What Is Mesothelioma Life Expectancy?
Life expectancy is the length of time a patient can expect to survive after diagnosis. It can vary greatly based on whether patients receive treatment or not. The average mesothelioma life expectancy is:
- 18 – 31 months with treatment
- About 6 months without treatment
Many factors, like cell type, location and cancer stage, impact life expectancy. Patients who get treatment commonly live longer than the average, and life expectancy can change over time. You can discuss how these factors could affect survival with your doctor.
Factors Affecting Mesothelioma Life Expectancy
Besides location and cell type, mesothelioma life expectancy may vary for many reasons. Common factors include mesothelioma stage at diagnosis, tumor location and overall patient health. Many of these factors are outside of a patient’s control. Still, it may be helpful to understand how individualized life expectancy can be. While the average life expectancy may be accurate for some patients, it can vary for others. Many factors influence life expectancy, so it is unique to each case. Having a custom treatment plan may help improve life expectancy. Patients should work with mesothelioma specialists to develop their treatment plans.
Mesothelioma Type and Tumor Location
The type of mesothelioma and where tumors form in the body play a major role in how long patients may live after diagnosis. Cancers that develop in the abdominal lining tend to respond better to treatment and offer longer survival times. Tumors near the heart or lungs are generally harder to treat and linked to shorter life expectancy. Rare forms, such as testicular mesothelioma, can sometimes allow for significantly longer outcomes compared to other types.
| Mesothelioma Type | Tumor Location | With Treatment | Without Treatment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pleural Mesothelioma | Develops in the lining of the lungs | 18 months | 4 – 6 months |
| Peritoneal Mesothelioma | Develops in the abdominal lining tissue | 31 months | 4 – 6 months |
| Pericardial Mesothelioma | Forms in the lining surrounding the heart | 6 months | |
| Testicular Mesothelioma | Forms in the tissue surrounding the testes | 6 years |
Average life expectancies only provide a general idea of what to expect based on outcomes in other patients. With treatment, many individual patients outlive these estimates.
Average Life Expectancy by Mesothelioma Type
- Pleural Mesothelioma: With treatment, the average life expectancy for pleural mesothelioma is about 18 months. Research shows that treatment can improve pleural mesothelioma life expectancy. Common pleural mesothelioma treatment methods include surgery and multimodal therapies. With treatment, some pleural mesothelioma patient lifespans have reached three years and longer. For example, an extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP), a more aggressive procedure can extend life expectancy to around 36 months for some patients, particularly when combined with chemotherapy and/or radiation.
- Peritoneal Mesothelioma: With treatment, the average life expectancy for peritoneal mesothelioma is about 31 months. Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is considered one of the most effective treatments for peritoneal mesothelioma. It is often performed after cytoreductive surgery (CRS). Some peritoneal mesothelioma patients who receive HIPEC plus CRS can extend life expectancy to roughly 48 months. Some patients have lived much longer.
- Pericardial Mesothelioma: With treatment, the average pericardial mesothelioma life expectancy is about six months. These tumors being so close to the vital organ may impact treatment approaches. Pericardial mesothelioma is a less common form of mesothelioma. As a result, treatment options may be limited.
- Testicular Mesothelioma: For testicular mesothelioma with treatment, the average life expectancy is about six years. It is one of the least common forms of mesothelioma. Treatment may improve life expectancy in some cases. Some testicular mesothelioma patient lifespans have reached 10 years or more with treatment.
Mesothelioma Cell Type
Mesothelioma cell type also impacts patient life expectancy. Mesothelioma occurs in three main cell types: biphasic, epithelioid and sarcomatoid. Epithelioid mesothelioma life expectancy is usually better than other cell types. This difference may stem from the way each type responds to treatment.
Mesothelioma Stage
Diagnosing and identifying early-stage mesothelioma may lead to a longer life expectancy. At stage 1 or 2, the cancer is localized and may not have metastasized, leaving many treatment options open. In later stages, mesothelioma may have spread to lymph nodes or distant organs. This kind of tumor growth can limit treatment options. For example, late-stage patients may not be eligible for certain surgeries.
How Does the Stage of Mesothelioma Affect Life Expectancy?
The ranges below are based on peritoneal and pleural mesothelioma patients who receive treatment.
- Stage 1: 21 months or longer
- Stage 2: 19 – 67 months
- Stage 3: 16 – 56 months
- Stage 4: 12 – 26 months
At earlier stages of mesothelioma, patients may have more treatment options. Treatments may also be better tolerated in early-stage mesothelioma patients. Early detection remains a key factor in improving outcomes and extending survival.
