Mesothelioma Patients Can Survive Past Five Years

Posted on Monday, March 01, 2010.

Mesothelioma, the rare but deadly cancer of the mesothelium caused by asbestos exposure, is often fatal within a year of diagnosis. But thanks to better diagnostic tools, including the use of some newly-identified biomarkers to identify those at highest risk, some patients do survive this cancer for five years or more.

Statistics from the National Cancer Institute indicate that 7.3 percent of people diagnosed with mesothelioma between 1999 and 2006 were likely to be alive five years later. People who are younger than 65 at the time of diagnosis have the greatest chance of making it at least five years — 14.8 percent. The latest National Cancer Institute prevalence figures say 2,774 people were diagnosed with mesothelioma between 2000 and 2006. At that time, 4,194 people were living with the disease.

Due to the long latency between asbestos exposure and the development of mesothelioma, it can take as long as 40 or 50 years for symptoms to develop. When they do develop, they may mimic symptoms of other conditions, delaying diagnosis further. By the time some patients are diagnosed, it may be too late for even aggressive intervention to positively impact survival rates.

New diagnostic markers are needed to both detect mesothelioma and identify those mesothelioma patients that have the best chance of getting value from existing therapies. A new study conducted at New York University's Langone Medical Center suggests a genetic marker inside tumor cells may help identify patients who are most likely to respond well to treatment of the pleural (lung-based) form of mesothelioma.

Researchers conducted the study on 142 patients who had had surgery for their mesothelioma. In those with highest levels of the marker, known as miR-29c, the survival period was as much as four times higher than for those with the lower levels. With treatment, those with higher MiR-29c had a median survival rate of 32 months. Study Director Dr. Harvey Pass says the results may prompt physicians to be more aggressive with treatment in those with the worst prognosis.

Sources:

National Cancer Institute: Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results, Cancer Statistics Review.

“Q&A: NYU Langone Medical Center's Harvey Pass on MiR-29c and Mesothelioma Prognosis”, February 18,2010, GenomeWeb: RHAi News.

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“With my husband passing away so many details needed to be taken care of. The attorneys have always taken their time with us when I didn’t understand the paperwork and explained everything in language that I can understand.”

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“The doctors I met said there was nothing that could be done for me. One said I should make funeral arrangements. You directed me to the right doctor and so here I am. You guys were my lifesaver.”

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“I was truly lost and did not know which way to go when I was diagnosed. Thankfully, your organization came to my rescue. The full information packet, as well as DVD’s, have helped me and my family understand this terrible cancer.”

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Mesothelioma is rare but devastating. According to the CDC, 2,669 new cases were diagnosed in the United States in 2022. Asbestos exposure is the only known cause — and compensation systems exist because exposure was widespread and preventable.
Source: CDC – https://www.cdc.gov/united-states-cancer-statistics/publications/mesothelioma.html

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Our client was a 68-year-old woman diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma after having been exposed to asbestos-contaminated products. Her illness was blamed on both primary and secondary exposure to the carcinogen, as she helped her husband with his general contracting work and laundered his work clothes, which were frequently covered with asbestos fibers and dust. She received $6,142,500 after attorneys' fees and expenses.

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Last updated: October 5, 2025

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