Mesothelioma Survival Rate

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Expert Take

Dr. Jacques Fontaine: What can I do to improve my chances of survival if I was just diagnosed with mesothelioma?

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People come and ask me, what can I do. I was just diagnosed with mesothelioma. What can I do to improve my chances? I tell them three things.

One is exercise every day. Get up and walk. The more you walk the better, it is for you both physically, also mentally. Second thing, high protein foods, that's the best diet you can do.

You want to--

proteins are the building blocks of your muscles and of your body, and you want to have the best nutrition to be able to handle the treatments. And the third thing, even more important than nutrition and exercise, is attitude. If you have a positive attitude, then there's a chance that you can beat this cancer.

But if you go and start this fight already losing, you'll never make it. That's why a positive attitude goes a long way, much more than any nutritional supplement, much more than anything else, a positive attitude. And that comes from within, and that comes from the people around you.

Understanding Mesothelioma Survival Rates

Mesothelioma survival rates measure the percentage of patients still alive 1 year or more after diagnosis. The Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results, or SEER, database tracks these figures, and clinicians use them to assess prognosis and guide treatment decisions.

Key Facts About Mesothelioma Survival Rate

• The 5-year survival rate for peritoneal mesothelioma is 65%.
• The 5-year survival rate for pleural mesothelioma is 12%.
• SEER’s data from 2000-2020 show a rise in survival rates. The 1-year, 3-year and 5-year relative survival rates are trending up.
• The average survival after a patient’s diagnosis is 18 months, with a 1-year survival rate of 73% for pleural and 92% for peritoneal.

The latest 5-year survival rate for pleural mesothelioma is 12%, based on the most recent SEER data. Patients with pleural mesothelioma are about 12% more likely than those without the disease to live at least 5 years after diagnosis. For peritoneal mesothelioma, SEER puts the rate much higher at 65%.

Statistics may not apply to any one individual, and some patients live far beyond what the numbers suggest. Peritoneal mesothelioma survivor Tammy Frank has been alive 25 years beyond her life expectancy.

Do Mesothelioma Survival Statistics Apply to Me?

Mesothelioma survival rate data draws on thousands of cases and reflects averages across a broad population. Your doctor uses it to assess your prognosis for mesothelioma and identify the most appropriate treatment options, but it can’t predict your individual outcome.

Stats show younger patients survive at higher rates and tend to qualify for more aggressive treatments like surgery, for example. But survival rate data is one piece of the puzzle, and many patients outlive what the numbers suggest.

Insight From a Mesothelioma Specialist

What frustrates me most, and I hear this often with new patients, is, ‘I just saw my doctor today, and they said I have a year to 16 months to live.’ That is not the case. You’re an individual. This is your story.

Karen Selby, RN, Patient Advocate at The Mesothelioma Center

What Factors Affect Your Mesothelioma Survival Rates?

Survival rates for mesothelioma vary depending on the cancer’s stage, location and treatment type. Age, gender and overall health are also important factors that influence how long a person lives after a mesothelioma diagnosis.

Factors Affecting Mesothelioma Survival

• Age: Younger patients have a higher survival rate of mesothelioma.
• Cell type: Epithelial mesothelioma tends to respond better to treatment and has a higher survival rate.
• Disease stage: As the cancer spreads, survival rates decline.
• Gender: Women tend to have a higher survival rate of mesothelioma than men.
• Genetics: Some genes can help mesothelioma patients live longer. For example, Black patients in certain age groups show approximately 3 percentage points higher 5-year survival rates than white patients, according to SEER data.
• Location: The survival rate is higher for peritoneal mesothelioma, with a 5-year rate of 65% compared to 12% for pleural mesothelioma.
• Overall health: Patients in better health tend to live longer with mesothelioma.
• Type of treatment: Aggressive treatments can lead to better outcomes.

Women and younger patients tend to live longer with mesothelioma. Those with peritoneal tumors, early-stage disease or epithelioid cells often live longer, as do those who pursue multimodal therapy.

Experience From a Mesothelioma Survivor

There have been people who survived way beyond what the statistics say. I plan on being one of those. I have a lot of people counting on me being around. I’m not going to disappoint them.

