Is Mesothelioma Curable?
There is currently no known cure for mesothelioma, but new treatments are helping many patients live longer and with a better quality of life. In fact, many people with mesothelioma are living for years, even decades, after their diagnosis thanks to personalized treatment plans and new medical breakthroughs.
“Patients can get the wrong idea that there’s nothing that we can do or that life will be miserable. We certainly try to make sure that’s not the case. We have many patients living long and very happy lives doing all the things that they want to do.”
Doctors focus on managing mesothelioma through a combination of therapies designed to control the cancer, relieve pain or discomfort, and help patients reach remission (a period when signs and symptoms of cancer disappear or lessen). This can mean months or even years with little to no evidence of cancer, which is something doctors often refer to as a “functional cure.”
If you or a loved one has recently been diagnosed, talk with a specialist about your treatment options. Our Free Doctor Match service connects you directly with top mesothelioma doctors who can create a personalized care plan.
Breakthroughs Bringing Us Closer to a Mesothelioma Cure
Mesothelioma treatment has changed dramatically over the past two decades. Today, many patients are living well beyond what doctors once thought possible. New treatments have raised median survival times to around 18 months or more for many patients, and that number keeps improving.
Recent research highlights just how much progress has been made. A 2025 Johns Hopkins study found that using immunotherapy before and after mesothelioma surgery could safely and effectively help the immune system recognize and destroy cancer cells. This approach could represent a key step toward long-term remission or even a cure.
Other examples of promising mesothelioma research include:
- Cancer vaccines that teach the immune system to recognize and attack mesothelioma cells
- CAR T-cell therapy, which modifies immune cells to better fight cancer
- Immunotherapy combinations that improve the odds of long-term remission
- Targeted therapy drugs that block specific proteins cancer cells rely on to grow
Each new discovery builds on the last, and together, these breakthroughs bring us closer to transforming mesothelioma from a deadly disease into a manageable condition.
Patients Still Living a Full Life With Mesothelioma
Hearing that mesothelioma has no cure can be difficult, but stories from survivors show that hope is more powerful than fear. Many patients are living meaningful lives for years after diagnosis, proving that mesothelioma doesn’t have to define your future.
- Julie Gundlach was diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma almost two decades ago. Her cancer has been stable for over a decade, and she continues to advocate for other mesothelioma patients while running her pottery business.
- Arthur “Art” Putt, a 7+ year mesothelioma survivor, refuses to let cancer slow him down. After a lifetime working as an auto mechanic, Art was diagnosed in 2018 and given just months to live — but with the support of his wife, Jan, he pursued treatment to help him fight back.
- Jessica Blackford Cleeton was just 32 when her life was turned upside down by a mesothelioma diagnosis after months of misdiagnosed symptoms. Determined to fight for her future, Jessica sought specialized treatment that allowed her to preserve her dream of becoming a mother.
These stories prove that life after diagnosis can still be full of purpose, love, and hope. As mesothelioma caregiver Connie Bonnin says, “Every day, we make it another day closer to a cure — and that’s how we have to look at it.”
Get your Free Survivors Guide to learn from real patients who beat the odds, discover tips for managing treatment, and explore how others found joy and balance while living with mesothelioma.
Treatments Helping Patients Live Longer Than Ever
A cure means the cancer is completely gone and will not return. While there isn’t a known cure for mesothelioma, there are ever-improving treatments, which focus on controlling the disease, shrinking tumors, and reducing symptoms.
Key mesothelioma treatments include:
- Immunotherapy: This is a newer type of treatment that strengthens the immune system to better identify and attack cancer cells. According to medical oncologist Dr. Laura Alder, “Immunotherapy additions have improved the mesothelioma cure rate and reduced the chance that the cancer comes back.”
- Multimodal therapy: This approach combines two or more treatments — such as surgery, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy — to get the best possible results. Working together, these treatments can slow the cancer’s growth and help patients live longer, healthier lives.
- Surgery: Doctors may recommend surgery to remove as much of the cancer as possible. Procedures like pleurectomy/decortication (P/D) or cytoreduction with heated chemotherapy (HIPEC) can extend patient survival.
Some mesothelioma patients experience long periods of stable disease with the help of medical treatment and lifestyle choices.
One example is Paul Kraus, the world’s longest-living mesothelioma survivor. Diagnosed in 1997 and told he had less than 6 months, he lived more than 27 years. His cancer was never cured, but it stayed stable for long stretches.
