Approximately 2,000 to 3,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in the United States each year. Once a patient is diagnosed, a doctor will likely discuss their prognosis, or probable course of the cancer's influence on the body and recommend various treatment options. .The prognosis of a patient diagnosed with mesothelioma and the recommended treatments can vary greatly depending on the patient's age, sex, asbestos exposure history and the specific cells involved.
The best way to avoid a poor prognosis is through early detection of the cancer. When mesothelioma is detected early, the prognosis is generally more favorable, as the cancer may not have spread to other parts of the body and may be more receptive to various treatments and surgery. Following detection, the best way to improve a patient's prognosis is educating oneself about the latest mesothelioma treatments.
Those who have been exposed to asbestos may wish to alert their doctor, as this may aid in the early detection of mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease.
Pleural Mesothelioma 5-Year Survival Rate
Type of Mesothelioma: A patient's prognosis can be affected depending upon whether they are diagnosed with pleural, peritoneal, pericardial or testicular mesothelioma. Statistics show that approximately 10 percent of patients with pleural mesothelioma will survive for five years following diagnosis. Statistically speaking, pleural mesothelioma patients have the most optimistic prognosis.
Overall Health: Patients diagnosed with mesothelioma who are otherwise healthy may have an easier time undergoing intensive treatment, such as chemotherapy, than someone with pre-existing health issues. Additionally,non-smokers often have a better prognosis than patients who smoke.
Stage of Mesothelioma: Doctors typically discuss the severity of a patient's cancer in terms ofstages, ranging from stage I to stage IV. Patients with stage III or stage IV mesothelioma will typically have a poorer prognosis than patients with stage I or stage II mesothelioma.
For example, in a study published in the European Respiratory Journal involving 167 patients with pleural mesothelioma, participants with stage I pleural mesothelioma survived for 359 days, while those with stage III or stage IV (combined) mesothelioma survived approximately 112 days. In general, treatment options are typically more limited and surgery may not be an option once the cancer has progressed beyond stage II.
Stage I Mesothelioma Patients Averaged a 359-day Life Span Following Diagnosis
Stage III and IV Patients Averaged a 112-day Combined Life Span Following Diagnosis
Cell Type: Mesothelioma histology impacts a patient's prognosis, as those with epithelial mesothelioma have a greater life expectancy than those with sarcomatoid or biphasic mesothelioma.
Size and Location of the Tumor: The size and location of a patient's tumor can impact their prognosis. Patients with tumors that have progressed or spread to other parts of the body generally have a poorer prognosis. Patients with tumors that may be surgically removed often have a better prognosis.
Progression of Symptoms: Patients who are experiencing serious symptoms of mesothelioma, such as chest pain or shortness of breath, may have a weakened prognosis, because the prevalence of mesothelioma symptoms often indicates the cancer has progressed to a later stage of development.
source:http://www.asbestos.com
source:http://www.asbestos.com
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