Patient Resources

Patient Resources

Guides, tools, and information to help mesothelioma patients and families navigate diagnosis, treatment, and support options.

Quick Access

Newly Diagnosed Guide

Essential first steps after a mesothelioma diagnosis. What to do, who to contact, and how to prepare.

Caregiver Guide

Practical tips for managing symptoms, appointments, and your own well-being as a caregiver.

Find a Specialist

Locate mesothelioma specialists and NCI-designated cancer centers near you.

Stories & Profiles

Inspiring stories of survivors, pioneering researchers, and the history of asbestos disease.

Treatment Options

Overview of surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and clinical trials.

Legal & Compensation

Information about trust funds, lawsuits, VA benefits, and financial assistance.

Mesothelioma Awareness Day

September 26 is dedicated to honoring those affected by mesothelioma and advancing global asbestos bans.

Patient Guides

What is Mesothelioma?

Comprehensive overview of mesothelioma types, causes, and prognosis.

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Pleural Mesothelioma

The most common type, affecting the lung lining. Symptoms, staging, and treatment.

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Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Abdominal mesothelioma with better survival rates through HIPEC treatment.

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Staging & Diagnosis

How mesothelioma is staged and why early detection matters.

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Veterans & Mesothelioma

1 in 3 mesothelioma patients are veterans. VA benefits and resources.

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External Resources

Trusted government and medical organization resources for additional information.

National Cancer Institute

Government cancer research and treatment information

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ClinicalTrials.gov

Search for mesothelioma clinical trials

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VA Asbestos Exposure

Veterans Affairs information on asbestos claims

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SEER Cancer Statistics

Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results data

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Resources Q&A

Frequently Asked Questions

What actor died of mesothelioma?

Several actors died from mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure, including Steve McQueen (1930-1980), diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma in 1978 after possible exposure from military service and movie sets, dying at age 50. Paul Gleason (1939-2006), known for *The Breakfast Club*, developed pleural mesothelioma from teenage construction work and died three weeks after diagnosis at age 67. Ed Lauter (1938-2013), a character actor in over 200 films, was diagnosed in 2013, possibly from home renovations, and died months later at age 74.

What is the longest living person with mesothelioma?

Sissy Hoffman holds the record for the longest documented mesothelioma survival at 29 years with pleural mesothelioma. She was diagnosed in 1995 in her mid-40s after receiving an initial prognosis of 6 months to live, and passed away on January 25, 2025, at age 73 due to medical complications unrelated to cancer. Paul Kraus, who previously held the record, survived 27 years with peritoneal mesothelioma after his 1997 diagnosis before passing away in July 2025. Other notable long-term survivors include Heather Von St. James, who reached a 20-year survival milestone in November 2025 after her 2005 pleural mesothelioma diagnosis. These cases demonstrate that while the median mesothelioma survival is 1-2 years, extended survival can occur and appears linked to factors including treatment type, individual health response, and lifestyle choices.

How long does the average person live with mesothelioma?

Across large studies, people with mesothelioma live an average of about 12 to 21 months after diagnosis when they receive treatment, although outcomes vary widely by cancer stage, cell type, overall health, and treatment access ,. Without treatment, reported averages are shorter, often around 4 to 12 months ,. Pleural mesothelioma (the most common type) generally has a median survival near 1 year overall, while peritoneal mesothelioma treated with cytoreductive surgery and heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) shows median survivals around 3 to 5 years, with roughly 50% of people alive at 5 years in some series ,. Testicular mesothelioma, which is rare, has reported average survivals of about 4 years in small case series. These figures describe population averages from cancer registries and clinical studies and do not predict how long any individual person will live. **Sources:** American Cancer Society , Cancer Research UK , peer‑reviewed studies summarized in NCI and NIH‑linked literature –.

What foods should you avoid with mesothelioma?

People with mesothelioma are often advised to avoid raw or undercooked meat, eggs, seafood, unpasteurized dairy, and unwashed produce because treatment can raise the risk of foodborne illness. Commonly limited foods also include alcohol, fried foods, highly processed foods, and red or processed meats, since these can worsen nausea, mouth sores, or digestion issues during treatment. Acidic, spicy, sour, or strongly scented foods may also be harder to tolerate when people with mesothelioma have mouth sores or nausea. Evidence on specific food choices is mostly about symptom management and food safety, not about curing mesothelioma.