Patient Age, Gender and Overall Health
- Age: Some research shows patients 75 years or older may have a shorter life expectancy than those 50 years or younger. One study showed individuals diagnosed with mesothelioma at age 44 or younger lived almost six times as long as those diagnosed at 75 or older.
- Health: General health can also affect the life expectancy of mesothelioma patients. Patients in good health may have more treatment options available to improve lifespan. Patients with poorer health or pre-existing conditions may have fewer treatment options available. This may result in a shortened life expectancy.
- Gender: In general, women diagnosed with mesothelioma live longer than men with mesothelioma. One study found women lived about eight months longer than men.
Other Factors Affecting Mesothelioma Life Expectancy
- A history of smoking: Cigarette smoking does not cause mesothelioma. Cigarette smokers who are exposed to asbestos may be more likely to develop asbestos-related lung cancer. Smoking may also impact the effectiveness of some treatments.
- Blood cell counts: Some blood characteristics may impact life expectancy or a patient’s treatment response. Examples include elevated white blood cell count, high platelet count and low hemoglobin levels.
Resources for Mesothelioma Patients
Mesothelioma Life Expectancy With Treatment
With treatment, the average mesothelioma life expectancy is 18 – 31 months. But patients who undergo comprehensive treatment may outlive these estimates.
“We had 136 surgical candidates who lived longer than five years, so we are seeing an impact from aggressive local therapy.”
Mesothelioma Specialist
Mesothelioma doctors can create personalized treatment plans aimed at improving survival time. These treatment plans may combine different methods, like surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Recommended treatment options vary case by case. Because of individual factors, some treatments may be a better fit than others.
Life Expectancy Range by Treatment Type
- Chemotherapy: 1 – 5 years
- Immunotherapy: 1.5 – 2 years
- Multimodal Therapy: 1 – 6 years
- Surgery: 1 – 6 years
Some patients may qualify for other treatments through clinical trials, which study how effective new treatments may be. Alternative therapies may also be an option for some patients. These treatments may not improve life expectancy, but they may improve quality of life.
What Is Mesothelioma Life Expectancy Without Treatment?
The average mesothelioma life expectancy without treatment is about six months. Factors including cell type and stage can influence survival time without treatment. The same factors may impact survival for patients receiving treatment, too. Doctors can explain how treatment can impact each patient’s individual life expectancy.
Other than treatments aimed at extending life, patients can also receive care to improve quality of life. This approach is known as palliative care and can benefit patients with any stage of cancer.
Can Patients Improve Mesothelioma Life Expectancy?
Treatment offers the best chance to improve a mesothelioma patient’s life expectancy. But patients can do other things that may improve their quality of life and extend survival.
Specific things patients may want to consider include:
- Working with a mesothelioma specialist: These doctors have experience treating this type of cancer. They read the latest research and know which treatments work best in specific cases.
- Working with a cancer nutritionist: A good diet can help improve quality of life and prepare for treatment. It may also reduce side effects and boost recovery after treatment.
- Managing Stress: Engaging in mindfulness activities such as meditation, journaling, and gentle breathwork to maintain emotional well-being and reduce stress.
- Engaging in Exercise: The American College of Sports Medicine recommends that cancer survivors exercise regularly. This recommendation includes weekly aerobic and strength training activities. Patients can discuss fitness regimes and training options with their oncology teams.
Besides treatment, various factors may influence malignant mesothelioma life expectancy, including age, cancer location, cell type, gender, pre-existing conditions, and tumor stage. While some factors are beyond a patient’s control, no single factor determines life expectancy. And people routinely outlive their survival estimates.
Common Questions About Mesothelioma Life Expectancy
- How long can you live with advanced mesothelioma?
The average life expectancy for advanced stage 4 mesothelioma ranges from about 12 – 26 months. However, life expectancy can vary based on other factors like treatment approach.
- Can mesothelioma life expectancy be improved?
Multimodal treatments with surgery and chemotherapy have improved mesothelioma life span by months to years. Immunotherapy and other treatments have also improved mesothelioma life expectancy for some patients. Mesothelioma doctors can consider all options and develop a personalized treatment plan.
- What is the difference between life expectancy and prognosis?
Life expectancy is the length of time a patient is expected to live. Prognosis is a more complete look at what the patient can expect from their condition and its treatment. This may include the patient’s potential lifespan and quality of life. A comprehensive prognosis often includes life expectancy and survival rate data.
- What mesothelioma cell type has the best life expectancy?
Of the three main cell types, epithelioid mesothelioma generally has the best life expectancy, ranging from about 19 months to 6.5 years. This may be because epithelial cells respond better to treatment than other cell types.
