Mesothelioma Survival Rate

What Is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a malignant neoplasm affecting a thinner layer of tissue on top of your organs. This layer, also called the mesothelium, exists on all internal organs and protects them from the outside.

Mesothelioma is a much more aggressive form of cancer, and treatment options vary depending on the region of the body where the disease occurs. This neoplasm most commonly affects the lungs. However, other types do exist, which are related to the abdomen, heart, and testicles [¹].

Understanding mesothelioma, its various types, treatment options, and the relevant prognosis is necessary to manage the disease. The following sections provide detailed information on mesothelioma and its treatment.

Types of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma types differ according to the cells or the tumor's location within the body. There are four main regions of the body where mesothelioma may occur [²];

• Lungs: When mesothelioma occurs in the lining of the lungs, this is called pleural mesothelioma. This is the most common type.
• Abdomen: Mesothelioma that occurs in the lining of the abdomen is called peritoneal mesothelioma. This rarer type of neoplasm leads to the growth of tumors in the region.
• Heart: This mesothelioma accounts for only 1% of the total cases. Also known as pericardial mesothelioma, this affects the lining of the heart.
• Testicles: Affecting the testicular lining, testicular mesothelioma might form a tumor around the testes. This is also a rare mesothelioma; further research is required to understand its development.

Mesothelioma can also be categorized according to the cells generated by the neoplasm. This includes the following [²];

• Epithelioid Mesothelioma: This is the most common type, producing cells with box and oval shapes. This type also is much more responsive to treatment than others, which leads to a better prognosis.
• Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma: Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma is a neoplasm that produces oval or spindle-shaped cells with a poorer diagnosis than others. This is also much rarer than the former.
• Biphasic Mesothelioma: This combines the first two and produces tumors with both the abovementioned cells. Median survival may be lower than others, but clinical trials continue to make headway and provide a better prognosis.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Mesothelioma?

Signs and symptoms of mesothelioma may vary depending on where the disease originates. The common signs of the disease include [³];

1. Pleural Mesothelioma

This is commonly characterized by pain in the chest, breathing difficulty, persistent cough, swelling on the face and arms, issues with swallowing, hoarseness, and other symptoms.

2. Peritoneal Mesothelioma

This involves persistent belly pain accompanied by nausea or vomiting, constipation, and a swollen abdomen.

3. Pericardial Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma that occurs in the heart's lining often comes with chest pain, irregular heartbeat, a murmur, breathing issues, fever, shortness of breath, and more.

Note that neoplasms generally cause fever, excessive and unexplained weight loss, fatigue, and a loss of appetite. However, these symptoms can also be associated with benign diseases. You must speak to your provider if you have been experiencing any of the above-mentioned symptoms.

Mesothelioma Diagnosis and Staging

Understanding mesothelioma can be made easier by recognizing diagnosis methods and staging. Staging can also lead to relevant treatment and prognosis for most neoplasms. The same is true for mesothelioma. Timely treatment can reduce the chances of carcinomatosis.

How is Mesothelioma Diagnosed?

The diagnosis of mesothelioma usually involves a physical exam or procedures that provide a doctor with a chance to look for signs. These might involve X-rays or CT scans which can rule out abnormalities.

If the doctor spots a sign of mesothelioma, further tests might be required to confirm staging. These can also include a biopsy which removes tissues from the body and sends it to the lab for analysis [⁴].

Mesothelioma Staging

Since mesothelioma is a rarer kind of neoplasm, formal staging might not exist. However, since staging follows a similar basis, forming a conclusion is easier.

Malignant neoplasms located in the lining covering the organs are staged according to how far the tumor has progressed. The first stages involve cancer being confined to a smaller boundary. This is when the tumor hasn't moved to nearby regions.

The second stage involves the tumor moving to nearby lymph nodes. This is also called carcinomatosis. It is followed by the third stage, whereby the cancer moves to distant organs in the body.

