Mesothelioma Survivors

Though mesothelioma often has a poor long-term health outlook, it is possible to become a survivor with medical treatment. Some mesothelioma survivors have lived for over 20 years thanks to the treatments they’ve received. The sooner you seek treatment and specialized care, the greater your chance of surviving mesothelioma beyond your prognosis.

Fact-Checked and Medically Reviewed By: Dr. Mark Levin

Can You Survive Mesothelioma?

Most mesothelioma patients only live a few years — or months — after a diagnosis, but a few have gone on to live much longer. Patients who have lived well beyond their prognosis or were diagnosed early are known as mesothelioma survivors.

Mesothelioma survivors have lived for 10, 15, and even 20 years or more, even though mesothelioma has no cure and is very aggressive.

It may be possible for patients with mesothelioma to achieve survival and outlive their life expectancy through innovative treatments like surgery, participating in new clinical research trials, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

There are also new mesothelioma treatments that may increase your odds of survival.

Patients and their loved ones should always follow their doctor’s guidance to understand how they can improve their mesothelioma prognosis and work to achieve long-term survival.

Let Us Help You Survive Mesothelioma

For over 20 years, the Mesothelioma Hope team and our trusted medical associates have helped mesothelioma cancer patients in many ways. We will do everything we can to help you become a survivor.

Our caring and skilled Patient Advocates help in a variety of ways, including:

  • Connecting you with top doctors and cancer centers that match your unique diagnosis
  • Helping you get a second opinion for an accurate diagnosis
  • Locating financial assistance to help pay for medical treatments
  • Providing emotional support for mesothelioma patients and caregivers

Call us now at (866) 608-8933 to speak with a Patient Advocate, or request your Free Mesothelioma Guide for comprehensive information about this cancer and the various resources that can help.

Mesothelioma Guide Images
Get Your Free 2023 Mesothelioma Guide
  • Top treatments & doctors
  • Financial assistance
  • Accessing VA benefits

Get Your Free Guide

Mesothelioma Survivors and Their Stories

We often hear this question: “Are there any mesothelioma survivors?”

While there is no cure for mesothelioma, advancements in treatment and cancer research are helping some patients live longer. The following mesothelioma survivor stories include some who outlived their initial prognosis for a time and those who have continued to survive their disease today.

Peritoneal mesothelioma survivor Julie with her family

Julie’s Story

  • Diagnosis: Peritoneal mesothelioma
  • Year of Diagnosis: 2006
  • Treatment: Surgery and chemotherapy

Julie has been living with mesothelioma since she was 35. She was exposed to asbestos secondhand as a child through her father, who worked as an electrician. One year after her father died from asbestos-related lung cancer, Julie received her own diagnosis: malignant peritoneal mesothelioma. She was given 6-12 months to live.

“My biggest fear was that my daughter would grow up and not remember her mother.”
—Julie, 15+ year mesothelioma survivor

Julie was determined to fight her disease so she could be a part of her daughter’s life. After five intensive surgeries and multiple rounds of chemotherapy, Julie’s cancer is now stable.

As Julie underwent treatment, she found much-needed support from groups that advocate for mesothelioma patients. In turn, she became an advocate herself, speaking at many conferences and meeting with Congress to push for a full asbestos ban.

Peritoneal mesothelioma survivor Ginger with her husband

Ginger’s Story

  • Diagnosis: Peritoneal mesothelioma
  • Year of Diagnosis: 2010
  • Treatment: Surgery and chemotherapy

Ginger’s life was turned upside down when she was diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma at age 40 while her husband was already fighting a brain tumor.

Ginger found strength in her faith and underwent a surgery called cytoreduction with HIPEC to remove the cancer from her abdominal cavity.

More than a decade after being diagnosed, Ginger is still living her life and finding ways to give back to others. She volunteered at the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation and led a prayer group for families of mesothelioma victims, survivors, and caregivers.

Pleural mesothelioma survivor Mike with his wife and daughter

Mike’s Story

  • Diagnosis: Pleural mesothelioma
  • Year of Diagnosis: 2011
  • Treatment: Surgery and chemotherapy

Mike was diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma at just 29 and was told he had less than a year to live. However, through four rounds of chemotherapy and a surgery known as an extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP), Mike was declared cancer-free.

