Can Mesothelioma Go Into Remission?
Yes, it’s possible for mesothelioma to go into remission. This happens when tumors shrink by at least 50% or when no visible signs of cancer remain, a state known as no evidence of disease (NED).
Some mesothelioma patients have achieved NED status for 20 years or longer.
The odds of achieving mesothelioma remission are higher if the cancer is caught before it can spread to other areas of the body. In early-stage mesothelioma, it’s easier to remove or shrink tumors with surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation.
Get our Free Mesothelioma Guide to learn about treatments that can help you or a loved one achieve remission.
What Is Mesothelioma Remission?
Remission refers to a period when the signs and symptoms of mesothelioma get better or disappear.
There are two types of mesothelioma remission:
- Partial remission occurs when the cancer shrinks but doesn’t completely go away. In partial remission, tumors decrease in size by at least half. Some mesothelioma symptoms may improve as well.
- Complete remission happens when all signs of mesothelioma are gone and tests show no evidence of disease. However, this does not necessarily mean the cancer is cured — it can still be present in the body at undetectable levels.
Stable disease occurs when the cancer isn’t growing or spreading, but it also hasn’t shrunk. In this case, the disease is under control, and symptoms may stay the same without getting worse.
What Does Mesothelioma Recurrence Mean?
Mesothelioma recurrence is when signs of cancer return after a period of remission. This can happen because cancer cells that were undetectable during remission begin to grow again.
There are three types of mesothelioma recurrence:
- Local recurrence is when the cancer returns to the exact location where it originally developed.
- Regional recurrence happens when the cancer reappears in nearby organs or tissues.
- Distant recurrence is when the cancer develops in a completely different part of the body, such as the lungs, liver, or lymph nodes.
If you’re in remission, it’s important to attend regular follow-up appointments and watch for any symptoms of mesothelioma recurrence. This will help ensure your doctor can treat any cancer recurrence early — giving you a better shot at beating it again.
“You have options — even if you feel like you don’t. While there may be limited FDA-approved treatment options for mesothelioma recurrence, now would be the time to seek out a clinical trial and schedule consultations with top mesothelioma researchers.”
Treatments to Promote Mesothelioma Remission
Mesothelioma surgery is the most effective way to remove mesothelioma tumors and improve the chances of remission.
Patients diagnosed with are more likely to qualify for curative (life-extending) surgeries that could lead to remission.
The three types of curative surgeries for mesothelioma include:
- Cytoreduction with HIPEC, where the cancerous lining of the abdomen is removed and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy is then applied to kill any remaining cancer cells
- Extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP), where a surgeon removes all visible tumors by extracting the cancerous lung and any nearby tissue
- Pleurectomy with decortication (P/D), which removes the cancerous lung lining and any mesothelioma tumors on the surface of the lung
While surgery alone can help some patients achieve remission, most specialists recommend combining it with chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or radiation in what’s known as multimodal therapy.
Use our Free Doctor Match to connect with mesothelioma specialists who’ve helped patients like you improve their prognosis and achieve remission.
Treatment Options After Mesothelioma Recurrence
When mesothelioma cancer returns, doctors may recommend different treatment options than those used the first time. Your treatment plan may include one or more of the following therapies.
Chemotherapy
Mesothelioma chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells. For patients with recurrent mesothelioma who haven’t had chemotherapy, it may be recommended as a second-line (follow-up) treatment.
Doctors often use a combination of drugs like pemetrexed (Alimta®) with either cisplatin or carboplatin.
If you’ve already received chemotherapy, your doctor may try changing the drug combination to help slow the cancer and manage symptoms.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy has emerged as a promising approach for treating mesothelioma recurrence. It works by enhancing the immune system’s ability to identify and attack mesothelioma cells.
Mesothelioma specialists may recommend the immunotherapy drugs nivolumab (Opdivo®) and ipilimumab (Yervoy®) for patients whose cancer has returned after initial treatment.
Targeted Therapy
Targeted therapies work by blocking specific molecules that help cancer grow and spread.
One example is bevacizumab (Avastin®), which stops tumors from making new blood vessels, cutting off their supply of nutrients.
Radiation Therapy
As part of a mesothelioma recurrence treatment plan, radiation therapy is used to shrink tumors and reduce pressure within the chest or abdomen.
This can help slow the spread of cancer and improve quality of life for patients facing recurrence.
Clinical Trials
Cancer centers nationwide are conducting clinical trials to treat patients fighting mesothelioma recurrence.
Two of these trials include:
- CTX131 for Relapsed Mesothelioma: Doctors are currently testing an investigational CAR T-cell therapy called CTX131™ in patients with recurrent or treatment-resistant pleural mesothelioma.
