Yes, it is possible to live 20 years with fibrosis, although survival times can vary significantly.
Fibrosis refers to the thickening or scarring of tissue. The prognosis for someone with fibrosis depends on several factors, including:
- The specific organ affected: Fibrosis can occur in various organs, such as the lungs, liver, heart, and kidneys.
- The underlying cause of the fibrosis: The reason behind the fibrosis impacts how quickly it progresses.
- The severity of the fibrosis: The extent of scarring influences the organ's function.
- Individual factors: Overall health, age, and response to treatment all play a role.
While "average survival is between three to five years," this number is an average, according to the reference provided from 07-Jun-2024. This means some patients live less than three years, while others live much longer. Living 20 years with fibrosis is possible, although not the typical outcome indicated by average survival statistics. Individual experiences can vary widely.