Life Expectancy Factors
As part of your prognosis, doctors will provide an estimated life expectancy. While there are average life expectancies for mesothelioma patients, these numbers depend on both how far the disease has progressed and individual factors.
Life expectancy factors include:
- Overall health status
- Mesothelioma location
- Mesothelioma cell types
- Mesothelioma stage
- Treatment options
- Demographics, such as gender and age
Pleural Mesothelioma
Average life expectancies for pleural mesothelioma patients are improving year by year. Today, the average life expectancy of pleural mesothelioma patients is between 12 and 21 months.
Pleural mesothelioma life expectancies by stage at diagnosis include:
The life expectancy for pleural mesothelioma patients also depends on the cell type.
Life expectancies for each pleural mesothelioma cell type include:
- Epithelioid cell type: 19 months
- Sarcomatoid cell type: 8 months
- Biphasic cell type: 13 months
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Peritoneal mesothelioma has the best life expectancy of the three different mesothelioma locations due to its high surgical success rate.
The average life expectancy of peritoneal mesothelioma patients is 12 months.
Studies have shown that without treatment, peritoneal mesothelioma patients may only have a 6-month survival rate. However, many patients who undergo successful surgeries can be expected to survive 5 years or longer. This shows the importance of treatment in improving peritoneal mesothelioma life expectancy.
Pericardial Mesothelioma
Pericardial is the rarest form of mesothelioma. Little is known about its progression. Currently, pericardial mesothelioma patients have a life expectancy of 6 months after diagnosis with treatment.
Improving Life Expectancy
There are options to improve your life expectancy after you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. Patients today can undergo emerging treatments, obtain specialized health care and make lifestyle changes that help them live longer and healthier lives.
It is important to ask your health care team about ways to extend your life expectancy while increasing your quality of life.
Three ways to improve your life expectancy and quality of life after a mesothelioma diagnosis include:
Clinical Trials
Advancing knowledge about mesothelioma has brought about emerging treatments. These new mesothelioma treatments are being tested and improved through clinical trials. As a mesothelioma patient, you can take advantage of immunotherapy and genetic therapies with clinical trials in safe, controlled settings.
Specialized Health Care
Mesothelioma is a complex disease that requires specialized knowledge to accurately diagnose and treat. Seeing a specialist or getting the second opinion of a doctor experienced in mesothelioma diagnoses is vital to improving your life expectancy.
Talk to your health care team about how to see a mesothelioma specialist for your treatment plan.
Personal Health and Lifestyle
Taking care of your personal health not only improves your current quality of life but can extend your life expectancy as well. While mesothelioma can be aggravated by poor health, it can be slowed down with proper lifestyle changes.
A healthy diet and exercise improve your overall health. This equips you to better combat the disease, undergo treatments and recover from surgery and treatment side effects.
Physical therapy and emotional support groups also help prepare and heal patients in their fight against mesothelioma.
Talk to your doctor about the emerging treatments, specialist care and lifestyle habits you can pursue to extend your life expectancy.