Mesothelioma Survival Rate

Prognosis for mesothelioma usually considers two separate metrics: survival rate and quality of life (QOL). Doctors and researchers typically define survival rate in terms of the five-year survival rate, which indicates the percentage of patients who are alive five years after their diagnosis.

The survival rate for mesothelioma is highly dependent on the stage of the disease, including tumor size and extent of metastasis, as well as on the underlying health status of the patient. In general, mesothelioma cancers caught at earlier stages (stage 0/in situ, stage 1) have a better outlook.

If the cancer has metastasized, treatment is more difficult, but in any case, it is important to maintain hope. It is important to understand that survival statistics represent averages - they should not be taken as prescriptive determinations of your future outcome.

What is the Survival Rate for Mesothelioma?

The mean survival rate is usually depicted through a 5-year survival probability. This represents the percentage of people that survive for up to 5 years after the diagnosis. For pleural mesothelioma, the 5-year mean survival rate is set at 12%. For peritoneal mesothelioma, this figure increases to 65%.

The best way to understand prognosis is to research the factors impacting survival probabilities. Here are some factors that can affect survival after a diagnosis of mesothelioma [⁵];

1. Age

As is true for all neoplasms, age plays a big role. The greater the age, the harder it is for the body to respond to aggressive treatment and stay active throughout. The age at the time of the diagnosis can increase or decrease the mean survival rate.

Younger patients receive a much better prognosis than older ones. This is because the older population also brings its unique medical history to the table. These can limit available treatment options.

For people under 50 years of age, the mean survival rate for mesothelioma is 66%. However, it decreases to 55% as we go up to 64, and further reduces to 37% above 65 years.

2. Gender

Survival rates between men and women may differ. Women have a much higher survival probability than men once diagnosed with mesothelioma. This may be due to the effect of estrogen and its relationship with estrogen receptors on tumors associated with mesothelioma.

Another reason is that women are much more likely to be diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma, which has a higher survival rate.

3. Mesothelioma Type

Most of the prognosis usually depends on the type of mesothelioma and the related diagnosis. In most cases, epithelioid mesothelioma allows patients the best prognosis. On the other hand, sarcomatoid mesothelioma is much more aggressive and less responsive to treatment.

Moreover, staging is also important. If the cancer is more localized and has not spread to nearby organs and lymph nodes, long-term survival is more probable. On the other hand, a latter stage involving carcinomatosis reduces survival probability.

Another important consideration is taking into account where the tumor is located. If mesothelioma presents itself in the lining of the lungs and abdomen, the prognosis is more favorable. In the case of mesothelioma affecting the lining of the heart, survival probability may decrease.

4. Genetical Markers

Certain markers can give some people a better prognosis and long-term survival rates than others. For example, when detected, BAP1 BRCA 1 – associated protein 1 marker presents a better prognosis.

5. Medical History

People who are in great shape overall and don't have a history of poor health might have a better prognosis. Moreover, having high platelet and WBC count can decrease the chances of survival for mesothelioma patients.

Mesothelioma Treatment Options

Treatment for mesothelioma includes both surgical intervention and drug therapy. Traditional treatments involve removing tumors from the lining of the organ, providing the best chances for survival.

Moreover, chemotherapy is also a recommended alternative to surgery, especially in cases where the latter might not be possible. Chemotherapy also provides a much better prognosis when combined with drug therapy.

Other treatments, such as radiation, can prove effective, especially when combined with the therapies above. Moreover, recent research has also introduced many new therapies to cancer treatment and research.

A great alternative to traditional treatment is clinical trials. These can provide you with a better prognosis as you enter research trials and benefit from advanced solutions to cancer. However, it is important to ensure all treatments are discussed with a medical professional.

Conclusion

Takeaway

Mesothelioma might be more aggressive than other forms of cancer. However, this does not mean treatment options don't exist. Most kinds of mesothelioma provide favorable 5-year survival probabilities to many patients.

It is important to speak with a medical professional and decide on treatment plans accordingly. A doctor can evaluate your medical history and stage your disease to give you the best information available.