Paul credited his extended survival to a mix of medical care, plant-based nutrition, daily exercise, meditation, and a positive mindset. There’s no proven cure for mesothelioma, but Paul’s experience shows that long-term survival is possible.
“Yes, people die from mesothelioma. But a lot of people go on living for years with it. My hope is to turn this into a chronic disease rather than a death sentence.”
Learn Which Treatments Could Work for Your Diagnosis
Every mesothelioma case is unique, and so are the treatment options. The best cancer care plan depends on your diagnosis, overall health, and personal goals. Our nurses and Patient Advocates can help you understand your options and answer your questions.
Mesothelioma Hope is standing by to:
- Review your diagnosis and explain available treatments
- Connect you with top cancer centers that specialize in mesothelioma
- Help you explore financial and legal resources to cover the cost of care
- Offer emotional support and guidance for you and your loved ones at every step
You don’t have to face mesothelioma alone. Find a mesothelioma doctor near you or call us at (866) 608-8933 to get started today.
Cure for Mesothelioma FAQs
Is there a cure for mesothelioma?
Right now, there isn’t an official cure for mesothelioma, but doctors have made huge progress in helping patients live longer and feel better.
Some mesothelioma patients go into remission, which means the cancer becomes inactive or nearly undetectable for long periods. New treatments like immunotherapy and targeted drugs are helping more mesothelioma patients reach remission every year.
Can removing a lung cure mesothelioma?
Surgery to remove a lung, called an extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP), can take out a large portion of the cancer, but it cannot cure mesothelioma.
Still, for some patients, this surgery can add years to their lives and help reduce chest pain. Surgery often delivers the best results when it’s paired with other treatments like chemotherapy or immunotherapy.
Will a lung transplant cure mesothelioma?
A lung transplant cannot cure mesothelioma because this cancer usually spreads along the thin lining around the lungs and other organs. Even with a new lung, it’s impossible for doctors to eliminate every cancer cell with surgery alone.
Instead of lung transplants, doctors now focus on safer treatments like targeted therapies and less invasive surgeries that can help control the cancer and improve quality of life.
Can mesothelioma go away?
Mesothelioma can go into remission in rare cases. Some patients experience remission when treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiation therapy remove or destroy most of the cancer cells.
In cases of complete remission, doctors may not see any visible signs of mesothelioma on CT scans or other imaging tests for months or even years. Many survivors remain in remission for a long time and can return to daily activities, travel, or spend quality time with loved ones.
Want to learn which treatments might help you or a loved one reach remission? Contact our team today to speak with a Patient Advocate.
Why can't they cure mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is hard to cure because it spreads through very thin layers of tissue that cover the lungs, abdomen, heart, or testicles. These linings are delicate and wrap closely around vital organs, making it nearly impossible for surgeons to remove every cancer cell. Even a few cells left behind can grow again later.
The good news is that cancer researchers understand this disease much better today than they did even a decade ago. Advances in immunotherapy, targeted drugs, and genetic research are helping doctors control mesothelioma more effectively and may one day lead to a real cure.
Mesothelioma clinical trials across the country are also testing new ways to stop the cancer from coming back or spreading further.
Can chemo cure mesothelioma?
Chemotherapy on its own usually cannot cure mesothelioma, but it remains one of the most important treatments available. The drugs circulate through the bloodstream to attack cancer cells that surgery cannot reach.
Mesothelioma chemotherapy can shrink tumors, slow the disease’s growth, relieve pain or breathing problems, and improve quality of life. Many people receive chemotherapy together with surgery or immunotherapy, which can extend life expectancy and keep the cancer under control for much longer.
Has anyone ever been cured of mesothelioma?
There is no officially recognized cure for mesothelioma, but there are people who have lived far longer than doctors once thought possible.
The late Paul Kraus is one well-known example. He lived with peritoneal mesothelioma for more than 27 years by combining medical care with a healthy lifestyle focused on nutrition, stress management, and a positive outlook. Other survivors have achieved long-term remission thanks to combinations of different treatments, like surgery and chemotherapy.
Is there a way to cure mesothelioma naturally?
There is no proven natural cure for mesothelioma cancer, but holistic and alternative treatments can often support your health alongside medical care. Options such as acupuncture, massage therapy, yoga, and meditation may help reduce pain, stress, and fatigue.
Eating a balanced mesothelioma diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains can strengthen your immune system and help your body heal. Getting enough rest can also improve energy and emotional well-being during treatment.
Always talk with your care team before trying any alternative therapy to make sure it’s safe and works well with your treatment plan.
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