After his treatments, Mike and his wife were able to have a baby girl in 2016. Mike’s daughter motivated him to dedicate his life to advocating for the ban on asbestos and research into finding a cure for mesothelioma.

Despite a period of remission, Mike ultimately lost his brave battle with mesothelioma in April 2020. Today, he is remembered for his legacy of fierce advocacy for mesothelioma victims and his fight to help ban asbestos-containing products.

Pleural mesothelioma survivor Ernie

Ernie’s Story

  • Diagnosis: Pleural mesothelioma
  • Year of Diagnosis: 2002
  • Treatment: Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation

Ernie suffered from pain in his shoulder and rib cage — two common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma — for nearly eight years before his diagnosis. He was exposed to asbestos for most of his life, particularly while working as a mechanic for Ford.

After his mesothelioma diagnosis, Ernie’s doctors treated him using chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. These treatments, combined with Ernie’s resilience, helped him survive mesothelioma for over 7 years.

Ernie maintained a positive attitude throughout his cancer battle that served as an inspiration for others.

Advocate Avatar

We can connect you with treatments that may help you become a mesothelioma survivor.

Chat Now

Available for Chat

Factors That Impact Mesothelioma Survival

Several factors affect if you’ll become a mesothelioma survivor. Certain factors are out of your control, such as your age, gender, what type of mesothelioma you have, and its stage at the time of diagnosis.

However, proactive measures like early detection and healthy lifestyle choices can affect mesothelioma survival.

Patient Health and Age

Older mesothelioma patients generally have lower survival rates (percentage of patients still alive after a diagnosis) than younger patients. More than half of patients diagnosed before age 50 live one year, but less than 30% of patients who are 75 years or older live the same amount of time.

The difference in overall survival between younger and older patients is mainly because younger patients can often withstand more aggressive treatments, like surgery.

Older patients may not be able to undergo major treatments if they’re in poor health, have a weak immune system, or are at higher risk of medical complications.

Mesothelioma Survivors Diet & Nutrition

Maintaining a good diet can also help. By eating nutrient-rich foods under the guidance of your doctors, you may have more energy to fight cancer.

Top hospitals and treatment centers often have dietitians on staff who can help prepare a mesothelioma cancer survivors diet.

Early Detection and Disease Stage

Early detection is important in achieving remission and becoming a mesothelioma survivor. The earlier a patient is diagnosed with mesothelioma, the more treatment options they will have available to them.

Localized cancer is considered stage 1 of the disease and can often be treated with surgery. By the third and fourth stages, the cancer cells will have spread further, and total removal of cancerous masses via surgery may no longer be attainable.

In rare cases, some stage 3 and stage 4 mesothelioma patients have still achieved remission with medical treatment or lived far beyond their prognosis.

Specialized Treatments and Disease Management

Multimodal therapy is when doctors combine surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and other treatments to help patients achieve long-term survival.

Multimodal treatment plans for early-stage patients often include surgery. Late-stage patients may be able to receive chemotherapy, radiation, and other therapies together if they’re in good overall health and are relatively young.

Additionally, new and alternative treatments are currently being tested in clinical trials. Gene therapy, virus therapy, and targeted therapies are prime examples. If these treatments can help patients live longer in a trial, they may be approved for mainstream use.

Finally, pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma survivors might regularly meet with their doctors even after treatments have stopped. This is called disease management. Mesothelioma survivors are encouraged to report any new symptoms or concerns during these follow-up visits.

How to Become a Mesothelioma Survivor

There’s no guaranteed way to become a mesothelioma survivor, but there are some steps you can take to increase your odds.

Get a Second Opinion

Every mesothelioma patient has the right to ask for a second opinion about their diagnosis and treatment options. Getting a second opinion can help a mesothelioma patient feel more confident about the accuracy of their diagnosis and ensure that the planned course of treatment is appropriate.

Getting a second opinion is highly recommended since mesothelioma is often misdiagnosed at first — which may give the cancer more time to worsen and reduce a patient’s odds of long-term survival.

