Mesothelioma Life Expectancy
The average life expectancy for a mesothelioma patient ranges from 12 to 21 months,
depending on a variety of factors, such as the stage in which the
patient was first diagnosed with the cancer. About 40 percent of
mesothelioma patients survive one year, and 20 percent live more than
two years.
Staging and Mesothelioma Life Expectancy
Increasingly, people who have aggressive asbestos-related
cancer find their lives being measured in years — not months. Improved
therapies and emerging drug combinations offer newly diagnosed patients a
reason to hope and spend more time with their loved ones.
Given the progressive nature of the disease, staging plays an important role in determining a mesothelioma patient's life expectancy.
Given the progressive nature of the disease, staging plays an important role in determining a mesothelioma patient's life expectancy.
Stage | Median Life Expectancy |
---|---|
I | 21 months |
II | 19 months |
III | 16 months |
IV | 12 months |
Experts say generalized life expectancy
predictions are almost impossible to make because each case is so
different, but the news is slowly getting better.
Extending Life Expectancy
Today, patients live longer than ever before. Some survive three, five, even 10 years and beyond their original prognosis, providing inspirational comeback stories for other potential survivors. The disease can change you forever, but many survivors continue to lead active lives, traveling and doing activities with grandkids and other loved ones.Cutting-Edge Treatment
Exceptions are becoming the rule, with the advent of genetic therapy, immunotherapy and today's multimodal treatments. Ongoing clinical trials are changing the perception of mesothelioma.Get Help Finding Clinical Trials
Specialized Care
Specialty cancer centers give patients the best chance at survival. That's why finding a specialist with experience in treating the disease is the first step toward increasing your life expectancy.Find a Mesothelioma Specialist
Factors That Affect Mesothelioma Life Expectancy
What influences how long you live after being diagnosed with mesothelioma?
Factors that affect life expectancy include the stage of the cancer,
tumor location and cell type as well as non-tumor factors such as age,
sex, blood characteristics and general health.
Tumor-Related Factors
The stage of the cancer at the time of diagnosis, tumor cell type, and the location of the tumor are known as tumor-related factors. These factors influence the type of treatment options you have available to you.Get a Free Mesothelioma Guide
Free information, books, wristbands and more for patients and caregivers.Non-Tumor Factors
In addition to tumor-related factors, other factors also can influence your life expectancy. Traits like overall health, age, gender and even characteristics of your blood indicate to a doctor how well your body will respond to treatment.Treatment and Life Expectancy
In developing a treatment strategy, your doctor will choose
treatments that he or she believes will have the most positive impact on
your life expectancy with the least physical side effects. He or she
will take into account all the factors and develop a treatment strategy
that will balance risk versus reward.
Multimodal Therapy
Medical studies show that multimodal therapy has the most positive impact on mesothelioma life expectancy. However, this type of treatment strategy is usually considered aggressive and places a tremendous strain on the body. Based on your situation, you may not qualify for this type of treatment.
Generally, to qualify for multimodal therapy,
the cancer must be in stage I or stage II. Some stage III patients
qualify, too, if they are in otherwise good health, are relatively
younger and have an epithelial or biphasic tumor type.
High-Dose Radiation
Doctors in Italy have conducted a study showing impressive results from a new high-dose radiation system following aggressive pleurectomy/decortication surgery. The two-year survival rate was 70 percent.Alternative Therapy
Studies show that mesothelioma patients have benefitted from alternative or complementary therapies such as acupuncture, meditation, massage and yoga. These therapies may reduce stress, pain and improve quality of life.Diet & Nutrition
In addition, a number of dietary changes can affect a mesothelioma patient's life expectancy. Considering nutrition in the treatment plan could have positive impacts on side effects, stress levels and response to treatment.Experimental Treatments
There is a chance that your best opportunity at a longer life could come from experimental treatment in a clinical trial.
Mesothelioma researchers constantly test new medications and treatment
approaches, and clinical trials allow patients to take advantage of new
treatments that may extend survival. Unfortunately, new treatment may
also come with a higher element of risk.
There are several experimental therapies being investigated to slow the progress of mesothelioma. Some show promise in extending life expectancy, including immunotherapy and photodynamic therapy (PDT). Newer, targeted drugs that are effective in killing cancer cells — such as gene therapy — may soon extend life expectancy.
Medical advancements continue to refine methods of detecting and managing the disease. As a result, the life span of its sufferers is gradually improving. As more research is done and more alternative treatment options are explored, mesothelioma patients are being offered a wider range of choices that may ultimately modify their prognosis and significantly extend their life spans.
There are several experimental therapies being investigated to slow the progress of mesothelioma. Some show promise in extending life expectancy, including immunotherapy and photodynamic therapy (PDT). Newer, targeted drugs that are effective in killing cancer cells — such as gene therapy — may soon extend life expectancy.
Medical advancements continue to refine methods of detecting and managing the disease. As a result, the life span of its sufferers is gradually improving. As more research is done and more alternative treatment options are explored, mesothelioma patients are being offered a wider range of choices that may ultimately modify their prognosis and significantly extend their life spans.
Survivor Stories
Karen Selby talks about what she would say to someone who was just diagnosed with mesothelioma.
Paul Kraus is an Australian factory worker who was diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma in 1997. Kraus applied several different therapies and lifestyle changes, including shifting to a vegetarian diet and taking nutritional supplements. He still has mesothelioma but is pain-free. At the extreme limit of mesothelioma survival is the case of acclaimed American scientist Stephen J. Gould, who lived for 20 years after being diagnosed. He died of an unrelated condition and authored a popular article about mesothelioma statistics that inspires patients to remain hopeful because each case is so unique.
See More Survivor Stories
Additional Resources
Free VA Claims Help for Mesothelioma
Free Mesothelioma Information Guide
Financial Assistance for Mesothelioma
Author
Karen Selby
Karen Selby is a registered nurse and a
Patient Advocate at The Mesothelioma Center. She worked in several
subspecialties within nursing before joining Asbestos.com in 2009.