Mesothelioma Latency Period
Page Medically Reviewed and Edited by Anne Courtney, AOCNP, DNP This page has been fact-checked by a Doctor of nursing practice specializing in Oncology and has experience working with mesothelioma patients.
Sources of information are listed at the bottom of the article. We make every attempt to keep our information accurate and up-to-date.
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The mesothelioma latency period, the time between asbestos exposure and symptoms that lead to a diagnosis, is long compared to other cancers. It may take several decades for mesothelioma to show signs, which means many people get diagnosed at a later stage of cancer.
Illness and Latency Period
A latency period is not unique to mesothelioma. Any illness with an identifiable has a latency period, which may be days to years. Latency is the time between exposure to the cause of an illness and the diagnosis.
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Latency does not mean the illness is not developing. In many cases, the disease progresses during this period. The person may still be exposed to the trigger during this period.
This is true of mesothelioma. The cancer develops during the latency period, yet shows few symptoms for years.
Mesothelioma’s Latency Period
The latency period for mesothelioma is between twenty and fifty years. This is long compared to many diseases, including other types of cancer. In one study, the latency periods in a group of people with mesothelioma ranged from fourteen years to seventy-two years.[1]
This proves just how much diversity there is. In this same study, the mean latency was nearly forty-nine years. This means a longer latency is more common. Other studies have found similar results.
The Emergence of Symptoms
Symptoms of mesothelioma often don’t become apparent until later in life. Someone may have experienced earlier symptoms, but they may not have been severe enough to warrant a visit to the doctor.
The patient or a doctor may also mistake these early symptoms for signs of more common illnesses. Typical symptoms of mesothelioma include:
- Persistent cough
- Difficulty breathing
- Chest pain
- Lumps under the skin of the chest
Once these become severe, a doctor visit may result in tests for cancer and a mesothelioma diagnosis.
What Factors Affect Latency?
The latency period of mesothelioma varies among individuals due to several factors. One study examined the mean latency period categorized by occupation. Occupations listed from lowest to highest latency periods were:[1]
- Insulators
- Dock workers
- Mixed occupations
- Shipyard workers
- Other people with maritime careers
Career impacts latency because it affects how extensively a person was exposed to asbestos.
The dose-response, or extent of exposure, is another important factor affecting latency. The higher the level of exposure, the shorter the latency period is likely to be. This can be true even if the overall duration of exposure is low.
For example, workers at the World Trade Center in 2001 suffered exposure to large amounts of asbestos over a short period. This resulted in some people developing mesothelioma more quickly than usual.
Sex and age also affect the latency period for mesothelioma. The latency period for women is longer.[2] This may be related to primary and secondary exposure.
Most men with mesothelioma were exposed on the job. In contrast, most women were exposed through secondhand exposure, inhaling fibers their husbands or fathers brought home on their clothing and shoes.
Age can also impact latency. The older someone is at the time of initial asbestos exposure, the shorter the latency period. This is probably due to immune system function. Typically, younger people have stronger immune systems and may hold off the negative impact of asbestos fibers longer than older people.
The Latency Period and Prognosis
The prognosis for many people diagnosed with mesothelioma is usually poor. This is partly due to the unusually long latency period of the disease.
Most people do not receive a diagnosis until decades after their asbestos exposure. In the meantime, mesothelioma develops and spreads. By the time a doctor makes a diagnosis, it is often well advanced and challenging to treat. If people exposed to asbestos were diagnosed earlier, they would likely have more favorable prognoses.
The latency period is an essential factor in any disease, but it is a significant reason few people survive mesothelioma. One study recently found the latency period for mesothelioma was actually increasing. This means even fewer people have a chance of catching mesothelioma early and receiving a good prognosis.
Researchers are working on early detection methods, but it remains a struggle. If you know you have been exposed to asbestos, take proactive steps. These people should know the risks, know the symptoms, and talk to their doctors about early cancer screenings.
The long latency period puts people at high risk of dying from mesothelioma. However, it can be counteracted with vigilance and good medical care.
Page Medically Reviewed and Edited by Anne Courtney, AOCNP, DNP
Anne Courtney has a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree and is an Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse Practitioner. She has years of oncology experience working with patients with malignant mesothelioma, as well as other types of cancer. Dr. Courtney currently works at University of Texas LIVESTRONG Cancer Institutes.