Mesothelioma Survival Rate
A mesothelioma survival rate estimates how many people have survived a certain number of years after diagnosis. A five-year relative survival rate compares the percentage of people who are alive five years after a mesothelioma diagnosis with the expected survival of people the same age and sex in the general population.
These statistics describe population averages across large groups of people and can’t predict an individual’s prognosis. In general, people who receive mesothelioma diagnoses before the cancer spreads have higher long-term survival rates than those diagnosed at later stages.
Pleural Mesothelioma Survival Statistics by Stage
| National Cancer Institute SEER Summary Stage | Approximate Clinical Stage | 5-Year Relative Survival Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Localized | Stage 1-2 | 23% |
| Regional | Stage 3 | 15% |
| Distant | Stage 4 | 11% |
| All stages combined | — | 15% |
Mesothelioma Prognosis by Stage
Cancer stage is a crucial factor affecting mesothelioma prognoses because it shows how far the cancer has spread. Earlier-stage mesothelioma generally offers more treatment options and has better survival rates than advanced disease stages. For pleural mesothelioma, doctors determine the stage using the American Joint Committee on Cancer TNM staging system.
No matter your mesothelioma staging, experienced mesothelioma specialists can provide access to treatment options following an evaluation at a mesothelioma center. Because specialized treatment can be costly, many families also explore legal compensation to help pay for recommended care.
Stage 1 Mesothelioma Prognosis
Stage 1 mesothelioma generally has the most favorable prognosis because the cancer remains localized. People diagnosed at this stage are more likely to be candidates for multimodal treatment, combining surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy and, in selected cases, radiation therapy. Experts consistently associate earlier diagnoses with longer survival than later-stage disease.
Stage 2 Mesothelioma Prognosis
With Stage 2 mesothelioma, the disease has spread beyond its original location, but doctors may still treat it with surgery as part of multimodal therapy in some people. The prognosis is generally less favorable than Stage 1, but treatment at an experienced mesothelioma center may provide additional treatment options.
Stage 3 Mesothelioma Prognosis
In stage 3 mesothelioma, the cancer has spread to nearby tissues or lymph nodes, making treatment more challenging. Individuals may receive a combination of systemic therapy, supportive care and surgery when appropriate. Although long-term survival is less common than in earlier stages, some people respond well to treatment and live longer than expected with multimodal treatment and new therapies.
Stage 4 Mesothelioma Prognosis
Stage 4 mesothelioma is the most advanced stage because the cancer has spread to distant parts of the body. Treatment typically focuses on extending survival, controlling symptoms and maintaining quality of life through systemic therapy, supportive care and, when appropriate, clinical trials. Prognoses are generally less favorable than in earlier stages, but new therapies continue to improve outcomes for some people.
Mesothelioma Prognosis by Type
After a mesothelioma diagnosis, stage is only one factor affecting prognosis: Mesothelioma type and cell type also play important roles in survival and life expectancy. Pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma develop in different parts of the body, respond differently to treatment and have different survival outcomes.
Pleural Mesothelioma Prognosis
Pleural mesothelioma accounts for approximately 80% to 85% of all mesothelioma cases and is the form of the disease represented in the American Cancer Society and National Cancer Institute survival statistics. Median overall survival generally ranges from 12 to 21 months, although prognosis varies based on cancer stage, cell type, overall health and treatment. People diagnosed at an early stage who are eligible for multimodal treatment typically have the most favorable outlook.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma Prognosis
Peritoneal mesothelioma is much less common and often has a more favorable prognosis than pleural mesothelioma. This is particularly true for individuals treated at specialized mesothelioma centers with cytoreductive surgery, which removes tumors from the abdomen, and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy, which adds a chemotherapy wash to remove any tumors remaining after surgery.
Among carefully selected individuals who undergo these procedures, reported median overall survival is 53 months, ranging from approximately 30 to 92 months, and some high-volume centers have reported five-year survival rates greater than 50%. However, not every individual with peritoneal mesothelioma is a candidate for these treatments. Treatment recommendations depend on the extent of disease, overall health and whether doctors can remove all visible cancer.
Mesothelioma Prognosis by Cell Type
Cell type is a strong factor affecting mesothelioma prognosis because it influences how the cancer behaves and responds to treatment. Epithelioid mesothelioma is the most common type and generally has the most favorable prognosis, with a reported median survival of roughly 18 to 24 months.
Typically, sarcomatoid mesothelioma has the least favorable prognosis, with a reported median survival of about 6 to 12 months. Biphasic mesothelioma, a mix of epithelioid and sarcomatoid cells, has an intermediate prognosis, as its median survival rate is approximately 10 to 16 months.
| Cell Type | Approximate Share of Cases | Relative Prognosis | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Epithelioid | 50-70% | Most favorable | Responds best to treatment |
| Biphasic (mixed) | 10-15% | Intermediate | Prognosis varies by epithelioid-to-sarcomatoid cell ratio |
| Sarcomatoid | 10-20% | Least favorable | More resistant to treatment |
Factors That Affect Mesothelioma Prognosis
Several factors influence mesothelioma prognosis and life expectancy. While cancer stage is a strong predictor of survival, a person’s overall health, type of mesothelioma and available treatment options also play important roles.
- Cancer stage at diagnosis: Earlier-stage mesothelioma generally has a more favorable prognosis because more treatment options are available.