Find a Specialist

Finding the right mesothelioma doctor is one of the most important decisions a patient can make. Top doctors can diagnose mesothelioma and develop personalized treatment plans for each patient. They can also help manage any side effects associated with treatments.

Some specialists, like Dr. Robert Cameron and the late Dr. David Sugarbaker, have pioneered new treatments to help patients live beyond their prognosis and achieve long-term survival.

Mesothelioma specialists can see if a patient is eligible for newer treatments, including ones only available in clinical trials. We can help find a top specialist near you — use our Free Mesothelioma Doctor Match now.

Mesothelioma doctor talking with an older couple
Free Mesothelioma Doctor Match

We'll help you connect with a local mesothelioma specialist for personalized treatment.

Find a Doctor Near You

Seek Emotional Support and Resources

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be devastating, and no one should have to go through it alone. Developing a strong support system is key to maintaining a positive outlook and quality of life. This might include seeing a licensed counselor, attending mesothelioma support groups, or talking to friends and family.

Connecting with other patients or a therapist may help improve mental well-being and ease stress. Patients should look for resources that meet their personal needs and preferences.

Participating in a mesothelioma support group is more than just emotional support. Many support group members may have already pursued treatment and can provide helpful guidance as you walk the same road.

Remission and Mesothelioma Survivors

What sets mesothelioma survivors apart from other patients is that they often achieve remission from mesothelioma. Achieving remission is essential to becoming a mesothelioma survivor.

When cancer is in remission, the tumors either fully disappear or shrink, allowing patients to live with fewer or no symptoms.

There are two types of remission: full and partial.

  • Full remission: This occurs when a patient has no evidence of disease (NED). NED describes the state when all visible traces of cancer are gone from the body. Because the cancer could still come back, doctors often use the terms “NED” and “remission” instead of “cured” when they cannot detect any signs of cancer.
  • Partial remission: This occurs when the mesothelioma tumors have been reduced by 50% or more. Partial remission can allow doctors to treat mesothelioma more easily, even if the cancer isn’t fully gone.

Mesothelioma survival is directly related to the achievement of remission through treatment. Studies across various cancer centers have found an overall median survival rate of about 4.5 years and a maximum rate of 19.5 years for those who achieve remission through treatment.

Our Patient Advocates can help you find the right treatment to help you achieve remission and become a mesothelioma survivor. Call (866) 608-8933 right now.

Mesothelioma Recurrence in Survivors

Unfortunately, there is always a risk that mesothelioma might come back long after treatment, as microscopic cancer cells may remain in the body. When this happens, it’s called a recurrence.

Did You Know?

Some long-term mesothelioma survivors may experience a recurrence after remission. Doctors can’t predict which patients will have a recurrence or when it might occur.

When a patient’s mesothelioma recurs, they experience the same symptoms as before. However, each mesothelioma recurrence may be treated differently. For example, an area that was previously radiated may not tolerate further radiation, so another treatment may be used.

Some treatments for mesothelioma recurrence may include:

  • Chest wall resection surgery to remove part of a tumor without affecting any nearby organs or major structures
  • First-line chemotherapy (if a patient has not previously received chemotherapy)
  • Innovative biological therapies (currently being studied in clinical trials)
  • Second-line chemotherapy using different medications (if patients had chemotherapy before)

Mesothelioma specialists and patients need to regularly stay in contact even when remission occurs. Doing so may allow doctors to catch and treat a recurrence before it spreads very far.

Get Help & Work Toward Mesothelioma Survival

No one ever deserves to develop a life-threatening cancer like mesothelioma. Thankfully — with the supervision of top cancer doctors — you may be able to become a mesothelioma survivor.

Have hope and trust in your care team to help you maintain a high quality of life on your journey to survivorship.

Mesothelioma Hope’s medical team has relationships with skilled doctors, cancer centers, and many mesothelioma survivors. We can connect you with these specialists and proven treatment methods that may help you become a survivor. Get matched with top mesothelioma doctors right now.

Mesothelioma Survivors FAQs

Has anyone survived mesothelioma?

Yes. Many mesothelioma patients have survived the disease and outlived their initial prognosis with the use of traditional and emerging treatments.

Generally speaking, the earlier mesothelioma is detected, the longer a patient can live for.

What is the longest someone has lived with mesothelioma?