- Donor Immune Cells + Chemotherapy: Researchers are using boosted immune cells taken from donated cord blood and combining them with two chemotherapy drugs, cyclophosphamide and etoposide. The goal is to see if this combination can better manage mesothelioma recurrence.
Our oncology nurse navigator Liz Logan can help you or a loved one find the right clinical trial and start the enrollment process. Call (866) 608-8933 or reach out to us online to get started.
How to Improve Your Chances of Mesothelioma Remission
Acting quickly after a mesothelioma diagnosis can help your body fight cancer and work toward remission. Find out what steps to take below.
See a Specialist
Because this cancer is so rare, it’s important to see a specialist who has experience diagnosing and treating patients with mesothelioma.
Getting cancer treatment from a mesothelioma specialist can improve your life expectancy and give you a better chance of achieving remission.
“I can’t stress it enough — seeing a surgeon and a medical oncologist who can manage this disease is so important. We can offer things that maybe somebody in the community can’t.”
Explore Emerging Therapies
New and emerging treatments can help reduce the size of mesothelioma tumors, manage symptoms, and possibly send your cancer into remission.
A study conducted by MD Anderson Cancer Center found that 40% of peritoneal mesothelioma patients achieved partial or complete remission after being treated with the two targeted therapy drugs atezolizumab (Tecentriq®) and bevacizumab (Avastin®).
Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle
A healthy and balanced lifestyle can improve your chances of mesothelioma remission.
Here are three tips to improve your well-being:
- Stop smoking: Quitting smoking supports your body’s ability to heal and fight mesothelioma.
- Get proper nutrients: Proper diet and nutrition can strengthen your immune system, boost your energy levels, and improve your overall well-being.
- Incorporate exercise: Gentle physical activity like walking or yoga can ease some of the side effects of mesothelioma treatment, help you sleep better, and lower your stress levels.
Survivors in Mesothelioma Remission
Many mesothelioma survivors have achieved long-term remission and far outlived their life expectancies.
Julie, 19+ year survivor
Julie has been in stable disease since 2014, allowing her to concentrate on her life rather than her illness.
John, 13+ year survivor
EPP surgery helped John achieve long-term mesothelioma remission for nearly 7 years. He had a recurrence in 2019 but is still alive today.
Mary Jane, 15-year survivor
Mary Jane was cancer-free for 14 years after chemotherapy and cytoreductive surgery. She passed away from Alzheimer’s complications in 2018.
With advancements in treatment and ongoing clinical trials, more patients may have the chance to achieve mesothelioma remission.
Get our Free Survivors Guide to hear from 7 patients who beat the odds and are still thriving 15+ years after their mesothelioma diagnosis.
Get Help Achieving Mesothelioma Remission
While mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer, there are steps you can take to improve your life expectancy and potentially achieve remission. Mesothelioma Hope is here to support you through it.
Our team of Patient Advocates can:
- Connect you with top mesothelioma specialists
- Help you find the right clinical trial
- Provide information on the latest treatment options
- Share support resources with you and your family
Call us at (866) 608-8933 or get our Free Mesothelioma Guide for personalized guidance and support.
Mesothelioma Remission and Recurrence FAQs
Does mesothelioma go into remission?
Yes, mesothelioma can go into remission. Remission means that the signs and symptoms of cancer improve or disappear.
Achieving mesothelioma remission often involves a combination of treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiation therapy.
Various factors can impact your ability to achieve remission, including the stage of mesothelioma, your overall health, and how your cancer responds to treatment.
What happens when mesothelioma comes back?
When mesothelioma cancer comes back, it is known as a recurrence.
Mesothelioma recurrence can happen at the original tumor site (local recurrence), nearby tissues (regional recurrence), or distant parts of the body (distant recurrence).
If your mesothelioma comes back, it may be possible to enter remission again with treatment from a specialist.
Has anyone ever recovered from mesothelioma?
Yes. Some patients have responded exceptionally well to treatment, leading to extended periods of mesothelioma remission and an improved quality of life.
Support from loved ones and a positive mindset also play crucial roles in the recovery process. While mesothelioma is a serious illness, ongoing research and new treatment options continue to offer hope for complete recovery.
What can I expect from mesothelioma remission?
If your mesothelioma goes into remission, it means that the cancer has either reduced or disappeared. Chest pain, shortness of breath, and other symptoms of mesothelioma may improve or go away completely.
During remission, it’s important to maintain a healthy lifestyle and avoid known risk factors such as smoking.
Your emotional well-being is also crucial — staying connected with family, friends, and support groups can provide hope and a sense of community.
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