Mesothelioma Survival Rate
Discussing a “mesothelioma survival rate” may be misleading because there is no known cure for mesothelioma. Treatment options in all stages are generally targeted at making patients comfortable and extending quality of life as much as possible. This kind of treatment is known as palliative care.
A mesothelioma survival rate is also sometimes referred to as a prognosis, or outlook, and is a determination of how long a patient can expect to be living with mesothelioma comfortable. While there are no guarantees, the right combination of palliative treatments can improve the mesothelioma survival rate of a patient.
The Average Time of Mesothelioma Survival Rate
According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), the average mesothelioma survival rate for a mesothelioma patient in terms of time is 4 to 18 months following diagnosis. Although those numbers are the average, some mesothelioma patients have lived as long as five years following a diagnosis.
A patient’s survival time and mesothelioma survival rate can be extended by combination therapies. A 2009 study from the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center found that patients who went through chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy had a median survival time of 29.1 months, with more than 60 percent of patients living for more than two years. Patients who only had one or two of the treatment types only had a median survival time of 17 months.
Mesothelioma Metastasis
By the time it’s diagnosed, mesothelioma metastasis may have occurred, which means the cancer cells spread beyond the initial tumor and into other parts of the body. A patient’s mesothelioma survival rate will depend on the rate of metastasis, the size of the tumors, how much fluid has accumulated in the patient’s chest and what type of mesothelioma the patient has. The easier it is to remove tumors and drain any fluid that is present, the better a patient’s mesothelioma survival rate may be.
No matter how positive or negative your mesothelioma survival rate or prognosis may be, speak to an asbestos attorney today. You may be entitled to a settlement that would help to relieve your financial burden.