Mesothelioma Survival Rate

Mesothelioma Survival Rate

"How long can I live with this disease?" It is common for those who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma question. In fact, many patients return to their doctor with this question as concerned friends and family members. As with most diseases, however, no answer as to the life expectancy of a mesothelioma patient. In general, mesothelioma survival rate is based on a number of different factors. Each case is a little different and though the survival rate of mesothelioma victims has traditionally been grim, more and more patients are living longer with the disease as scientists discover new and more effective ways to detect and treat the disease.

Survival rates for mesothelioma patients depend on a variety of factors that may include any or all of the following:

Mesothelioma latency period

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that has a very long latency period. In essence, this means that the disease often "hides" in the body for many years, sometimes up to four or five decades. Hence, 40-50 years may have passed since I saw the first initial exposure to asbestos. This long latency period also means that the disease is not detected until symptoms arise. Often, at that time, the cancer has spread from the primary site to other parts of the body.
Stage of disease at diagnosis

The people whose mesothelioma is discovered in Stage 1 or 2 have a greater chance of surviving the disease for an extended period of time due to the fact that more treatment options available to them. People diagnosed with Stage 3 or 4 mesothelioma have fewer treatment options, and therefore less favorable prognosis. The mesothelioma worse prognosis observed in patients with advanced cancer who have or are symptomatic with distant metastases of the primary tumor, that is, the cancer has spread from the primary site to other parts of the body.
Tumor operation

Because the aforementioned latency period, surgery to remove the primary tumor mesothelioma is often not an option. However, if the disease is discovered at an early stage surgical procedure to remove the tumor may be a possibility, especially when the patient is otherwise healthy.
Patient age

The younger the patient, the greater the chance of survival. Studies have shown that age plays a factor indeed in the survival rate and young patients certainly fair better.
Comorbidity with other diseases

Patients, especially the elderly, who have many other medical problems are less likely to survive for long with mesothelioma. This is especially true with older patients, who represent a large number of victims of mesothelioma. Heart disease, kidney problems, diabetes, hypertension, and a number of other diseases or disorders can severely impact treatment options and, therefore, shorten lifetime of a patient.

Mesothelioma treatment plan

The length of time a mesothelioma victim survives may depend on the treatment (s) received. Most doctors will be as aggressive as possible, understanding that this is a difficult cancer to treat.
Area and type of illness

Mesothelioma comes in various forms. About 75 percent of cases appear in the pleura, 15 to 20 percent in the peritoneum, and only 5 percent in the pericardium. Pleural mesothelioma is easier to treat and patients usually have a survival rate of mesothelioma than those whose disease is centered elsewhere. In addition, people with epithelial mesothelioma (most cases are of this type) have a better prognosis than those with other types of mesothelioma.


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