Mesothelioma Prognosis
When a patient learns of a mesothelioma diagnosis, a doctor will typically discuss their prognosis, or the usual course the cancer will take, based upon several different factors. A mesothelioma prognosis is typically impacted by the following:
Early Detection: When mesothelioma is detected early, the prognosis is generally more favorable, as the cancer may not have spread to other parts of the body and may be more receptive to various treatments and surgery. The most common risk factor associated with mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos.
Those who have been exposed to asbestos may wish to alert their doctor, as this may aid in the early detection of mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease.
Pleural Mesothelioma 5-Year Survival Rate
Type of Mesothelioma: A patient’s prognosis can be affected depending upon whether they are diagnosed with pleural, peritoneal, pericardial or testicular mesothelioma. Statistics show that approximately 10 percent of patients with pleural mesothelioma will survive for five years following diagnosis. Statistically speaking, pleural mesothelioma patients have the most optimistic prognosis.
Overall Health: Patients diagnosed with mesothelioma who are otherwise healthy may have an easier time undergoing intensive treatment, such as chemotherapy, than someone with pre-existing health issues. Additionally,non-smokers often have a better prognosis than patients who smoke.
Stage of Mesothelioma: Doctors typically discuss the severity of a patient's cancer in terms ofstages, ranging from Stage 1 to Stage 4. Patients with Stage 3 or Stage 4 mesothelioma will typically have a poorer prognosis than patients with Stage 1 or Stage 2 mesothelioma.
For example, in a study published in the European Respiratory Journal involving 167 patients with pleural mesothelioma, participants with Stage 1 pleural mesothelioma survived for 359 days, while those with Stage 3 or Stage 4 (combined) mesothelioma survived approximately 112 days. In general, treatment options are typically more limited and surgery may not be an option once the cancer has progressed beyond Stage 2.
Stage I Mesothelioma Patients Averaged a 359-day Life Span Following Diagnosis
Stage III and IV Patients Averaged a 112-day Combined Life Span Following Diagnosis
Cell Type: Mesothelioma histology impacts a patient's prognosis, as those with epithelial mesothelioma have a greater life expectancy than those with sarcomatoid or biphasic mesothelioma.
Size and Location of the Tumor: The size and location of a patient's tumor can impact their prognosis. Patients with tumors that have progressed or spread to other parts of the body generally have a poorer prognosis. Patients with tumors that may be surgically removed often have a better prognosis.
Progression of Symptoms: Patients who are experiencing serious symptoms of mesothelioma, such as chest pain or shortness of breath, may have a weakened prognosis, because the prevalence of mesothelioma symptoms often indicates the cancer has progressed to a later stage of development.
Additional factors, such as age and a patient's response to surgery may also affect a patient's prognosis.
| Favorable Prognostic Factors | Poor Prognostic Factors |
|---|---|
| Stage I or Stage II Mesothelioma | Stage III or Stage IV Mesothelioma |
| Tumor Located in One Area of the Body | Tumor Progressed to Other Parts of the Body |
| Good Overall Health | Preexisting Health Conditions, Poor Overall Health |
| Epithelial Mesothelioma | Sarcomatoid, Biphasic Mesothelioma |
| Age 55 or Below | Over Age 55 |
| Non-Smoker | Smoker |
| Female | Male |
Current Prognosis Studies
The ability to provide patients with a more accurate mesothelioma prognosis increases as results from ongoing studies continue to surface. According to a January 2011 study conducted by the University of South Wales, females with mesothelioma may have a more positive prognosis, as the expression of the estrogen gene may lead to tumor suppression.
Additionally, a February 2011 study involving 636 patients with pleural mesothelioma conducted by the Division of Thoracic Surgery and Department of Pathology of Brigham and Women's Hospital in Massachusetts notes that patients with pleural mesothelioma who underwent an aggressive surgery known as an extrapleural pneumonectomy experienced extended survival.
Typical Mesothelioma Prognosis
Patients Surviving 5 or More Years Following a Mesothelioma Diagnosis (%)
Patients < 45 Years of Age
Patients 45- 54 Years of Age
Though a patient's prognosis varies greatly depending on the factors mentioned above, patients under the age of 45 appear to have a more optimistic prognosis. A study conducted by the American Cancer Society (ACS) involving 2,959 patients noted that nearly 37 percent of mesothelioma patients who were less than 45 years old survived for more than five years after diagnosis. Approximately 20 percent of patients aged 45 to 54 survived for longer than five years.
According to a study published by the Journal of Thoracic Oncology, the survival rate for mesothelioma patients is generally considered to be one year.
Improving Prognosis
Following a mesothelioma diagnosis, patients may wish to learn more about how they can improve their prognosis. Many patients will elect to undergo treatment to fight the cancer.
Common treatment options include:
Mesothelioma patients may also wish to enroll in a clinical trial, as the clinical trial process tests up-and-coming medications and may provide access to new treatments that could extend life expectancy.
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