Prognosis

What Is the Average Prognosis for Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is fast progressing cancer. The prognosis for those diagnosed with mesothelioma depends on several factors: the stage of the cancer at diagnosis, the location of the cancer, and the type of cell involved in the cancer.

Mesothelioma stages are diagnosed into stage 1, stage 2, stage 3, or stage 4. Stage 1 and stage 2 mesothelioma has the best prognosis, unfortunately many of the symptoms of mesothelioma typically do not appear until stage 3 or stage 4. These symptoms can also be misdiagnosed as they mimic symptoms of other lung diseases, and as such can delay proper diagnosis and the beginning of treatment.

Treatment options include: surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and vaccine therapy. The prognosis for stage 1 and 2 can be measured in years, but the prognosis for stage 4 typically is several months. Late stage mesothelioma has a reduced prognosis due to limited options, many potential treatment for cancers such as operability of the tumor are typically limited to early stage cancers. Stage 3 and Stage 4 mesothelioma patients frequently have medical care focused on “palliative treatment”, or treatment designed not to cure but to improve quality of life by reducing pain, symptoms, and stress.

Overall, the 1 year survival rate for mesothelioma is 40%, and the 5 year survival rate is 10%. While low, these figures are an improvement compared to the past, and the effectiveness of treatment and therefore prognosis increases significantly if mesothelioma can be diagnosed prior to stage 3 or stage 4.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, contact an attorney at Levin Simes today. You can contact us by completing the free consultation form on this page, or call us at (415) 426-3000.