The average life expectancy for mesothelioma is between 12 and 21 months. Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer, and every case is different. How long a patient lives after a diagnosis depends on health, age, treatment choices, and more.
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What Is Mesothelioma Life Expectancy?
Generally, the life expectancy after a mesothelioma diagnosis is one to two years. It is important to understand that life expectancy varies significantly and depends on individual factors in each case.
Here are some important facts about survival and life expectancy in people diagnosed with mesothelioma:
- Although survival rates in mesothelioma patients depend on a wide range of factors, a patient can expect a post-diagnosis survival time between 12 and 21 months.
- After aggressive treatment, the five-year survival rate for pleural mesothelioma is nearly 10%. This means that nearly 10% of patients are still alive five years later. Without treatment, life expectancy is less than eight months.
- The five-year survival rate for peritoneal mesothelioma after HIPEC treatment is nearly 50%.
- The life expectancy for any type of mesothelioma and any treatment at stage I is 22.2 months.
- Some patients live for less time, and others live years after a diagnosis. Each patient should talk to their physician about their own personal health and expectations.
Factors That Affect Mesothelioma Life Expectancy
Generally speaking, it is typically difficult, if not impossible, to predict accurate life expectancy after a patient is diagnosed with mesothelioma.
Studies suggest that a patient’s post-diagnosis life expectancy depends on a combination of several factors:
The Stage
Victims in Stage I or II of the disease have a much better survival rate than those diagnosed in later stages. Unfortunately, many people with mesothelioma are already in stage 3 or 4 by when diagnosed. Life expectancy by stage for any type of mesothelioma is:
- Stage 1 – 22.2 months
- Stage 2 – 20 months
- Stage 3 – 17.9 months
- Stage 4 – 14.9 months
Type of Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is primarily classified by the location of the original tumor, which affects life expectancy.
Pleural mesothelioma develops around the lungs and is the most common type of mesothelioma. It has the second longest life expectancy. Treatment can be difficult in the chest cavity, and surgery isn’t always an option.
Peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the abdomen and is the second most common type of mesothelioma. Peritoneal mesothelioma has the longest average life expectancy. Most people with abdominal cancers can tolerate more aggressive treatments than those with cancer in the chest cavity. This leads to a longer life expectancy.
Pericardial mesothelioma develops around the heart and is very rare. Treating cancer near the heart is difficult, so this type has a shorter life expectancy.
Cell Type
Mesothelioma can also be classified by cell type, which affects prognosis and life expectancy:
- Epithelioid Mesothelioma. Mesothelioma of epithelial cells is the most common and responds best to treatment. It has the longest life expectancy.
- Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma. Sarcomatoid cells are more likely to metastasize. This type of mesothelioma is less common and has a lower life expectancy because it is more aggressive.
- Biphasic Mesothelioma. A mix of both cell types is classified as biphasic and has a life expectancy between the other two.
Treatment
Treatment has a major impact on life expectancy. The earlier treatment begins and the more aggressive the treatments, the longer the life expectancy. Patients who are candidates for and choose surgery generally have longer life expectancies, for instance.
Cytoreduction with HIPEC treatment also offers longer life expectancies. This is a treatment for peritoneal mesothelioma. It involves surgically removing as many of the tumors as possible. This is followed by circulating heated chemotherapy drugs throughout the abdomen.
Patients who do not get treatment for mesothelioma have life expectancies of just six to eight months.
Age, Gender, and Overall Health
Younger patients generally have a better life expectancy for mesothelioma. This is probably because they are in overall better health and can tolerate more aggressive treatment.
The same is true for overall health. Healthier patients can choose more aggressive treatment options. Smoking is a lifestyle factor that greatly impacts health and cancer prognosis. Smokers are likely to have a shorter life expectancy.
The Role of Age and Gender in Life Expectancy
Male patients between 25 and 34 years of age and in good physical condition with no preexisting conditions have a good chance of surviving longer than 18 months.
Patients such as these benefit from early detection and surgical treatment of the disease. However, keep in mind that this age group is one of the least affected by asbestos-related cancer.
The average survival rate for older patients is bleaker. According to the American Cancer Society (ACC), even though 5% to 10% of patients diagnosed with mesothelioma can live for five years or more after the initial diagnosis, these individuals are usually young with cancers that can be surgically treated.
Since the average mesothelioma patient tends to be males aged 60-70 who were heavily exposed to asbestos during active work years, the cancer is already well-developed. These patients aren’t typically eligible for surgery.
Older patients also may have chronic health issues, such as cardiopulmonary diseases and hypertension, which reduce life expectancy.
Patients in these two age brackets (65-74 and 75-84) have the highest death totals. From 1999 through 2005, 12,150 out of the 18,068 recorded mesothelioma deaths occurred in patients aged 65 to 84.
What Is the Longest Someone Has Lived With Mesothelioma?
Although the grim facts of survival rates of mesothelioma can be discouraging, these statistics do not reflect everyone’s situation.
For instance, an Australian man named Paul Kraus has been living with mesothelioma since first receiving a diagnosis in 1997. This is just one of the several instances in which victims have gone on to defy the odds and live much longer than the average life expectancy of a mesothelioma victim.
Remember that current statistics are based on patients treated many years ago. As science progresses, the life expectancy and survival rate may improve for more victims as mesothelioma treatment options advance.
Can I Improve My Life Expectancy?
If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, there are steps you can take for a better prognosis and to live longer:
- Start treatment as soon as possible. Choose the most aggressive treatments you can tolerate and qualify for, including surgery.
- Work with mesothelioma specialists. This is a rare cancer, and many oncologists have never treated a patient with mesothelioma. Specialists can provide the best care.
- Improve your overall health with lifestyle changes. It’s never too late to improve your health with changes like losing weight, exercising, and quitting smoking. Talk to your medical team before making any big changes.
- Enroll in clinical trials if available. Clinical trials offer the latest treatment advances, which could help you live longer.
Mesothelioma Remission and Life Expectancy
Complete remission is uncommon in mesothelioma. Some patients achieve partial remission, which means the signs of cancer have reduced with treatment. In rare cases, a patient with mesothelioma achieves complete remission, with no signs of cancer.
Patients able to achieve some degree of remission with treatment can expect to enjoy a longer life expectancy.
Coping With a Poor Mesothelioma Prognosis
While there is some hope with a mesothelioma diagnosis, the prognosis is poor for most patients. Some patients find that taking on aggressive treatments and making other changes to improve their prognosis helps with coping.
Other ways to deal with a mesothelioma diagnosis include:
- Relying on family and friends
- Joining cancer and mesothelioma support groups
- Using palliative care to relieve symptoms
- Embracing faith or spirituality
Getting Legal Help
If you’ve been injured by asbestos, keep in mind that there is a good chance that you’ll qualify for considerable compensation. Don’t forget to fill out our form to get our free Financial Compensation Packet, filled with information on experienced asbestos and mesothelioma attorneys in your area. If you have questions or need additional assistance, contact us at 800-793-4540.
