Mesothelioma Life Expectancy
Life expectancy is a prediction a doctor makes regarding how long a patient can expect to live after a mesothelioma diagnosis. The average life expectancy for mesothelioma is 12-21 months, however, many factors influence this number, including mesothelioma type, stage at diagnosis, and the patient’s overall health. Doctors work with patients to improve their life expectancy through personalized treatment plans.
What Is the Life Expectancy for Mesothelioma?
The average life expectancy for mesothelioma patients is approximately 12-21 months and varies based on factors like stage at diagnosis, mesothelioma cell type, and what type of mesothelioma the patient has.
Life expectancy, which is the predicted length of time a patient is expected to live after their diagnosis, is part of a patient’s overall mesothelioma prognosis.
Patients who respond well to mesothelioma surgery, chemotherapy, or other treatments may increase their life span by several months or even years.
Life Expectancy vs Survival Rate
When giving a patient their prognosis, doctors may also mention a survival rate, which is the percentage of people still alive after a particular amount of time. In mesothelioma patients, this rate is usually given in 1-, 3-, or 5-year increments.
Life expectancy may refer to a group of people or the individual patient and is usually given as a specific amount of time that patient is expected to live after diagnosis. In mesothelioma patients, this time span is usually measured in months.
Pleural Mesothelioma Life Expectancy
Patients with pleural mesothelioma can expect to live roughly 12 months after diagnosis. However, the stage at which they are diagnosed may influence life expectancy dramatically.
Stage 1
Stage 1 mesothelioma is contained to the lining (pleura) of one lung, giving doctors the best chance to remove the tumor through life-extending surgery and other treatments like chemotherapy.
Stage 1 pleural mesothelioma patients who undergo surgery have a median life expectancy of 22.2 months.
Stage 2
During stage 2 mesothelioma, the tumor remains on one side of the body but has started spreading beyond the lung lining into deeper tissues and nearby lymph nodes. Life-extending surgeries are usually still available.
Stage 2 pleural mesothelioma patients who receive surgery have a median life expectancy of 20 months.
Stage 3
In stage 3 mesothelioma, the cancer has spread even farther in the lung tissue and surrounding area. It is contained to nearby lymph nodes. Some patients in otherwise good health may still be eligible for life-extending surgery, but most treatment options are palliative in nature.
Stage 3 pleural mesothelioma patients who undergo surgery have a median life expectancy of about 17.9 months.
Stage 4
By the time a patient develops stage 4 mesothelioma, the tumor has spread to the other side of their chest and to distant areas in their body (metastasis).
Most treatments at this stage aim to ease symptoms, although chemotherapy, clinical trials, and/or other treatments may still help some patients live longer.
The median life expectancy for a patient diagnosed with stage 4 pleural mesothelioma is 14.9 months with treatment.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma Life Expectancy
The life expectancy for patients with peritoneal mesothelioma is around 51.5 months. Patients who are good candidates for the aggressive cytoreduction with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) procedure have a median survival of 53 months.
Peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms can be vague, making the disease difficult to diagnose early.
However, peritoneal mesothelioma tends to spread more slowly than other types, can be treated more aggressively because it is not near vital organs, and tends to remain in the abdomen even after it has metastasized.
Mesothelioma Life Expectancy Factors
Factors affecting life expectancy include:
- Cell type (histology)
- Mesothelioma stage
- Mesothelioma type
- Overall patient health
- Patient age
- Patient sex
- Treatment
- Year diagnosed
With so many factors influencing life expectancy, it can be difficult for a mesothelioma specialist to predict how long a patient will actually live. However, a few important factors have a particularly strong influence on life expectancy.
Mesothelioma Type
Each malignant mesothelioma type develops in a different area of the body, and some places are harder to treat than others. In turn, the type of mesothelioma a patient develops can greatly affect life expectancy.
For example, patients with pericardial mesothelioma (affects the lining of the delicate heart) have a lower life expectancy, while patients with peritoneal mesothelioma (affects the lining of the abdomen) have the highest.
Stage
Malignant pleural mesothelioma is the only type that is well-studied enough to be classified using an official staging system. However, as a general rule, the earlier a patient is diagnosed with mesothelioma, the longer they can expect to survive.
Stage at diagnosis may affect mesothelioma life expectancy because early-stage patients are better candidates for potentially life-extending surgery. Additionally, early-stage mesothelioma is further from metastasis.
About two-thirds of mesothelioma patients are diagnosed after their cancer is already advanced.
Cell Type
Mesothelioma is grouped into three main mesothelioma cell types based on how the cancer cells look and behave.
The type of cancer cells (epithelial mesothelioma cells, biphasic cells, or sarcomatoid cells) that make up a patient’s mesothelioma tumors can have a major impact on a patient’s life expectancy.
| Mesothelioma Cell Type | Median Life Expectancy |
|---|---|
| Epithelioid Mesothelioma | 12-24 months |
| Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma | 6 months |
| Biphasic Mesothelioma | 12 months |
Other Life Expectancy Factors
Life expectancy may be affected by many factors outside of a patient’s cancer traits. Various studies have shown characteristics of the patients, themselves, may influence life expectancy — sometimes considerably.
Other mesothelioma life expectancy factors include:
- Age: Mesothelioma patients under 45 tend to have the longest life expectancy after diagnosis.
- Sex: Women with mesothelioma are consistently shown to live longer on average than their male counterparts. This may be because men tend to have heavier asbestos exposure or because women tend to develop the disease at a younger age. Some studies also indicated that estrogen may play a role.
