Mesothelioma Survival Rates. About 40 percent of patients with mesothelioma survive the first year after diagnosis. That survival rate depends on many factors, including age, cancer stage, cancer type, race and gender

Cancer statistics in general

Doctors collect statistical information about different types of cancer and prognosis. Prognosis is the likely outcome of your disease and treatment. In other words, your chances of getting better and how long you are likely to live.
Remember that statistics are averages based on large numbers of patients. They cannot predict exactly what will happen to you. No patients are exactly alike and the response to treatment also varies from one person to another.
We have information that explains more about the different types of cancer statistics in the section on cancer statistics. Unless you are very familiar with medical statistics, you may find it helpful to read this before you read the information below.
You should feel free to ask your doctor about your prognosis, but not even your doctor can tell you for sure what will happen. Your doctor may use the term '1, 2, or 5 year survival'. This relates to the number of people in research who were still alive 1, 2, or 5 years after diagnosis. This is because doctors follow what happens to people for several years after treatment in any research study. It does not mean you only live for 1, 2 or 5 years.