Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare and aggressive cancer that affects the mesothelial cells that line the lungs’ pleural cavity. It is primarily caused by exposure to asbestos and has a poor prognosis due to its aggressive nature and resistance to traditional cancer treatments. The survival rates for MPM vary depending on several factors, including the stage of the cancer, the age and overall health of the patient, and the treatment options used.
Overall Survival Rates for MPM:
The overall survival rate for MPM is relatively low, with a median survival time of 8-14 months after diagnosis. According to the American Cancer Society, the 5-year survival rate for MPM is around 10% to 20%, which means that only about 10-20% of people diagnosed with MPM survive for five years or more after their diagnosis.
Survival Rates by Stage:
The stage of MPM at the time of diagnosis is a crucial factor in determining a patient’s prognosis. The TNM staging system is commonly used to describe the extent and spread of MPM:
Stage I: The cancer is localized to one side of the chest and has not spread to the lymph nodes. The median survival time for stage I MPM is around 20 months, and the five-year survival rate is 46%.
Stage II: The cancer has spread to nearby tissues or lymph nodes on the same side of the chest. The median survival time for stage II MPM is around 17 months, and the five-year survival rate is around 30%.
Stage III: The cancer has spread to the chest wall, diaphragm, or nearby lymph nodes on the opposite side of the chest. The median survival time for stage III MPM is around 12 months, and the five-year survival rate is less than 10%.
Stage IV: The cancer has spread to distant organs or tissues. The median survival time for stage IV MPM is around 6 months, and the five-year survival rate is less than 1%.
Survival Rates by Treatment:
The treatment options for MPM include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy. The combination of these treatments can improve survival rates in some cases. However, the effectiveness of these treatments varies depending on the stage of the cancer and the overall health of the patient.
Surgery:
Surgery is often the preferred treatment option for patients with early-stage MPM. The two main surgical procedures used for MPM are pleurectomy/decortication (P/D) and extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP). P/D involves the removal of the pleural lining and any visible tumors, while EPP involves the removal of the entire affected lung, the pleura lining, and nearby lymph nodes.
The survival rates for surgery depend on the stage of the cancer and the type of surgery performed. For patients with stage I MPM who undergo P/D, the five-year survival rate is around 46%. However, the survival rates for patients with stage III or IV MPM who undergo surgery are much lower, with a median survival time of around 12 months.
Chemotherapy:
Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill cancer cells. The most commonly used chemotherapy drugs for MPM are cisplatin and pemetrexed. Chemotherapy can be used alone or in combination with other treatments, such as surgery or radiation therapy. The survival rates for chemotherapy depend on the stage of the cancer and the patient’s overall health.
For patients with advanced-stage MPM (stage III or IV), chemotherapy can improve survival rates. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found that patients with stage III or IV MPM who received chemotherapy had a median survival time of around 12 months, compared to 9 months for those who did not receive chemotherapy.
Radiation Therapy:
Radiation therapy is the use of high-energy X-rays to kill cancer cells. It can be used alone or in combination with other treatments, such as surgery or chemotherapy. The survival rates for radiation therapy depend on the stage of the cancer and the patient’s overall health.
For patients with early-stage MPM (stage I or II), radiation therapy can improve survival rates when used in combination with surgery. A study published in the Annals of Thoracic Surgery found that patients with stage I or II MPM who underwent P/D and received radiation therapy had a median survival time of around 28 months, compared to 20 months for those who underwent P/D alone.
Immunotherapy:
Immunotherapy is a relatively new treatment option for MPM that involves the use of drugs that help the body’s immune system fight cancer. The most commonly used immunotherapy drugs for MPM are pembrolizumab and nivolumab. Immunotherapy can be used alone or in combination with other treatments, such as chemotherapy.
The survival rates for immunotherapy are still being studied, but early results are promising. A study published in the Lancet Oncology found that patients with advanced-stage MPM who received pembrolizumab had a median progression-free survival of around 6.2 months and an overall response rate of 20%, suggesting that immunotherapy may be a viable treatment option for some MPM patients.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, MPM is a rare and aggressive cancer with a poor prognosis. The survival rates for MPM vary depending on several factors, including the stage of the cancer, the age and overall health of the patient, and the treatment options used. Surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy are all potential treatment options for MPM, but their effectiveness varies depending on the stage of the cancer and the patient’s overall health. While the survival rates for MPM are relatively low, advances in treatment options, including immunotherapy, offer hope for improving the outlook for patients with this devastating disease.
