Can You Survive Mesothelioma Cancer?
The life expectancy of a person with mesothelioma depends on the type and stage of cancer, the treatment options for mesothelioma as well as other factors. Some patients can improve their chances of survival, and even beat mesothelioma.
Doctors determine a patient's mesothelioma survival rate by taking a sample of their tumor for a biopsy. There are three main types of mesothelioma which are epithelioid, biphasic and sarcomatoid.
Age
The older you become the more likely you are to be at chance of developing mesothelioma. This is because the majority of people diagnosed with mesothelioma have a age of 60, with males between the ages of 50 and 70 outnumbering women by 3 to 1. According to CDC statistics between 1999 and 2015, more than 54,900 Americans have died from mesothelioma. Malignant mesothelioma is triggered by the inhalation of asbestos fibers. These fibers irritate the pleura, the lining that lines the lungs. This irritation could lead to the growth of cancerous cells, which can then spread to other parts of the body.
It can take as long as 50 years for symptoms of mesothelioma. This is because the early symptoms are not severe and mimic those of other diseases, such as the flu or pneumonia. As the cancer grows, it can lead to an accumulation of fluid in the lungs, causing breathing problems and breathlessness. It can also spread to the lymph nodes and to the chest wall, diaphragm, the pericardium and pericardium.
Epithelioid and sarcomatoid mesothelioma are the two major mesothelioma forms. asbestos related cancer mesothelioma is more frequent, and is the most responsive to treatment. Sarcomatoid is less responsive to treatments and more likely to develop recurrence. People who have a mixture of both types are diagnosed as biphasic.
Your doctor will classify your mesothelioma based on its appearance, the progression and the location within the mesothelium. These classifications are used to determine the type and extent of your treatment, which can increase your chances of survival.
If you've been diagnosed with mesothelioma it can be difficult to know how your prognosis will be affected by these factors. A lot of the information available is statistical, which can be confusing and overwhelming. It is important to keep in mind that every person's diagnosis will be different for each person. You can ask your doctor questions regarding the statistics that you've read on the internet. They can explain what the numbers mean in your particular situation. They may be able suggest resources to help you get the help you require.
Gender
The gender of the mesothelioma patients may affect their chances of survival. In general, men have lower mesothelioma rates than women. Many factors are responsible for this. For example, women visit doctors more frequently than men for regular health checks, which could help detect mesothelioma earlier. This could result in an easier time getting mesothelioma diagnoses and more aggressive treatment, increasing the likelihood of living to.
Additionally, women tend to have better overall health than men. This may make women a better candidate for more invasive procedures such as pleurectomy or decortication (EPP) or more minimally invasive surgical procedures such as percutaneous pleural biopsy or extrapleural pneumonectomy (P/D). Both of these surgeries can treat mesothelioma and increase the life expectancy. Palliative treatment is an alternative option for mesothelioma patients who do not qualify to undergo an intervention that cures mesothelioma. This can help reduce symptoms and improves quality of life.
All mesothelioma patients have the risk of being misdiagnosed however this is particularly relevant for women. Many doctors do not consider mesothelioma an indication for women due to the fact that it is more prevalent among males. The symptoms of mesothelioma can be very similar to the symptoms of other illnesses. For instance, pleural mesothelioma patients typically experience a persistent cough, difficulty breathing and chest pains. These symptoms are often mistaken for bronchitis or pneumonia. The symptoms of peritoneal Msothelioma can also be confused with other ailments like irritable bowel syndrome menstrual issues, food allergies, and intolerances.
The type of mesothelioma cells can affect survival rates as well. According to one study, women diagnosed with epithelioid mesothelioma had a much higher rate of survival than those suffering from sarcomatoid biphasic mesothelioma. This is due to epithelioid mesothelioma cells are much more responsive to treatment.
Other factors that can affect the survival rate of a mesothelioma patient include the kind of asbestos they were exposed to, their age, and general health. A mesothelioma specialist can explain how each of these factors affects the likelihood of survival for a patient. A mesothelioma patient will know what to expect from their prognosis.
Type of mesothelioma
Cancerous mesothelioma can affect the linings in all organs. The signs of the disease are similar to those of many other diseases. They can also be misdiagnosed, which can delay treatment and allow mesothelioma cells to expand. Getting an accurate mesothelioma diagnosis requires a physical exam and multiple tests. Imaging tests (X-rays or CT scans) and biopsy are among the tests. The doctor examines the tissue under a microscope and removes a small amount of mesothelioma to confirm the diagnosis.
In general, people who are diagnosed with mesothelioma in an early stage or with the peritoneal variant of mesothelioma are more likely to live than those diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma. Furthermore, the location of the tumor or whether it has been able to spread, can impact the life duration. It might be difficult to remove cancerous cells from the tumor due to its location. In these situations, doctors must try to fight the cancer with other methods, like chemotherapy and radiation.
Often, the most successful treatment plans are those that include surgery in conjunction with other treatments. Surgery such as EPP, HIPEC or P/D can keep mesothelioma under control for a number of months or even years. Following the initial treatment for mesothelioma patients may undergo maintenance therapies to prevent recurrence.
The health and age of a patient at the time of diagnosis also can impact survival rates. Patients who are younger are more likely to survive since they are able to participate in clinical studies and receive most recent treatments. In addition they are less likely to suffer from other chronic medical problems that can interfere with mesothelioma treatment.
The type of mesothelioma and its stage are the primary elements in determining how long the patient will be able to live. However, a patient's outlook could improve if they have the most suitable support system, remain positive and surround themselves with knowledgeable advocates. Patients with mesothelioma must learn as much as they can about the disease and locate an expert in mesothelioma to assist them with their treatment plan. Contact our experienced mesothelioma attorneys to learn more about the best way to proceed for you or a loved one has been diagnosed with the disease.
Treatment
The mesothelioma survival rate will vary based on a variety of variables. This includes the stage of the cancer, the age of the patient and general health. People who are diagnosed earlier tend to have better outcomes. People who have a less hazardous subtype of mesothelioma tend to live longer than those with an easier to treat. Doctors can also look at the type asbestos patients have been exposed to in order to determine the prognosis of a patient.
Asbestos is a natural mineral that is used in a variety of industries. It was banned in 1999 due to its hazardous and toxic properties. Those who have been exposed to the substance have the highest chance of developing mesothelioma.
Malignant mesothelioma typically occurs in the peritoneum or pleura, or the lung. It is sometimes difficult to identify because the symptoms are similar to other diseases like pneumonia or the flu. The life expectancy for patients following a diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma ranges between 18 and 31 months.
Specialists in mesothelioma are able to provide treatment plans that are customized to the individual's specific diagnosis. This could include surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. These treatments can be combined to improve the chances of a patient's longevity.
In some cases, mesothelioma has progressed to the point where it is not surgically removable. The aim of treatment for patients with this condition is to manage symptoms and prolong their lives as much as possible. Palliative care is the term used to describe this kind of treatment. Sedatives and strong painkillers are able to help with symptoms such as chest discomfort, difficulty breathing and fatigue. Additionally, the buildup of fluids in the lungs could be treated by having it cleared several times a week.
Participating in a study which tests a mesothelioma-specific treatment can improve a patient's outlook. This is because these trials are designed to identify the most effective treatments for patients.
It is crucial to realize that mesothelioma survival statistics only give an estimate of the likelihood one is to be afflicted with their cancer. These numbers are based on groups of people with similar cases. This is the reason it's important to receive a correct mesothelioma diagnosis.