Survival rates for those diagnosed with mesothelioma have actually been steadily improving over the past few decades due to new treatments, more research and better funding.
Overall, about 40 percent of mesothelioma patients survive the first year after diagnosis. These rates vary based on many factors: Age, race, gender, cancer stage, location, cell type and mesothelioma type.
Historically, survival rates for mesothelioma are measured in terms of one-year survival. However, many mesothelioma patients are beating the odds and living far beyond median survival rates thanks to advances in treatment.
MESOTHELIOMA SURVIVAL STATISTICS
Statistics tell us that 40 percent of patients survive the first year after their diagnosis. This is known as the 1-year survival rate for mesothelioma. Scientists often measure mesothelioma life span by 1, 2, and 5-year survival rates.
The 2-year survival rate for mesothelioma is 20 percent. So a fifth of all patients diagnosed live longer than 2 years.
Fewer than ten percent of mesothelioma patients live longer than 5 years.
Remember that each individual case of mesothelioma is different. Statistics that apply to others may not apply to you. Your actual life expectancy depends on your treatments, your tumor location and your cell type.
These statistics include best and worst case scenarios. They include patients who have received surgery and those who were ineligible.
Summary of mesothelioma survival rates:
40 percent of mesothelioma patients live longer than one year.
20 percent of mesothelioma patients live longer than two years.
10 percent of mesothelioma patients live live longer than five years.
Survival by location, stage and cell subtype of mesothelioma
Survival varies with each location, stage and particular cell subtype of mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is generally associated with a poor prognosis as it is an aggressive disease.
Mesothelioma is usually not found until it is at an advanced stage, which makes it more difficult to treat. Only a small number of people are diagnosed with early stage mesothelioma.
LIST OF REFERENCES:
1. www.mesotheliomaguide.com
2. www.mesotheliomaveterans.org
3. http://www.cancer.ca
