Mesothelioma Survivors

While mesothelioma has a poor prognosis, some patients have lived for 20 years or more with this cancer — proving anything is possible. The best way to work toward survivorship is to get life-extending treatment. Explore mesothelioma survival stories below and get help accessing treatments following a diagnosis.

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Written and Fact-Checked by: Lung Cancer Group

Last updated: April 25, 2025

Top Topics:

Survivor Stories
Factors of Survival
Becoming a Survivor
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Can You Survive Mesothelioma?

Malignant mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer with an average life expectancy between 12 and 21 months. However, it is possible to survive mesothelioma.

Some mesothelioma survivors have lived for over 20 years or more after their diagnosis. Your life expectancy will depend on several factors, including the stage at diagnosis, your overall health, and which treatments you receive.

Lung Cancer Group may be able to help you get treatment so you can work toward becoming a long-term mesothelioma survivor.

Connect with a mesothelioma nurse right now to learn more, and explore mesothelioma survivor stories below.

Mesothelioma Survivor Stories

Facing a mesothelioma diagnosis can feel overwhelming, but real-life stories of survivors shine a light on what’s possible.

Here are some stories of inspiring mesothelioma survivors, offering hope and inspiration for your own path to healing.

Paul Kraus: Peritoneal Mesothelioma Survivor

Paul Kraus was diagnosed with advanced peritoneal mesothelioma (which develops in the abdomen) in 1997 and given only a few months to live.

Despite facing limited treatment options, Paul refused to give up, changing his lifestyle, restricting his diet to cancer-fighting foods, and trying experimental therapies. Paul lived until July 2024 — over 25 years — and was considered one of the longest mesothelioma survivors.

“I was fiercely determined to do everything I could to remain healthy and stay around for a while.”

— Paul Kraus, mesothelioma survivor

Julie Gundlach: Peritoneal Mesothelioma Survivor

Julie Gundlach was diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma in 2006 when she was in her mid-30s. Told to get her affairs in order, Julie bravely endured numerous treatments to live longer and see her young daughter grow up.

Julie is now nearing 20 years of survivorship and recently saw her daughter off to college. She has also turned to advocacy, warning others about the dangers of asbestos exposure (the only known cause of this cancer).

“My biggest fear was that my daughter would grow up and not remember her mother.”

— Julie Gundlach, mesothelioma survivor

John Stahl: Pleural Mesothelioma Survivor

John Stahl received a diagnosis of stage 4 pleural mesothelioma (which forms in the lung lining) in 2019 and was given 12 months to live.

Yet, even with this devastating prognosis, he survived after undergoing numerous rounds of chemotherapy. John has far surpassed his original life expectancy and is thriving today, more than 5 years later.

“I’m doing very well, as a matter of fact. I’m pretty well back to normal.”

– John Stahl, stage 4 mesothelioma survivor

Sissy Hoffman: Pleural Mesothelioma Survivor

Sissy Hoffman passed away in 2025 after a 29-year battle with malignant pleural mesothelioma. Diagnosed in 1996, doctors originally gave Sissy just 6 months to live.

However, after undergoing a major surgery called an extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP), Sissy was able to achieve long-term survival.

“I feel as though I have to tell my story – people need to know that there is help available and that they can get through this.”

— Sissy Hoffman, mesothelioma survivor

Call (877) 446-5767 for help finding and affording cancer treatments that can help you or a loved one potentially survive mesothelioma.

Becoming a Mesothelioma Survivor With Treatment

Getting treatment is arguably the best way to work toward becoming a mesothelioma survivor.

Different mesothelioma treatments allow doctors to remove or destroy as much of the cancer as possible, potentially giving you more time to spend with your family.