Tina Herford, peritoneal mesothelioma survivor

Tumor Location and Type

About 65% of all peritoneal mesothelioma patients survive 5 years or more. This is 5 times the 5-year survival rate for pleural patients. Tumor location is one of the strongest predictors of how long a patient will live after diagnosis.Eligible patients with asbestos-related cancer in the peritoneum survive between 33 and 103 months when treated with Heated Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy or HIPEC, though outcomes vary significantly depending on how much the cancer has spread. This procedure delivers warm chemo directly into the belly after surgery to destroy remaining cancer cells.

Cancer Stage

The stage of mesothelioma at diagnosis is a strong predictor of overall survival. The SEER Program groups cancer survival rates into localized, regional and distant stages, which distills the 4 stages of pleural mesothelioma into 3. “Localized” represents stage 1, “regional” covers stages 2 and 3, and “distant” represents stage 4.

Patients with localized mesothelioma have better survival rates than those at regional or distant stages, particularly when a mesothelioma specialist treats them quickly. Earlier-stage patients are more likely to qualify for surgery and other aggressive therapies linked to better outcomes.

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Mesothelioma Cell Type

The types of cells that make up a tumor impact how patients respond to treatment and how long they survive. Mesothelioma has 3 cell types, which define the key subtypes of this cancer.

Subtypes of Mesothelioma

• Epithelioid: Best prognosis; surgery patients survive approximately 18 months on average.
• Sarcomatoid: Poorest prognosis; average survival of 5 to 8 months.
• Biphasic: Prognosis depends on the ratio of epithelioid to sarcomatoid cells; a higher epithelioid count improves survival.

Biphasic tumors have epithelioid and sarcomatoid features. Patients whose tumors consist mostly of sarcomatoid cells carry a lower life expectancy than those with a higher proportion of epithelioid cells.

Gender

Women diagnosed with mesothelioma tend to have longer survival rates compared to men. This trend holds true regardless of age, mesothelioma stage, race or treatment type.
Women are also more likely to receive a peritoneal mesothelioma diagnosis. This mesothelioma type has considerably better survival than pleural disease. This higher rate of peritoneal diagnoses among women contributes to the overall survival gap between the sexes.

Age and Mesothelioma Survival: Key Statistics

Age is a significant factor in mesothelioma survival rates. Younger people with mesothelioma have better survival outcomes compared to older patients, as younger individuals often respond better to treatment.

How Age Plays a Role

• Approximately 75% of mesothelioma patients diagnosed before age 50 survive at least 1 year after diagnosis. 
• Only 44% of patients aged 65 or older with mesothelioma live for 1 year after diagnosis. 

Younger patients are usually healthier. So, they can usually tolerate more aggressive and effective therapies. They’re also less likely to have other, lasting health issues at the same time. Older patients are more likely to have other lung diseases, diabetes or a history of cancer.

Kevin Sinyard

Verified Asbestos.com Survivor

Pleural Mesothelioma Survivor Surpasses Average Survival

Pleural mesothelioma survivor Kevin Sinyard far surpassed the average mesothelioma survival rate. He was initially told he only had 6 months to live before undergoing extrapleural pneumonectomy surgery. He then underwent aggressive chemotherapy and radiation regimens. Kevin told us, “I’m proof that you can survive and still live a really good life.”

Kevin Sinyard

Verified Asbestos.com Survivor

Read Kevin’s Story

Overall Health and Genetics

Mesothelioma patients with a history of smoking, heavy alcohol use or poor diet tend to have lower survival rates. Coexisting conditions, such as heart disease and diabetes, can affect your survival as well.

Overall Health and Mesothelioma Survival

• Alcohol and tobacco: Heavy alcohol use and smoking can lower mesothelioma survival.
• Coexisting medical conditions: Chronic issues, such as heart or lung disease and diabetes, reduce mesothelioma survival.
• Exercise: Regular exercise is vital for good health.
• Genetics: Black patients in certain age groups show approximately 3 percentage points higher 5-year survival rates than white patients, according to SEER data.
• Nutrition: Drinking enough water can help. A high-calorie, nutritious diet can help as well.

