Mesothelioma Life Expectancy

Doctors and researchers have attempted to improve the life expectancy of mesothelioma patients for decades. While there is no definitive cure available for mesothelioma, patients may choose to undergo treatment that may improve life expectancy and enhance their overall quality of life.
Life Expectancy Factors
Mesothelioma is a cancer most notably caused by asbestos exposure. The life expectancy of a mesothelioma patient may be impacted by a number of aspects, including latency period of symptoms, age at diagnosis, type of diagnosis and certain prognosis factors such as gender, histology and cigarette smoking.
Staging – Staging mesothelioma has demonstrated a significant impact on life expectancy.
Patients who have been diagnosed with Stage 1 mesothelioma (the earliest detection stage) may be a candidate for surgery to remove tumors. Prognosis at this stage can be very positive and the potential for a full recovery may be possible.
A Stage 2 diagnosis is considered an advanced stage because it often indicates the cancer has spread beyond its original point of origin. Surgery and other treatments may still be an option, but the projected life expectancy has decreased.
Stage 3 cases of mesothelioma are typically diagnosed after symptoms have arrived and the cancer has already progressed to an advanced stage of development. Palliative (non-curative) treatments to reduce symptoms may be considered during this stage.
At Stage 4, the cancer has spread to distant locations and the patient may be experiencing severe pain. Palliative treatments may be used to improve comfort, but the life expectancy of patients diagnosed during this stage has decreased significantly.
Age – The age of a patient at diagnosis can significantly compromise treatment options due to the presence of other health-related problems. Most reports indicate the average age of a mesothelioma patient is 60 years old. However, some researchers state the average age is dropping due to the influx of cases resulting from secondary exposure, which occurs when a friend or family member brings asbestos fibers into the home from an outside setting such as a workplace.
Mesothelioma Diagnosis – There are two major types of mesothelioma. The most common type is pleural mesothelioma, which impacts the lining of the lungs. The other major type is peritoneal mesothelioma and this form affects the lining of the abdomen. A third type of mesothelioma is pericardial mesothelioma, which affects the lining of the heart and is very uncommon. In rare cases, a fourth type of mesothelioma known as testicular mesothelioma may develop. Depending on the location of the tumor, a patient may be able to undergo surgery and other treatments to prolong life expectancy.
Asbestos-Related Latency – The severe latency period associated with the onset of symptoms may result in a late diagnosis. When referencing mesothelioma, latency period is defined as the period of time between exposure to asbestos and the moment the cancer become noticeable. Mesothelioma patients diagnosed in the later stages of development will often receive treatment to ease pain and discomfort rather than try to cure the disease.
Gender – Males are predominantly affected by mesothelioma cancer in comparison to females largely because of the relationship of asbestos exposure in certain occupational settings. While most studies only involve a small number of female patients, the majority of data collected points to a better prognosis for females. The explanation for this is still unclear.
Histology – The histological subtype is one of the most important prognosis factors for malignant mesothelioma. Patients with epithelioid mesothelioma have a much better life expectancy than those with a sarcomatoid or biphasic (mixed) subtype.
Cigarette Smoking – Another prognostic factor that can impact life expectancy is smoking. Those who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma should stop smoking as treatment results may be affected. Mesothelioma patients who have never smoked often live longer than patients who have smoked previously in life.
In addition to these prognostic factors, the efficacy of treatment is important when considering impacts on life expectancy. Treatment is improving with research and new medical advancements, and this is having a positive impact on the five-year relative survival rate. The graph below represents the percent of patients reaching five-year survival according to their age at diagnosis.
5-Year Relative Survival (Percent) 1999-2006
Age at DiagnosisPatients Reaching 5-Year Survival (%)
< 4539.7%
45-5415.7%
55-647.5%
65-746.0%
75+2.7%
Source: SEER Cancer Incidence Report
Prolonging Life Expectancy
There are a number of options for patients to relieve symptoms and extend their life expectancy. Patients can elect to undergo treatment to combat the disease, remove the cancer or kill cancerous cells, reduce pain or manage metastasis. Some factors that may improve life expectancy include:
Second Medical Opinion – Mesothelioma is often misdiagnosed. Patients could be diagnosed with Stage 3 mesothelioma at one hospital, and then discover from a second opinion they truly have Stage 2 mesothelioma. This initial misdiagnosis could have a big impact on treatment options and life expectancy.
Traditional Treatment – Surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy are the three forms of traditional treatment currently available to extend life expectancy. Tests to diagnose mesothelioma in its earliest stage of development are also being explored to enhance the effectiveness of current traditional treatments.
Untraditional Treatment – Therapies such as immunotherapy, gene therapy, photodynamic therapy and hormonal therapy are a class of experimental treatments. These therapies have improved life expectancy in some patients, but are only available through clinical trials since they are still in an experimental stage of medical testing.
Clinical Trials – Mesothelioma researchers are testing new medications and treatment approaches through clinical trials with the hope of improving life expectancy. Clinical trials allow patients to take advantage of new treatments that may extend survival, but may also come with an element of risk. Several mesothelioma clinical trials are currently recruiting patients, such as:
Pemetrexed (ALIMTA) Plus Cisplatin Followed by Surgery and Radiation Therapy for Mesothelioma
Video-Assisted Surgery or Talc Pleurodesis in Treating Patients with Malignant Mesothelioma
Extrapleural Pneumonectomy/Pleurectomy Decortication, IHOC Cisplatin and Gemcitabine with Amifostine and Sodium Thiosulfate Cytoprotection for Resectable Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
Phase II Study of IMC-A12 in Patients with Mesothelioma Who Have Been Previously Treated with Chemotherapy
Alternative Treatment – A selection of mesothelioma patients have benefitted from alternative or complimentary therapies such as acupuncture, meditation, massage or yoga. These alternative therapies do not aim to cure the disease, but can reduce stress and pain and may improve quality of life.
Nutrition – A number of dietary changes can affect a cancer patient’s life expectancy. Considering nutrition in the treatment plan could have positive impacts on pain, stress levels and response to treatment. The Mesothelioma Center offers a complimentary nutrition book to mesothelioma patients looking to learn more about diet and cancer.
Immune System Enhancers – Researchers report that a boosted immune system may be a unifying factor among many mesothelioma survivors.
Patients who are searching for a second opinion or an experienced mesothelioma doctor can contact the Doctor Match department at the Mesothelioma Center to learn more about their options depending upon their unique diagnosis and location. To take advantage of this complimentary service, please call the Doctor Match department at (800) 549-0544.