- Cell type: Usually, epithelioid mesothelioma has the most favorable prognosis, and sarcomatoid mesothelioma has the least favorable. Biphasic (mixed) mesothelioma is in between, and its prognosis worsens if there’s a higher ratio of sarcomatoid cells than epithelioid cells.
- Mesothelioma type: Peritoneal mesothelioma often has a more favorable outlook than pleural mesothelioma, especially for people treated at experienced mesothelioma centers.
- Age and overall health: Experts associate younger age, good overall health and strong physical performance status with better outcomes because they’re better candidates for multimodal treatment.
- Sex: Some studies have reported longer survival among women than men, although experts don’t fully understand the reasons, which likely reflect multiple biological and clinical factors.
- Access to specialist care and multimodal treatment: Evaluation at an experienced mesothelioma center may improve access to surgery, clinical trials and specialized treatment options, all of which may influence prognoses.
- How early treatment begins after diagnosis: Early evaluation by a mesothelioma specialist may provide access to more treatment options before the disease progresses.
Although these factors can help estimate prognoses, they don’t determine an individual’s outcome. Every case is different, and doctors should individualize treatment decisions based on the characteristics of the disease and the individual’s overall health.
Can Treatment Improve Mesothelioma Prognosis? Is Mesothelioma Curable?
Mesothelioma is incurable, but treatment can meaningfully extend survival and improve quality of life, and outcomes have improved with newer multimodal approaches. Treatment recommendations depend on the type and stage of mesothelioma, overall health and other individual factors.
Surgery remains an important treatment option for people healthy enough to tolerate it. Chemotherapy continues to play an important role in treatment, and immunotherapy and other newer systemic therapies have expanded options for many individuals with advanced disease.
For many individuals, doctors achieve the best outcomes through multimodal treatment, combining surgery with other therapies. Participation in clinical trials may also provide access to promising therapies that aren’t yet widely available.
How Legal Compensation Can Help Fund Treatment & Specialist Care
Compensation from asbestos lawsuits and trust funds helps cover the costs of medical care, travel to specialist centers, lost income and other expenses associated with a mesothelioma diagnosis. Although compensation can’t treat the disease on its own, it reduces financial barriers to recommended treatment and supportive care.
Meirowitz & Wasserberg helps individuals diagnosed with mesothelioma and their families understand their legal options and pursue compensation through asbestos claims, settlements and trust funds. We help people understand their legal options while they focus on treatment and spending time with their families. Every case is different and we are dedicated to each case we take on.
Mesothelioma claims are generally subject to filing deadlines that vary by state, but these deadlines aren’t always straightforward, so it’s important to understand your legal options early. In some situations, attorneys may file a claim in a state other than where a person currently lives, such as where the asbestos exposure occurred or where a defendant is located, which may affect the applicable filing deadline.
Legal exceptions, including the discovery rule, minority tolling and other fact-specific doctrines, may affect available deadlines. Claims submitted to asbestos trust funds also have their own filing requirements and deadlines that operate independently of state lawsuit time limits. Compensation amounts vary widely depending on the facts of each case. A free, no-obligation consultation can help you better understand the available legal options and applicable filing deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do you live with mesothelioma?
Median survival after a mesothelioma diagnosis has generally ranged from about 12 to 21 months, although outcomes vary widely depending on cancer stage, cell type, overall health and treatment. Some people live substantially longer than average, particularly when diagnosed earlier and treated at an experienced mesothelioma center.
Is mesothelioma curable?
Mesothelioma isn’t curable, but treatment can meaningfully extend survival, relieve symptoms and improve quality of life. Earlier diagnosis and treatment at a mesothelioma center may improve outcomes and expand available treatment options.
What is the five-year survival rate for mesothelioma?
The overall five-year relative survival rate for pleural mesothelioma is approximately 15%. Survival is higher when doctors diagnose the disease before it spreads.
What is the prognosis for stage 4 mesothelioma?
Stage 4 mesothelioma generally has the least favorable prognosis because the cancer has spread beyond its original location. Treatment focuses on extending survival, controlling symptoms and maintaining quality of life, although some individuals experience meaningful responses to newer systemic therapies and clinical trials.
Which mesothelioma type has the best prognosis?
Peritoneal mesothelioma often has a more favorable prognosis than pleural mesothelioma. This is especially true for individuals who receive a combination of cytoreductive surgery to remove tumors and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy to wash away any remaining tumors.
Does cell type affect mesothelioma prognosis?
Cell type is one of the strongest predictors of prognosis. Typically, epithelioid mesothelioma has a more favorable prognosis, biphasic mesothelioma has an intermediate outlook and sarcomatoid mesothelioma has the least favorable prognosis.
What factors improve mesothelioma life expectancy?
Early diagnosis, epithelioid cell type, good overall health and access to mesothelioma specialists are among the factors most consistently associated with improved survival. Evaluation at an experienced mesothelioma center may also provide access to surgery and clinical trials.
Can a mesothelioma legal claim help pay for treatment?
Compensation from asbestos lawsuits and trust funds may help cover the costs of specialist care, treatment, travel, lost income and other expenses related to a mesothelioma diagnosis. Every case is different, and compensation amounts and legal outcomes may vary.
About The Author
Daniel Wasserberg
Founding Partner
Daniel Wasserberg, a founding partner of Meirowitz & Wasserberg, is a Best Lawyers-recognized and Super Lawyers-rated mesothelioma attorney with over 20 years of experience. Named a Top 100 Trial Lawyer and Top 10 Asbestos-Mesothelioma Lawyer, he leads the firm's national asbestos practice.
