Prognosis for Peritoneal Mesothelioma
What to Expect After Diagnosis—and What Can Improve Outcomes
Peritoneal mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer, but its prognosis has improved significantly in recent years—especially for patients who are diagnosed early and receive advanced treatments like cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC.
While average survival statistics may seem discouraging, many patients live well beyond expectations, particularly with the right care team, cell type, and treatment approach.
What Does Prognosis Mean?
“Prognosis” refers to the expected course and outcome of a disease. In peritoneal mesothelioma, this includes:
Life expectancy
Likelihood of response to treatment
Disease progression rate
Remember: statistics reflect averages, not guarantees. Your personal prognosis depends on many individual factors.
Key Factors That Affect Prognosis
🔍 1. Stage at Diagnosis
Early-stage (low tumor burden) patients often qualify for curative surgery and HIPEC
Advanced-stage cases may require systemic therapy or focus on palliative care
Learn more: Staging of Peritoneal Mesothelioma →
🧬 2. Cell Type (Histological Subtype)
Epithelioid: Best prognosis; slower growth and better treatment response
Sarcomatoid: Rare and aggressive; shorter survival
Biphasic: Mixed; prognosis depends on ratio of cell types
Learn more: Peritoneal Mesothelioma Cell Types →
💪 3. Overall Health and Age
Younger, healthier patients tolerate surgery and chemotherapy better
Older patients or those with other conditions may need more supportive care
🔬 4. Treatment Plan
CRS + HIPEC offers the best survival outcomes (median ~53 months in some studies)
Systemic chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or clinical trials can help manage advanced disease
Palliative care improves quality of life and can extend survival in later stages
Survival Rates: What the Data Shows
With CRS + HIPEC:
Median survival = ~4.5 years
Some patients live 5+ years, especially with epithelioid subtype
Without surgery/HIPEC:
Average survival is typically less than 1 year
One-year survival rate: 60–70% (with treatment)
Five-year survival rate: ~30–40% (with optimal treatment and early diagnosis)
These numbers continue to improve as new therapies emerge.
Improving Your Prognosis
Even though mesothelioma is aggressive, there are steps you can take to improve your outlook:
✅ Get Diagnosed Early
Persistent abdominal symptoms? Don’t wait—early detection opens more treatment doors.
✅ Get Treated by a Specialist
Outcomes are better when you’re treated at a high-volume mesothelioma center with experience in CRS and HIPEC.
✅ Explore Clinical Trials
New options like immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and CAR-T cell treatment are expanding possibilities.
✅ Focus on Nutrition and Symptom Management
Good physical strength and symptom control help you stay eligible for more aggressive therapies.
Legal Compensation Helps Fund Lifesaving Treatment
Advanced care can be expensive. Legal compensation from asbestos trust claims or lawsuits can help you afford:
HIPEC surgery and travel to treatment centers
Home care and symptom management
Long-term follow-up and second opinions
Learn more: Legal Help for Peritoneal Mesothelioma →
Every Case Is Unique—Let’s Talk About Yours
We’ve helped many patients outlive their original prognosis. Whether you’re just starting your treatment journey or facing advanced disease, we can help you:
Understand your options
Access the best care
Explore financial support
📞 Call 833-4-ASBESTOS
Or schedule your free case review today.