Mesothelioma Prognosis

Mesothelioma Prognosis

As you have likely been informed by your doctor, mesothelioma is an aggressive form of cancer, the prognosis for which is poor. This is so because mesothelioma has a long latency period, which means most cases are not detected until an advanced stage. Unfortunately, many patients live less than a year after their diagnosis. That said, a mesothelioma prognosis can include several treatment options to help fight the disease and improve quality of life.  

Important Terminology

We’ll use two phrases on this page that require definition:

• Life expectancy: The length of time a patient may survive; the number of months/years can change depending on the treatment.
• Survival rate: This is a statistic that shows how many patients live X length of time after their diagnosis.

Prognosis Varies by Type of Mesothelioma

There are several different types of mesothelioma, determined by where the cancer first starts. Each type has a different prognosis.

• Pleural mesothelioma: Accounting for up to 90 percent of all mesothelioma cases, this form of cancer affects the linings of your lungs. Patients who undergo treatment (surgery, chemotherapy, radiation or a combination) live for an average of 6 to 18 months after diagnosis.
• Peritoneal mesothelioma: Making up 15 to 20 percent of mesothelioma cases, this form of cancer affects the linings in the abdomen. The average life expectancy for patients is one year. If the cancer is detected early, the prognosis is much brighter – these patients can undergo surgery and/or chemotherapy, leading to a five-year survival rate up to 67 percent.
• Pericardial mesothelioma: This is a very rare form of mesothelioma, affecting 1 to 2 percent of patients. Unfortunately, this form is extremely hard to detect; many people aren’t properly diagnosed until an autopsy is conducted. The prognosis is about six months.
• Testicular mesothelioma: The rarest of all mesothelioma types, this is seen in 1 percent of all cases. The life expectancy averages 20 to 23 months, though with treatment some live much longer.

Factors Affecting Mesothelioma Prognosis 

Doctors factor in five items when analyzing the prognosis of a patient:

• What stage is the cancer in? (1,2, 3 or 4; 4 is the most advanced)
• What cell type is the cancer?
• Where in the body is the cancer located?
• Has the cancer spread (metastasized)?
• What is the patient’s overall health? (healthier people can undergo more treatment)

Our Texas Mesothelioma Lawyers Are Here for You

The Dallas trial lawyers of Ted B. Lyon & Associates have successfully represented many clients whose prognoses were difficult, to say the least. As one of the leading injury law firms in Texas, we would be proud to evaluate your mesothelioma claim and potentially obtain compensation on your behalf. 

Schedule your free attorney consultation with an award winning mesothelioma lawyer by calling our Dallas office at 877-Ted-Lyon / 877-833-5966 or contact us online anytime.