Diagnosed in 1997 at age 52, Paul Kraus is currently the longest-living mesothelioma survivor in the world.

Doctors thought Paul would only live for six months, but he has been able to survive for more than 25 years since his mesothelioma diagnosis. He credits much of his success to healthy living and diet.

Does mesothelioma always come back?

Many survivors experience recurrences of their disease because it’s virtually impossible to remove every cancer cell unless caught early.

While mesothelioma recurrence is very common, it might not happen in all patients who achieve remission and become long-term survivors.

Further, patients who do experience a recurrence can still possibly live for long periods. Doctors can recommend treatments to help patients live as long as possible after a recurrence.

Is mesothelioma a death sentence?

No, if caught early or if the patient’s disease is localized. While mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer, it is not an automatic death sentence.

The medical community continues to develop more sophisticated methods to diagnose and treat mesothelioma. As a result, some victims have survived for years without recurrence.

If you or a loved one think you have mesothelioma, it’s important to find a specialist who’s experienced in researching, diagnosing, and treating the disease.

Reviewed by:Dr. Mark Levin

Certified Oncologist and Hematologist

  • Fact-Checked
  • Editor

Mark Levin, MD has over 30 years of experience in academic and community hematology and oncology. In addition to serving as Chief or Director at four different teaching institutions throughout his life, he is also still a practicing clinician, has taught and designed formal education programs, and has authored numerous publications in various fields related to hematology and oncology.

Dr. Mark Levin is an independently paid medical reviewer.

  • Board Certified Oncologist
  • 30+ Years Experience
  • Published Medical Author
Written by:

Lead Editor

Laura Wright is a journalist and content strategist with more than 15 years of professional experience. She attended college at the University of Florida, graduating magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in journalism in 2008. Her writing has been featured in The Gainesville Sun and other regional publications throughout Florida.

10 References
  1. American Cancer Society. (2022, March 2). Survival rates for mesothelioma. Retrieved November 21, 2022, from https://www.cancer.org/cancer/malignant-mesothelioma/detection-diagnosis-staging/survival-statistics.html

  2. American Cancer Society. (2019, May 28). What’s new in malignant mesothelioma research. Retrieved November 21, 2022, from https://www.cancer.org/cancer/malignant-mesothelioma/about/new-research.html

  3. Dawson-Rose, C. et al. (2016). Building trust and relationships between patients and providers: an essential complement to health literacy in HIV care. Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care. Retrieved November 21, 2022, from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1055329016300012

  4. Moffitt Cancer Center. (n.d.). Mesothelioma clinical trials. Retrieved November 21, 2022, from https://moffitt.org/cancers/mesothelioma/treatment/clinical-trials/

  5. Moffitt Cancer Center. (n.d.). Mesothelioma recurrence. Retrieved November 21, 2022, from https://moffitt.org/cancers/mesothelioma/recurrence/

  6. Canadian Cancer Society. (n.d.). Survival statistics for mesothelioma. Retrieved November 21, 2022, from
    http://www.cancer.ca/en/cancer-information/cancer-type/mesothelioma/prognosis-and-survival/survival-statistics/?region=on

  7. Cancer Research UK. (2021, May 28). Mesothelioma survival. Retrieved November 21, 2022, from www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/mesothelioma/survival

  8. Neuwirth, M., Alexander, H. & Karakousis, G. (2016). Then and now: cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), a historical perspective. Journal of Gastrointestinal Oncology. Retrieved November 21, 2022, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4754315/

  9. Rusch, V.W. & Venkatramen, E. (1996). The importance of surgical staging in the treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma. Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, 111, 815-826. Retrieved November 21, 2022, from http://www.jtcvsonline.org/home

  10. Shavelle, R., Vevra-Musser, K., Lee, J. & Brooks, J. (2017, January 23). Life expectancy in pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma. Lung Cancer International. Retrieved November 21, 2022, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5292397/

Speak to a Patient Advocate About Your Options

If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, there is hope. Contact us to learn more about mesothelioma and your treatment options.

  • Latest treatment information
  • Financial assistance for treatment
  • VA benefits help

Submit your information and a Patient Advocate will call you right back!

Complete the Form to Speak to a Patient Advocate