Good nutrition and exercise can help you live longer. A healthy diet and regular exercise help patients respond better to cancer treatment. Your genes and family history also play a role. 

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Mesothelioma Survival Rates by Cancer Type

Mesothelioma survival rates depend on the type and stage of the cancer. Pleural mesothelioma is the most common type. It’s more aggressive and harder to detect early. Most patients live 12 to 21 months after diagnosis. Stage 1 pleural mesothelioma has an average survival of about 21 months or more, while stage 4 has an average survival of roughly 12 to 24 months.

Pleural Mesothelioma Survival Rate

The 5-year survival rate for pleural mesothelioma is 12%, and the 1-year survival rate is 73%. Most patients live 12 to 21 months after diagnosis, though outcomes vary significantly by stage. Stage 1 patients average about 21 months or more, while stage 4 patients average roughly 12 to 24 months.

Pleural mesothelioma is harder to detect early because symptoms often resemble less serious respiratory conditions. Earlier detection gives patients access to more aggressive treatments, which are consistently linked to longer survival.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma Survival Rate

The 5-year survival rate for peritoneal mesothelioma is 65%, and the 1-year survival rate is 92%, making it by far the most survivable form of the disease. Peritoneal mesothelioma responds strongly to treatment, particularly surgery combined with HIPEC.

Patients who undergo cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC survive between 33 and 103 months, with outcomes varying depending on how advanced the cancer is. Many peritoneal patients live more than 5 years after diagnosis, and long-term survival is achievable with the right treatment approach.

Pericardial Mesothelioma Survival Rate

Pericardial mesothelioma is a rare cancer that forms around the heart and carries a median survival of 3 to 10 months. Most cases go undetected until the disease is advanced, which pushes the 5-year survival rate below 1%.

Treatment for pericardial mesothelioma focuses primarily on relieving symptoms and improving quality of life. The rarity of this type limits large clinical studies, which makes precise survival data difficult to establish.

Testicular Mesothelioma Survival Rate

Testicular mesothelioma is the rarest form of the disease, and patients typically live 20 months to 2 years depending on stage and treatment. Because so few cases exist, comprehensive survival rate data remains limited.

Patients with an early-stage diagnosis have better access to surgery and other aggressive treatments, which can meaningfully extend survival. Outcomes vary widely, and individual factors such as age and overall health play a significant role.

Comparing 5-Year Survival Rates

The 5-year survival rate is 12% for pleural mesothelioma. For peritoneal mesothelioma, it’s 65%. Many peritoneal patients live more than 5 years if treated early.

We work with pleural patients who have lived more than 5 years from the time of their diagnosis. Michael Cole, for example, is a 10-year pleural mesothelioma survivor.

How To Improve Your Mesothelioma Survival

Many factors can improve your personal survival and help improve the overall survival rate for mesothelioma patients. An early diagnosis and access to new treatments, such as immunotherapy and targeted therapies, play a critical role in extending survival.

Ways to Improve Mesothelioma Survival

• Clinical trials: Offer access to emerging therapies, including immunotherapy and vaccines. Research shows participation can significantly improve outcomes, including extending survival. 
• Early detection: Earlier-stage diagnoses qualify for aggressive treatments with better outcomes.
• Healthy lifestyle: Regular exercise and a high-calorie diet support treatment response and overall health.
• Nutrition: Healthcare teams treating mesothelioma patients report that nutritional status has a significant impact on survival outcomes, as reported in a 2024 qualitative insights report in the journal Lung Cancer.
• Specialized mesothelioma treatment centers: Patients who received both surgery and chemotherapy survived an average of 21.7 months, compared to 11.4 months for those who received chemo alone.

Your prognosis isn’t based only on mesothelioma survival stats. A 5-year survival rate doesn’t show how mesothelioma cancer symptoms may affect your quality of life. Each person reacts differently to treatment.

A recent study of pleural patients who received surgery, chemotherapy and radiation lived around 21.7 months. Those who decided against treatment reported an overall survival of 10.2 months.

Your prognosis isn’t based only on mesothelioma survival stats. A 5-year survival rate doesn’t show how mesothelioma cancer symptoms may affect your quality of life. Each person reacts differently to treatment. 

