Mesothelioma Survival Rate

02. Impacting Factors

Factors Affecting Mesothelioma Survival Rates

Mesothelioma survival rates have improved in recent years, particularly for malignant pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma. Patients are living longer due to new diagnostic methods that aid in early detection. The greater efficacy of new treatments and treatment combinations has also improved patient survival.

However, there are many factors that can influence survival rates, such as tumor location, age, gender, staging and other patient characteristics.

Tumor Location

One of the most important indicators of patient survival rate is tumor location. The area of the body where the mesothelioma cancer originates helps determine viable treatment options and thus survival rate. Depending on tumor location, patients who receive standard treatment may survive for six months to two years following diagnosis.

Testicular mesothelioma survival rates are the most favorable, due to tumor location and treatment options. Peritoneal mesothelioma also has a more favorable survival rate, as treatments have become more effective in recent years. Pleural mesothelioma develops near internal organs. This complicates treatment, leading to less favorable life expectancy. Pericardial mesothelioma has the least favorable survival rates, as it impacts the heart and has limited treatment options.

Age and Gender

Patient age and gender affect mesothelioma survival rates. On average, younger patients have a higher 5-year survival rate than older patients.

Mesothelioma doctors and researchers believe this variance is due to the overall health of younger individuals compared to those above 55 years old. Older patients tend to have other diseases and conditions that may complicate their health and ability to withstand aggressive treatment options.

Female mesothelioma patients also have better overall survival rates than men. Researchers believe this difference in survival rate is due to the greater incidence of secondary asbestos exposure among women than men. Secondary asbestos exposure occurs when asbestos fibers are brought home on the workers’ hair, skin and clothing. Additionally, women are more likely to develop peritoneal mesothelioma, which has a more favorable survival rate than other forms of the cancer.

5-Year Mesothelioma Survival Rate by Age and Gender
Age at Diagnosis	Male	Female
Ages <45	37.7%	58.6%
Ages 45 – 54	12.9%	37.2%
Ages 55 – 64	9.8%	17%
Ages 65 – 74	8%	14.7%
Ages 75+	2.8%	6.1%

Staging

The stage of mesothelioma at the time of diagnosis also influences survival rates. Early detection is the best way to improve a patient’s mesothelioma prognosis.

Early-stage mesothelioma diagnoses have higher survival rates than late-stage diagnoses. If diagnosed at stage 1 or 2, the disease is likely localized and can be targeted with surgery and other aggressive treatments.

When diagnosed at stage 3 or stage 4, the cancer has likely spread to distant areas of the body and is more difficult to treat.

Other Factors

In addition to tumor location, stage of disease and patient age and gender, there are a variety of other factors that impact survival rates, including:

• Cell Type: Epithelioid mesothelioma generally has the highest survival rates of the cell types, as it responds best to treatment. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma has the least favorable survival rate because the cells spread quickly. Sarcomatoid cells are also less responsive to treatment. Survival rate for biphasic mesothelioma, a combination of epithelioid and sarcomatoid cell types, varies according to which cell type is dominant.

• Genetics: The presence of biomarker BRCA1-associated protein-1 (BAP1) has shown longer survival rates. Through testing for the biomarker, doctors are able to distinguish epithelial mesothelioma (those with the biomarker) from biphasic mesothelioma. This understanding of the disease enables precise treatment.

• Lifestyle Factors: Patients with a history of smoking have lower survival rates than non-smokers. Cigarette smokers who are exposed to asbestos are about 50 to 84 times more likely to develop an asbestos-related disease.

• Blood Counts: High levels of platelets or white blood cells and low hemoglobin levels have been shown to negatively impact mesothelioma survival rates. According to research, elevated white blood cell counts lead to lower survival rates for patients with non-epithelial mesothelioma.

• Overall Health: Poor health factors, such as being overweight or having a compromised immune system, often result in lower survival rates.

• Race: About 95% of all mesothelioma diagnoses occur among white individuals. However, black patients have a more favorable survival rate. According to Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) data from 2009 – 2015, black patients had a 5-year survival rate of 16.8%. Comparatively, white patients had a 5-year survival rate of 10%.

Ultimately, patients should discuss their diagnosis with their physician to better understand survival expectations for their individual cases.

03. Improving Survival

Improving Mesothelioma Survival

Many factors negatively impact mesothelioma survival rates, but there are ways patients can improve their survival.

Mesothelioma treatment is the most influential factor in a patient’s survival.

For instance, peritoneal mesothelioma patients have found success with a combination of surgery with a heated chemotherapy wash. The chemotherapy wash, known as hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), has improved 5-year peritoneal mesothelioma survival rates to at least 50%. Some studies have noted a 5-year survival rate of 67% or higher.

Pleural mesothelioma patients who undergo aggressive pleurectomy/decortication (P/D) or extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) surgeries generally have a higher rate of survival than those who receive chemotherapy alone. Both surgeries are common in multimodal treatment plans. A P/D procedure removes the cancerous lung lining in an effort to prevent metastasis and increase life expectancy. An EPP procedure is more radical and involves removing the entire mesothelioma-impacted lung, along with other impacted organs and tissues.

Emerging treatments, such as immunotherapy, tested in clinical trials have also helped improve mesothelioma survival rates.

The treatment options available to patients are largely dependent on the type and stage of mesothelioma. For those with stage 1 or stage 2 mesothelioma, aggressive surgery to remove tumors and cancerous tissues or organs can lead to higher survival rates.

Those with a later stage diagnosis may not have the same surgical options available. By stages 3 and 4, the cancer has typically spread to the lymph nodes or distant organs and is difficult to remove. However, chemotherapy or radiation therapy treatments may still be beneficial and extend survival.

04. Mesothelioma Survivors

Mesothelioma Survivors

Mesothelioma survival rates provide patients with a general outlook on survival but don’t define individual cases. Advances in diagnostic tools and treatment techniques have lengthened life expectancies and improved survival rates for mesothelioma patients. These milestones have led to more long-term mesothelioma survivors. Mesothelioma survivors offer hope to patients and their loved ones following diagnosis.

Through aggressive treatments and emerging techniques, patients are able to live longer and become advocates for others. Mesothelioma survivor stories offer hope to those diagnosed with this disease.

05. Common Questions