Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer caused by asbestos exposure. Even though it’s a terminal disease, it’s not always fatal. Some patients have survived for decades with treatment from a specialist.
As researchers continue to look for a cure for mesothelioma, new and more effective treatments are being discovered every year that have positive impacts on prognosis, survival rates, and life expectancy.
Learn more about how you can improve your prognosis and join other survivors of this cancer.
Understanding the Prognosis for Mesothelioma
The prognosis for mesothelioma describes the expected health outcome for patients. Survival rate and life expectancy are two estimates that doctors use to explain a patient’s prognosis.
The overall 5-year mesothelioma survival rate is 12%, meaning 12% of patients are still alive 5 years after their diagnosis.
The average life expectancy for mesothelioma is 12-21 months.
It’s important to note that mesothelioma survival rates are merely estimates based on past cases. Each person is unique, and your experience may be very different from those of previous patients.

“One misconception is that mesothelioma is a death sentence. It’s not. Yes, a lot of patients do die from it, but you’re not guaranteed to die if you have mesothelioma.”
Mesothelioma doesn’t have to be the end of your story. Learn more about surviving mesothelioma in our Free Survivors Guide.
What Factors Influence the Severity of Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma prognosis can vary greatly depending on multiple factors, including:
- Type of mesothelioma: Some types of mesothelioma, like peritoneal mesothelioma, respond to treatment better than others, giving patients a more positive prognosis.
- Stage of the cancer: Mesothelioma is usually not diagnosed until it’s in a more advanced stage when the cancer is harder to treat with surgery.
It can take 10-50 years before mesothelioma symptoms become noticeable. This means it’s less common to catch the cancer in the early stages when treatment is more effective.

“Originally, the doctor said he would have possibly 6 months to 1 year, and that was 7 years ago. I still got him.”
Treatment Options to Improve Chances of Survival
The best way to improve your chances of survival is to get treatment from a mesothelioma doctor. These specialists have years of experience treating mesothelioma and are committed to helping patients become long-term survivors.
Read more about common treatments for mesothelioma below.
- Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells throughout the body.
- Immunotherapy boosts the immune system to better target and attack cancer cells.
- Radiation therapy targets and destroys cancer cells with high-energy rays.
- Surgery aims to remove all visible tumors and affected tissues.
Some of the best results are seen when specialists combine multiple types of treatment in what’s known as multimodal therapy.
For example, a 2022 study published in Clinical Lung Cancer found that mesothelioma patients who received chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and surgery lived longer than those who received only surgery or chemotherapy.
In addition, new treatment approaches are being studied in mesothelioma clinical trials every year, bringing new and innovative therapies to patients while searching for a cure.
Has Anyone Ever Recovered From Mesothelioma?
There is no cure for mesothelioma yet, but even with a poor prognosis, some survivors have beaten the odds and are still thriving a decade or more after their diagnosis.
Here are a few of their stories:
- John Stahl was diagnosed with stage 4 pleural mesothelioma in 2019. He is now a 6+ year survivor and has returned to an active lifestyle.
- Julie Gundlach was diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma at the age of 35 after secondhand asbestos exposure. She has survived for 19+ years, and her cancer is no longer progressing.
- Alexis Kidd is an 18+ year survivor of peritoneal mesothelioma. She continues to enjoy life with her husband and rescue cats.

“I’m doing very well, as a matter of fact. I play golf twice a week. I ride the side-by-side. I go hang out with my friends when they’re around. Yeah, I’m pretty well back to normal.”
Pursue Compensation While You Still Can
The costs of mesothelioma treatment can add up quickly, creating a heavy financial burden for you and your family.
Filing a legal claim with the help of an experienced lawyer can help secure the compensation you need to fund your care, but it’s important to take action sooner rather than later.
Right now may be the best time to get legal help. As your treatment progresses, mesothelioma will demand more and more of your energy each day.

“Because of your health, you might reach a point where you won’t be able to do anything with an attorney. You need to contact them as soon as possible.”
Mesothelioma lawsuits are a way to seek compensation from the companies that manufactured the asbestos-based products that made you sick. These companies are responsible for your asbestos exposure, and you deserve to get justice for the harm they caused.
Since treatment affects everyone differently, it’s best to handle any important tasks — now while you still have the energy.
If you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma, help is available. Get a Free Case Review today to learn whether you qualify for financial compensation.
Take the First Step Toward Hope
As medical research continues to progress, new developments in mesothelioma are providing hope to patients and their families.
Researchers are working tirelessly to understand the disease better, identify new treatment options, and improve overall outcomes for mesothelioma patients.
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you can read more stories of hope and long-term survival in our Free Mesothelioma Survivors Guide. You can also connect with us directly at (866) 608-8933 to find out if you qualify for compensation.

“Getting diagnosed with a rare cancer is life-changing. I want patients to know that they can take control of their journey with mesothelioma.”