Treatments that could help you become a mesothelioma survivor include:

Surgery: In early-stage mesothelioma, surgery can be effective in removing the cancer. Some patients have lived for decades following major mesothelioma surgeries.
Chemotherapy: These cancer-killing medications can be used alone or in combination with other therapies to improve mesothelioma survival.
Radiation therapy: This uses beams of energy to destroy mesothelioma. It’s typically used along with other treatments for best results.
Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy drugs improve the body’s immune response so more cancer can be destroyed.
Multimodal therapy: Doctors combine the treatment options noted above to help patients live longer. Multimodal treatment is often recommended for patients to destroy as much of the cancer as possible.
Clinical trials: Patients can access new and potentially more effective treatments that may improve their survival time.

Connect with our mesothelioma nurses now to find top doctors, cancer centers, and treatments that may help you live longer after a diagnosis.

Factors That Affect Mesothelioma Survival

Besides treatment, mesothelioma survival is influenced by factors ranging from the disease’s severity to the patient’s overall health.

Learn more about what impacts your chances of becoming a mesothelioma survivor below.

Age at Time of Diagnosis

Younger patients typically have better mesothelioma survival rates as they can often tolerate more aggressive treatments. Additionally, older patients may have other age-related health issues that can limit treatment options.

Overall Health

A patient’s overall health is based on physical activity, stress levels, lifestyle choices, coexisting health conditions, and nutrition. Good health improves a patient’s ability to withstand and respond to treatments, possibly extending their survival.

Mesothelioma Survivors Diet

Doctors and nutritionists may recommend changes to a patient’s diet to help fight cancer. For example, a diet rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals can ease treatment side effects for mesothelioma victims.

Art Putt credits his long-term survival to changes in his diet, notably a blend of cottage cheese, powders, and nutritious oils. He’s lived for over 7 years after his pleural mesothelioma diagnosis in 2018.

Type of Mesothelioma

There are four types of mesothelioma, each affecting the lining of specific parts of the body. The specific type can affect the odds of survivorship.

Pleural mesothelioma is the most common type and has a 5-year survival rate of 12%.
Peritoneal mesothelioma has a 5-year survival rate of 65%.
Pericardial mesothelioma (in the heart lining) is rare and has a 5-year survival rate of 9%.
Testicular mesothelioma (in the lining around the testes) is the rarest type and has a 5-year survival rate of 49%.

Individual patient survival times vary, but those with peritoneal mesothelioma typically have more treatment options and better outcomes.

Stage of Mesothelioma

There are four stages of mesothelioma, ranging from localized (stages 1 and 2) to advanced (stages 3 and 4).

Early stages are easier to treat, meaning long-term survivorship is more common for these patients. However, even in advanced stages, never lose hope of becoming a mesothelioma survivor.

Mesothelioma Cell Type

Mesothelioma has different cell types, including epithelioid, sarcomatoid, and biphasic. Epithelioid mesothelioma often responds better to treatment and has a more favorable prognosis compared to the other types.

Get in touch with our nurses now for help finding treatments to become a mesothelioma survivor, no matter the factors in your case.

Improving Your Chances of Becoming a Mesothelioma Survivor

While there is no way to know for certain how long you’ll live after a mesothelioma diagnosis, there are steps you can take to increase the odds of living longer.

1. Find the Top Treatments for Your Mesothelioma Diagnosis

Connect with mesothelioma specialists and oncologists to discuss the best treatment options for your specific case. Which therapies will be most appropriate depends on your mesothelioma type, stage, cell type, and other factors.

2. Get a Second Opinion

It’s always a good idea to get a second opinion from another mesothelioma doctor after a diagnosis. This can give you more insight into your diagnosis and help determine the best approach.

3. Build a Support Network and Gather Resources

Join support groups to connect with other patients and caregivers who have stood in your shoes.

Within these networks, you can:

Gain emotional support
Get information on holistic, alternative treatments that helped others
Learn about advancements in cancer research

Counseling and therapy may also help you and your loved ones navigate the emotional challenges associated with a mesothelioma diagnosis.

Mesothelioma Survivors and Remission

Remission describes when the cancer’s progression is halted and the patient’s symptoms improve or disappear. Mesothelioma remission is rare, but may be possible for some patients.

