Mesothelioma Cancer Prognosis Guide

Most mesothelioma patients have just 12 to 21 months to live after a diagnosis. This is an aggressive cancer that spreads rapidly. Prognosis varies by individual and depends on factors like overall health, age, cancer stage and type, and treatment choices.

If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, you may be entitled to substantial compensation. Fill out our form to receive our free Financial Compensation Packet. Our packet is loaded with information on qualified mesothelioma attorneys in your area, how to file a claim for asbestos trust funds, how to get paid in 90 days, and more. 

Diagnosing Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a cancer that results from mostly long-term exposure to asbestos fibers. Because of the rarity of this type of cancer, it’s difficult for healthcare providers to give an early diagnosis. This means most patients have an unfavorable prognosis.

As with all types of cancer, each individual case is unique, and several different factors determine a patient’s prognosis.

Early detection is one of the most important factors in improving prognosis. The type of mesothelioma and where it is found in the patient’s body also affects the prognosis.

Generally, the earlier a diagnosis is made the better the chances are for a mesothelioma patient to get effective treatment and to live longer.

Type of Mesothelioma and Prognosis

The most commonly diagnosed mesothelioma is the type known as pleural mesothelioma. This type of mesothelioma affects the pleura, the lining of the lungs, and the internal chest wall. It can spread past the chest wall and into other organs, such as the abdomen and heart.

The other major type of mesothelioma is called peritoneal mesothelioma; it affects the lining of the abdominal cavity (peritoneum) and can damage major organs there.

Other areas that are susceptible to mesothelioma are the pericardium, the sac that surrounds the heart, and the tunica vaginalis, which surrounds the testes.

Pericardial mesothelioma, although rare, causes a substantial amount of damage to the pericardial lining of the heart. Today, pericardial mesothelioma represents only 10% of the total mesothelioma cases.

With treatment, peritoneal mesothelioma usually has the best prognosis.

Mesothelioma Cell Types

Three cell types are associated with mesothelioma cancer:

• The most common is the epithelial mesothelioma; it occurs between 50 and 60% of all diagnosis and it is the most responsive to medical treatment. Epithelial mesothelioma has a better prognosis than the other types.
• The second most common cell type is biphasic mesothelioma; this cell type combines genetic characteristics of epithelial and sarcomatoid cells and occurs in 30 to 40% of mesothelioma cases.
• The rarest cell type, sarcomatoid, looks like fibers and appears only in about 10-20% of all cases. Sarcomatoid is the most aggressive cell type and has the worst prognosis.

The Main Factors for Determining Mesothelioma Prognosis

Several determining factors play a part in a patient’s prognosis, including the following:

1. How Soon Mesothelioma is Detected

A positive prognosis, a physician’s estimate on how long and how well a patient will live with mesothelioma, depends on how soon this type of cancer is detected.

If caught early enough, some patients can live for several years depending on the cancer’s stage and where it is located. Again, patients with pleural mesothelioma usually stand a better chance of living longer because of the cancer’s easier-to-treat location.

2. Symptoms

Mesothelioma lies dormant for long periods of time and eludes quick diagnosis. Symptoms of mesothelioma can take up to 50 years to surface. It’s also hard to detect because the process of finding its presence is a matter of finding out what disease it’s not rather than what it is.

Mesothelioma symptoms can often be confused for less serious health issues, especially respiratory illnesses such as the common cold, pneumonia, or influenza. Many victims will contract pneumonia which even further confuses a proper diagnosis.

When a doctor realizes that a patient has developed asbestos cancer, it is usually already in Stage 3 of development due to its long latency period. This means that even if a patient asks about his or her prognosis, doctors can only give educated guesses, not definitive answers.

3. Patient Health

Generally, a 30-year-old patient who doesn’t smoke, exercises regularly, and is in good physical and emotional health has better longevity.

However, keep in mind that mesothelioma has intrinsic issues that defy easy diagnosis. As previously mentioned, its symptoms can be confused for common respiratory ailments.

Furthermore, mesothelioma is still rare even though more cases are diagnosed each year, and its characteristics are incredibly variable. Some patients might look as if they have been given a death sentence and then rally due to successful treatment.

Others might look extremely healthy during one visit to their doctor or a specialist, only to succumb within a short period to a fast metastasis of the cancer when it spreads from its original location to other parts of the body.

Talk to your oncologist about the prognosis if you received a mesothelioma diagnosis. This is an aggressive cancer, but there is always hope and a way to improve your life expectancy.

Getting Help

Remember to fill out our form to get your free Financial Compensation Packet, with information on knowledgeable asbestos and mesothelioma lawyers in your area. Keep in mind that if you have mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, you may be eligible for considerable compensation. For additional assistance, contact us at 800-793-4540.