Mesothelioma Long-Term Survival and Recent Advances

Your overall health and treatment for mesothelioma may help you live longer than the survival rates suggest. The 5-year survival rates don’t consider the most recent advances in medicine.Statistics may be a source of comfort for some people and confusing or frightening for others. Those diagnosed today may have more therapy choices and a better chance of survival. New treatments are helping people live longer.

Exclusive Content | Brunilda Villareal: What would you tell people about life after recovering from mesothelioma? View Transcript

I think that thought that, to live the moment, becomes very real.

Because we had been living live the year type of thing. You know?

But after recovery, we’re more aware of things that are happening to us. And we do things more programmed, you know, like, we want to do this. I mean, like, now it’s not only that we have a bucket list. Now it’s that we have a we’re going to do this list. That yes, there is a tomorrow, but we’re planning for it.

That tomorrow is very important. It’s sacred, you know, that I like to use I’d like to use that word that it’s sacred. Your life is sacred and that we’re more mindful of it and that we understand it more. That it could be taken away from you and, through no fault of your own. And we’re just more mindful of of that sacred life that we have.

“We had been living a ‘live the year’ type of thing. But after recovery, now it’s not only that we have a bucket list. We have a ‘we’re going to do this’ list,” Brunilda Villareal, the wife of a mesothelioma survivor, told us. “Tomorrow is very important. It’s sacred.”

Asbestos.com Expert Takeaway

Expert Takeaways on Survival Rate

• A Phase II trial of the UV1 cancer vaccine combined with immunotherapy reduced the risk of death by 27% in pleural mesothelioma patients, extending median survival to 15.4 months compared to 11.1 months for immunotherapy alone.
• Trials of new approaches aiming to improve life expectancy are ongoing. And many factors affect an individual’s personal life expectancy including how early someone is diagnosed.

“New therapies, like immunotherapy and vaccines, are changing how we treat cancer. “Hopefully, these trends will lead to longer survival and a cure.”

Dr. Daniel Landau, medical director of virtual hematology at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston

Common Questions About Mesothelioma Survival Rates

What is the average mesothelioma survival rate?

Based on tumor location alone, survival rates vary. The average 5-year survival rate for pleural mesothelioma is about 12%. For peritoneal mesothelioma, it’s 65%. Cell type, mesothelioma stage, age, gender and overall health also influence the survival rate.

What is the peritoneal mesothelioma survival rate?

The 5-year survival rate for peritoneal mesothelioma is 65%, compared to 12% for pleural mesothelioma. Eligible patients who undergo cytoreductive surgery and heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) survive between 33 and 103 months, with outcomes varying by disease burden.

Can you survive mesothelioma?

Some mesothelioma patients have survived more than 10 years after diagnosis. While there is no cure, remission is possible and survival rates have improved over the past 20 years. While most mesothelioma patients only survive approximately 12 months after diagnosis, treatment may extend mesothelioma survival and there have been advances in care.

How does the survival rate of mesothelioma compare to the lung cancer survival rate? 

The 5-year survival rate for mesothelioma patients is about 12%. The 5-year survival rate for lung cancer patients is about 26.6%.

How does the survival rate of mesothelioma compare to the lung cancer survival rate?

The 5-year survival rate for mesothelioma patients is about 12%. The 5-year survival rate for lung cancer patients is about 26.6%.

How can treatment improve mesothelioma survival?

Patients who received both surgery and chemotherapy survived an average of 21.7 months, compared to 11.4 months for those who received chemotherapy alone. Working with a mesothelioma doctor and undergoing multimodal treatment can extend lifespans for many people. 

Multimodal therapy combines treatments such as surgery, chemo, immunotherapy or radiation. For peritoneal mesothelioma, patients are known to survive multiple years with cytoreductive surgery and heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy. Clinical trials are also available when standard options are no longer effective.

What is the longest someone has lived with mesothelioma?

There are survivors who have lived more than 10 years and, in very rare cases, more than 20 years with mesothelioma. The longest-living survivors generally are diagnosed early, have the epithelioid mesothelioma cell type and receive treatment from a specialized mesothelioma center.