year mesothelioma survivor

Get Help Working Toward Mesothelioma Remission

Mesothelioma patients may be able to achieve remission, allowing them to spend more time with their loved ones.

LawFirm.com is committed to helping mesothelioma patients and their families connect with the support they need during this challenging time.

Our team can help you:

Find top doctors and cancer centers near you
Learn about treatments
Explore mesothelioma compensation options

Call (888) 726-9160 right now or fill in our form for assistance finding doctors and treatments that could improve your chances of remission.

Mesothelioma Recurrence and Remission FAQs

Can mesothelioma go into remission?

Yes, mesothelioma can go into remission, which occurs when tumors shrink or disappear after treatment. However, mesothelioma remission rates are typically low since the cancer is often diagnosed after it has spread.

Has anyone ever recovered from mesothelioma?

Yes, while mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer, there are cases where patients have achieved long-term remission, living for 20+ years.

For example, Art Putt was given less than a year to live after his mesothelioma diagnosis in 2018 but is still enjoying his life today, thanks to treatments including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and alternative therapies.

Call (888) 726-9160 to see if you qualify for compensation to help pay for treatments that could help you reach mesothelioma remission.

Can mesothelioma be cured if caught early?

While complete remission for mesothelioma is rare, even when caught in the early stages, many patients have lived for decades following a diagnosis.

Early detection often allows patients to undergo more effective cancer treatments, potentially allowing them to achieve mesothelioma remission.

What are the odds of beating mesothelioma?

The odds of beating mesothelioma vary depending on the patient’s stage and type of cancer, treatment options, and overall health.

Early detection and aggressive treatments like surgery can help some patients reach mesothelioma remission and extend their life expectancy.