- Overall health: Mesothelioma patients who are in otherwise good health and do not smoke tend to have a longer life expectancy on average. Such patients are more fit for life-extending surgeries and tend to remain healthier longer.
Treatment to Improve Mesothelioma Life Expectancy
One of the best ways patients can improve their life expectancy by months or even years is by working with a specialist at a top mesothelioma cancer treatment center.
These facilities employ highly experienced doctors who can perform aggressive treatment options not available at all cancer centers.
Surgery
When mesothelioma is diagnosed at an early enough stage and a patient is otherwise fit, doctors usually recommend surgery to physically remove as much of the cancer as possible. Surgeons generally pair surgery with chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy.
Surgeries aimed at improving life expectancy include:
- Extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP)
- Pleurectomy/decortication (P/D)
- Cytoreduction with HIPEC
For patients who are diagnosed too late to undergo curative surgeries, chemotherapy usually becomes the primary treatment.
Multimodal Treatment Plans
Most mesothelioma specialists agree that combining more than one treatment (multimodal therapy) is the most effective way to increase survival time. In fact, the best chemotherapy results are currently achieved when paired with surgery, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS).
Clinical Trials
Mesothelioma clinical trials are controlled research studies done to develop and improve emerging treatments, such as gene therapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy.
The medical advancements made through these trials provide mesothelioma patients, especially those with late-stage cancer, opportunities to extend their life expectancy.
Mesothelioma Life Expectancy Without Treatment
The average survival of cancer patients who do not receive mesothelioma treatment is roughly 12 months. Some mesothelioma patients choose to or are eligible to receive only palliative care, which is designed to help with symptom management and improving quality of life.
Patients who don’t qualify for or who don’t want to undergo aggressive treatments are encouraged to talk with their oncologist and care team about their options.
Next Steps for Improving Life Expectancy
Treating mesothelioma as early as possible offers patients the greatest chance of extending their life expectancy. To access these treatments, work with a mesothelioma doctor who has experience performing various treatment options and knowledge about clinical trials.
As treatments continue to advance, patients have more opportunities than ever to try and live beyond mesothelioma survival statistics.
If you or your loved one is interested in pursuing treatment for mesothelioma, reach out to our team of Patient Advocates at (877) 449-6583 for help finding a specialist near you.
Easier Than It May Seem
Your individual situation may merit an actual lawsuit. However, it doesn’t have to be that complicated. Trusts have been set up to benefit victims of mesothelioma in such a way that lawsuits and court appearances aren’t needed. Contact us today and you’ll see how easy it can be to get the compensation you deserve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can file a mesothelioma claim?
A person who has been diagnosed with mesothelioma – as well as their spouse, child, or family member – may be able to file a claim to recover compensation from manufacturers of asbestos products. If the mesothelioma patient passes away, a family member or estate representative may also be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
How much money is in the asbestos trust fund?
An estimated $30 billion has been set aside in asbestos trust funds to compensate mesothelioma patients. Many companies that made asbestos products later filed for bankruptcy, so they created these trust funds to pay out future mesothelioma claims. If the company responsible for your asbestos exposure no longer exists, you may be entitled to money from their trust fund.
How do I file a mesothelioma claim?
To file a mesothelioma claim, contact an attorney who is experienced with these types of lawsuits. They will know where and when to file your claim, how to build the strongest case possible, and the best way to maximize compensation on your behalf.
What is the statute of limitations on mesothelioma claims?
The statute of limitations (deadline to file) for mesothelioma claims will vary depending on the state in which you file. In many states, it’s 2-3 years from the date of the mesothelioma diagnosis – though it may be longer if the mesothelioma patient has passed away. A mesothelioma lawyer can make sure your claim is filed within the required time frame.
How long do mesothelioma claims take?
Every mesothelioma claim is different, with circumstances and factors that are unique to that mesothelioma patient’s story. Though there’s no way to predict exactly how long a claim will take, an experienced mesothelioma attorney will ensure the process is handled as efficiently as possible.
Many claimants start to receive compensation in as few as 90 days after settling their mesothelioma claims.
What is the average payout for mesothelioma?
There is no guarantee of compensation when you file a mesothelioma claim, and countless factors affect how much money you might be able to recover (assuming your case settles). That said, 95% of these lawsuits are settled out of court, and the average settlement amount is $1-1.4 million.
How much is my mesothelioma claim worth?
Your mesothelioma case value depends on the specifics of your situation, such as the duration of your asbestos exposure, and the total cost of your mesothelioma treatment (as well as travel expenses and other related losses). The best way to figure out how much your claim is worth is to speak with a mesothelioma lawyer.
What type of mesothelioma claim do I have?
Most mesothelioma claims fall under one of four categories:
- Personal injury: You were exposed to asbestos (often through your job, or your loved one’s), so you file a lawsuit against the company that made the asbestos products.
- Asbestos trust fund: Similar to a personal injury claim, only the company in question went bankrupt, so you can’t sue them – but you may be able to access a trust fund they set aside for mesothelioma victims.
- Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits: U.S. military veterans who were exposed to asbestos during their service may qualify for related health care benefits through the VA.
- Wrongful death: When a mesothelioma patient passes away, their family member or estate representative may be able to file a lawsuit on their behalf, seeking money to pay for past medical expenses, pain and suffering, funeral expenses, etc.
A mesothelioma attorney can determine which type of claim makes the most sense for you and your family. (Some clients qualify for more than one.)