For mesothelioma survivors, remission can take different forms:

Complete mesothelioma remission: There are no visible signs of cancer. This means the patient’s tumor has disappeared. However, some microscopic cancer cells may be undetectable.
Partial mesothelioma remission: The cancer has shrunk but not gone away completely. The patient’s mesothelioma symptoms often improve, meaning they could live longer and with a higher quality of life.
Stable disease: That cancer may still be present in a patient’s body, but is no longer spreading.

Some patients have become mesothelioma survivors even when complete remission wasn’t possible. For example, Julie Gundlach has long-term stable disease.

Get in touch with our nurses now for help finding ‌health care providers and treatments that may allow you to enter remission and become a mesothelioma survivor.

Recurrent Mesothelioma in Survivors

When cancer comes back after a period of remission, it’s known as mesothelioma recurrence. While it can be scary to know that your cancer has returned, it still may be possible to live longer.

Doctors will need to reassess your cancer to determine the best treatment plan following recurrence. Which treatments you receive may vary depending on cancer spread and your overall health.

John Panza was treated with surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation following his mesothelioma diagnosis in 2012. The cancer came back in 2019, but he was treated with minor lymph node surgery and chemotherapy. John is now nearing 15 years of survivorship.

“I just go through it. It is the challenge that I’ve been presented, and I guess that’s what I have to work with.”

— John Panza, mesothelioma survivor

Find Support to Survive Mesothelioma

Facing mesothelioma can be difficult, but mesothelioma survivors are living testaments to the power of hope, resilience, and the continued advancement in treatment options. Their stories inspire and remind us that survival is possible.

Lung Cancer Group can help patients on their journey to becoming mesothelioma survivors.

Our team can connect you with:

Top mesothelioma doctors and treatments
Promising clinical trials
Financial compensation to cover treatments
Support resources to make cancer easier to bear

Call (877) 446-5767 or connect with a mesothelioma nurse now to find out your eligibility.

Mesothelioma Survivors Stories FAQs

Are there any survivors of mesothelioma?

Yes, there are survivors of mesothelioma. Some patients have lived for years or even decades after diagnosis, demonstrating the potential for long-term survival despite the challenges posed by mesothelioma.

How long you may live for depends on factors like stage at time of diagnosis, overall health, type of cancer, and more.

Who is the longest living mesothelioma survivor?

Paul Kraus is considered one of the longest living mesothelioma survivors. Diagnosed in 1997 with peritoneal mesothelioma, he lived for 27 years with this cancer. He died in 2024.

Sissy Hoffman was also among the longest-surviving mesothelioma patients. Following a pleural mesothelioma diagnosis in 1996, she underwent major surgery and lived for nearly 30 years until she passed away in 2025.

Connect with a nurse now for help finding doctors who can provide the medical advice needed to increase your chances of becoming a mesothelioma survivor.

Can you live a normal life with mesothelioma?

Yes, it’s possible to live a normal life with mesothelioma if treatment sends your cancer into remission (where signs and symptoms lessen or disappear).

Stage 4 mesothelioma survivor John Stahl says he’s “pretty well back to normal” thanks to chemotherapy treatments.

He’s returned to daily activities like golfing, riding on all-terrain vehicles, and spending time with his wife — showing that mesothelioma recovery is possible.

Has anyone ever been cured of mesothelioma?

There is no cure for mesothelioma at this time. However, some mesothelioma patients have lived for decades with this cancer through treatments that sent it into remission or stopped it from growing.

Call (877) 446-5767 for help finding mesothelioma treatments that could allow you to become a long-term survivor.

Why is mesothelioma incurable?

Mesothelioma is incurable as there’s no universal cure for any type of cancer at this time. This cancer is also very aggressive.

However, it’s not impossible to survive mesothelioma. Treatments may send the cancer into remission, which can greatly increase survival time. Some patients have even lived for many years without achieving remission thanks to different therapies.