There is no cure for mesothelioma but there are treatments, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery, that can help prolong life and improve quality of life for patients. Approximately 37,000 people lost their battle with mesothelioma between 1999 and 2013, with 2,497 dying in 2013.
MORE: Explaining the causes, stages and treatment of mesothelioma.
According to the National Cancer Institute, around 40 percent of mesothelioma patients will survive for at least a year following diagnosis but this drops to just 20 percent when it comes to surviving for more than two years. However, as treatments improve, more patients are living longer with some surviving more than seven years post-diagnosis.
As with most types of cancer, early detection is key. Those who are diagnosed early will typically live longer than those diagnosed at a later stage, although there are other factors to take into account.
Women are more likely to survive longer after treatment than men. The Mesothelioma Center reported that 13.4 percent of women survived more than five years compared to 4.5 percent of men.
Age is also an important factor, with younger patients typically surviving longer than older patients. More than half of people under the age of 50 will live a year or more, compared to 33 percent of those over the age of 75.
In terms of surviving for a year after diagnosis, race did not factor. However, for longer term survival, African-Americans were more likely to survive five years (12.6 percent) compared to Caucasians (7.6 percent). Find out more about the statistics of mesothelioma here.
MORE: Seven complications of mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma Research News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
