Mesothelioma Survival Rate — Learn more about expected survival rates of mesothelioma patients after diagnosis.
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Share ArticleMesothelioma is a rare form of cancer typically caused by asbestos exposure, forming 20 to 40 years after the patient’s exposure to asbestos. In malignant mesothelioma a cancerous tumor forms on the lining the chest or abdomen, known as the mesothelium. In the United States, there were more than 18,000 deaths attributed to malignant mesothelioma between 1999 and 2005, and there are 3,000 new cases of mesothelioma reported each year.
Asbestos, a fibrous mineral material which was once widely used in the construction, manufacturing, metalworking and shipbuilding industries because of its heat—and fireproof nature, has been recognized as a highly toxic substance. Asbestos is composed of millions of microscopic fibers which can be inhaled by humans, and which can then become trapped in the body’s soft tissues. The mesothelium, which surrounds and protects the lungs, heart and stomach, is one of the most vulnerable areas of the body to these fibers, which can be long and needlelike, or soft and curly. Once the fibers are in place, they cause the surrounding cells to behave erratically and replicate without order, thereby leading to a tumor. There are three main types of mesothelioma. Malignant pleural mesothelioma, the most common type, affects the lungs and chest cavity, whereas peritoneal mesothelioma originates in the stomach cavity, and pericardial mesothelioma begins in the mesothelium around the heart.
Following a mesothelioma diagnosis, one of the patient’s first questions will typically concern the expected survival rate. Generally, only 10 percent of mesothelioma patients live for five years or more following the cancer diagnosis. However, the average survival rate for a mesothelioma patient is four to 18 months after being diagnosed.
Mesothelioma is an extremely aggressive form of asbestos cancer that is nearly always fatal, and there are several factors that complicate the diagnosis, making this disease difficult both to detect and treat. One of the problems with mesothelioma is its long latency period. Since it is usually diagnosed in persons over the age of 50, long after the initial exposure, this means that the patient’s overall health may not be good enough to allow for more aggressive mesothelioma treatment options. Another problem is that its symptoms often are nonspecific and resemble the symptoms of other, more common respiratory diseases, such as bronchitis, influenza or emphyzema. This leads some patients to delay seeing their doctor, since they are waiting out the symptoms or underestimating their seriousness. Additionally, unless their doctor is alerted to the fact that the patient may have been exposed to asbestos in the past, he or she is likely to misdiagnose the disease. For all of these reasons, the mesothelioma has usually reached an advanced stage by the time it is accurately diagnosed.
In addition, mesothelioma is a fairly rare disease, and many patients die relatively quickly after receiving their diagnosis, which makes it more difficult to develop clinical trials for medications and treatment options.
Once a person is diagnosed with mesothelioma, treatment options should be discussed with the physician. Scientific research has produced recent breakthroughs for treatment options, including managing the disease and improving the patient’s quality of life. In addition to newer drugs that are used specifically for asbestos-related cancer, mesothelioma patients have many conventional treatment options, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery.
The average survival rate for mesothelioma patients is complicated because there are many factors which influence the numbers. The survival rate is influenced by the stage of the cancer’s development at diagnosis, the tumor’s size, the amount of fluid in the chest, the type of mesothelioma cells, whether the patient is a candidate for surgery, and the age and overall health of the patient. If the patient is diagnosed with mesothelioma in Stage I, has good overall health otherwise, he may be a good candidate for surgery. Following successful surgery and other treatments, this patient’s survival rate may far surpass the average rate of survival for mesothelioma patients.
As with any cancer, earlier diagnosis usually means more treatment options are available, and there is a higher success rate for shrinking or removing the tumors. In later stages, patients may undergo various treatments, including radiation and chemotherapy, which are the most common treatment options for later-stage mesothelioma patients. The patients with the most advanced cases of mesothelioma may opt not to undergo these forms of treatment at all, since they may find that the side effects outweigh their benefits. They may still receive pain medication, or experiment with alternative therapies to make them more comfortable. Popular options include acupuncture, massage, nutritional supplements, yoga, and meditation. Patients have reported increased comfort and improved quality of life by using these alternative treatment therapies.
Due to the recent advancements in treatment options, the survival rate is improving as well. However, the prognosis is generally poor. The majority of patients receiving a mesothelioma diagnosis generally are told their survival rate is less than one year. However, there are many cases where patients have lived past their predicted survival date, which provides additional hope to other sufferers.
The statistical information regarding survival rates is discouraging for many mesothelioma cancer patients and their families. As treatment options improve, mesothelioma patients are experiencing renewed hope, and research studies are ongoing to expand the survival rates. Many patients find hope through participating in clinical trials. These trials are designed to test new treatments and drugs to determine if they are safe and effective to be offered to the general public. Any new medications have to undergo the clinical trial process before being evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
At present there is little chance of a cure for mesothelioma; however, patients may choose intensive treatment to prolong their life or improve the quality of life. First, smoking can greatly reduce the survival rate of mesothelioma patients. Anyone who receives this diagnosis is urged to quit smoking immediately.
For the mesothelioma patients who have survived far past their expected survival rates, or even been cured, medical professionals have been unable to fully explain their survival rates. Research indicates that the immune system may be the key, as studies have shown that most patients who have longer survival rates participated in therapies designed to enhance their immune system. Treatments ranged from clinical immunology trials to alternative therapies that concentrated on the immune system. The theory is that exposure to asbestos fibers caused the eventual breakdown of the immune system years later. Some researchers are now focusing on immune system treatments to stabilize or even cure mesothelioma.
Finally, it’s important to remember that no two mesothelioma patients are alike, and every person will respond to treatment differently.
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