Mesothelioma: What Is the Average Life Expectancy?

Following a mesothelioma diagnosis, a lot of questions are probably running through your head. Perhaps the most pertinent is: What is the average life expectancy for mesothelioma patients?

Mesothelioma Life Expectancy: An Overview

Mesothelioma patients who undergo treatment have an average life expectancy between 12 and 22 months. Approximately 2 in 5 patients will live one year, and less than 1 in 10 patients will live for five years.

Factors That Affect Mesothelioma Life Expectancy

While the average life expectancy is relatively short, numerous factors affect how long you might live after being diagnosed with the disease. These factors include:

• Stage of Cancer: The single greatest predictor of life expectancy is the stage of your mesothelioma cancer. The further it has progressed, the shorter your life expectancy. According to the Journal of Thoracic Oncology, the life expectancy by stage of malignant mesothelioma cancer is as follows:

• Stage 1: 22 months
• Stage 2: 20 months
• Stage 3: 18 months
• Stage 4: 15 months

• Type of Cancer: Approximately 2 in 5 people diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma survive one year after diagnosis, roughly 25 percent of people with peritoneal mesothelioma live three years after diagnosis, pericardial mesothelioma has a median survival time of 6-10 months, and patients with testicular mesothelioma live about two years, on average.

• Age: The younger you are, the greater your chances of surviving for a longer period. As we age, our bodies lose the ability to recover from aggressive procedures and therapies. Therefore, younger patients generally have more treatment options. Nearly half of patients below the age of 45 live five years or longer following diagnosis. That number shrinks to just above 1 in 20 patients over the age of 65.