Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer caused by asbestos exposure. Even though it’s a terminal disease, it’s not always fatal.
Although there’s still no cure for mesothelioma, advances in immunotherapy, surgery, and supportive care are helping some people live longer than doctors once thought possible. A growing number of survivors have exceeded expectations by years — and sometimes decades.
Mesothelioma continues to affect thousands of Americans each year, often because of asbestos exposure that occurred decades ago. At the same time, researchers and specialists are finding new ways to improve outcomes and quality of life.
If you or someone you love has recently been diagnosed, it’s important to know that more resources and therapies are available today than ever before.
Treatment Options to Improve Chances of Survival
If you were diagnosed with mesothelioma 10 or 15 years ago, your treatment options would have looked very different from those today.
Doctors now treat mesothelioma with surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy, or a combination of these approaches through what’s called multimodal treatment. Rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all plan, specialists consider factors like cancer stage, overall health, and treatment goals when recommending care.
One of the most important developments has been in immunotherapy. Five-year follow-up results from the CheckMate 743 clinical trial showed that patients who received nivolumab (Opdivo®) and ipilimumab (Yervoy®) were more than twice as likely to be alive after 5 years as those treated with chemotherapy alone (14% versus 6%).
No study can predict how an individual will respond to immunotherapy. Still, findings like these are giving families more reason to ask what’s possible rather than focusing solely on survival statistics.
“I have a gentleman in my clinic right now with advanced mesothelioma who’s had a beautiful response to immunotherapy. He may be one of those patients who goes on to have excellent long-term disease control.”
Want to learn more about emerging therapies and hear directly from long-term survivors? Get your Free Mesothelioma Survivors Guide today.
Has Anyone Ever Recovered From Mesothelioma?
There’s currently no cure for mesothelioma. Even so, many survivors have lived far beyond the timeline they were originally given.
- Ellen Patton: Diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma at age 41, Ellen was told she likely had 12 to 18 months to live. After undergoing experimental immunotherapy, she has now survived for over 25 years, making her the longest-living known mesothelioma survivor today.
- Julie Gundlach: Julie was diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma at age 35 after secondhand asbestos exposure. More than 20 years later, she continues to advocate for mesothelioma awareness and encourage others to seek specialized care.
- Alexis Kidd: Alexis has survived peritoneal mesothelioma for more than 18 years and regularly shares her story to support other patients and families.
- John Stahl: Diagnosed with stage 4 pleural mesothelioma in 2019, John continues to enjoy an active lifestyle and encourages others to keep exploring their treatment options.
These stories show that some people live much longer than expected and that prognosis estimates aren’t always the final word.
“It’s important for me to share my story so people know there is hope. Even when a doctor says, ‘You’ve got a year’ or ‘You’ve got a year and a half,’ there’s still hope — and I’m an example of that.”
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.”
What Can Influence Mesothelioma Survival?
Every mesothelioma case is different. While doctors can estimate a prognosis, several factors can affect how the disease responds to treatment and what options may be available.
Some of the biggest factors include:
- Access to specialized care: Doctors who treat mesothelioma regularly may be able to offer more treatment options, including clinical trials.
- Cancer stage: Finding mesothelioma before it has spread can make treatment more effective and may give you more options.
- Cell type: The most common type, epithelioid mesothelioma, often responds better to treatment than sarcomatoid mesothelioma. Biphasic mesothelioma is a combination of both.
- Where the cancer starts: Mesothelioma can develop in different parts of the body, most often around the lungs or abdomen. The location affects how it’s treated and can influence survival.
- Your overall health: Your age, general health, and any other medical conditions can affect which treatments are right for you.
No single factor determines how long someone will live with mesothelioma. It’s the combination of these factors — and how the cancer responds over time — that shapes each patient’s experience.
How Compensation Can Help You Focus on Treatment
The costs of mesothelioma treatment can add up quickly, creating a heavy financial burden for you and your family.
Filing a mesothelioma lawsuit with the help of an experienced attorney can help secure the compensation you need to fund your medical 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.
“Filing a lawsuit has been worth it for us because it’s now allowing us to put everything we can into his care. It’s relieved a burden for us that would’ve been insurmountable on our own.”
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.
If you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma, help is available. Get a Free Case Review today to learn whether you qualify for financial compensation.
Get a Free Mesothelioma Case Review
Take the First Step Toward Hope
One of the hardest parts of a mesothelioma diagnosis is figuring out what comes next.
Whether you’re researching doctors, comparing treatments, seeking financial assistance, or looking for emotional support, you don’t have to navigate it alone.
Our Patient Advocates can help you:
- Find mesothelioma specialists and cancer centers
- Learn about treatments and clinical trials
- Connect with support groups and survivors
- Explore compensation to pay for medical care
“Getting diagnosed with a rare cancer is life-changing. I want patients to know that they can take control of their journey with mesothelioma.”
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, we’re here to answer questions and help you move forward with confidence. Call (866) 608-8933 or fill out our contact form to get started.
