Can You Survive Mesothelioma Cancer?
The life expectancy of someone diagnosed with mesothelioma varies based on the stage and type of cancer, the treatment options for mesothelioma as well as other factors. Certain patients may improve their chances of survival, and even beat mesothelioma.
A biopsy of the tumor is performed by doctors to determine a patient's survival rate for mesothelioma. There are three types of mesothelioma that include epithelioid, biphasic and sarcomatoid.
Age
The older you are the more likely you are for mesothelioma. This is because the majority of people diagnosed with mesothelioma are older than 60, with those in their 50s to 70s outnumbering women 3 to 1. According to CDC data from 1999 to 2015 More than 54,900 Americans suffered mesothelioma-related deaths. Malignant mesothelioma is caused by the inhalation of asbestos fibers. These fibers enter the lungs and can cause irritation to the lining of the lungs, called the pleura. This irritation can trigger the growth of cancerous cells, which can then spread to other parts of the body.
Symptoms of mesothelioma can take between 10 and 50 years to be evident. The initial symptoms of mesothelioma are mild and are often mistaken for other illnesses such as influenza or pneumonia. As the cancer progresses, fluid can accumulate in the lungs causing shortness of breath and pain. It may also spread to the lymph nodes, the pericardium, diaphragm, and chest wall.
Epithelioid and sarcomatoid are the two most common mesothelioma types. Epithelioid is more common, and it responds best to treatment. Sarcomatoid, on the other hand, is less responsive to treatments and is more likely to be recurrence-prone. Biphasic is the term used to describe those who have a mixture of both types.
The mesothelioma you have is classified by your doctors according to the appearance of the tumor, its size, how it has grown and its location within the mesothelium. These classifications are used to determine the nature and severity of your treatment, which can help improve your chances for survival.
If you've been diagnosed with mesothelioma it can be difficult to understand how your prognosis can be affected by these conditions. Many of the statistics available can be confusing and overwhelming. It is crucial to remember that every patient's outlook will be different for each person. Talk to your doctor about any questions you have about the general statistics you have read on the internet. They can explain what the numbers refer to in your specific situation. They could also suggest resources to help you get the help you require.
Gender
The gender of a mesothelioma patient may affect their chances of survival. Men typically have lower mesothelioma survival rates than women. This is due to a variety of factors. Women see doctors more frequently than men, which can help in detecting mesothelioma earlier. This can make it easier to diagnose mesothelioma and get more aggressive treatment.
Women tend to be in better overall health. This makes women a better candidate for more invasive procedures such as pleurectomy or decortication (EPP) or more minimally invasive surgical procedures like percutaneous pleural biopsy, or extrapleural pneumonectomy (P/D). Both surgeries can cure mesothelioma and extend the life expectancy. Palliative treatment is an alternative option for patients with mesothelioma who are not able to undergo a curative procedure. This helps to reduce symptoms and improves the quality of life.
All mesothelioma patients have the risk of being misdiagnosed, but this is especially relevant for women. Since mesothelioma is more prevalent among men, a lot of doctors do not consider it a possible diagnosis for women. Additionally, the symptoms of mesothelioma are similar to those of other diseases and conditions. Patients with mesothelioma who suffer from the disease often complain of chest pains, breathing problems, and a persistent cough. These symptoms are easily mistaken for pneumonia, bronchitis or the flu. The symptoms of peritoneal msothelioma can be confused with other conditions such as irritable bowel, menstrual issues as well as food allergies and intolerances.
Mesothelioma cells can also affect survival rates. According to a study, women diagnosed with epithelioid mesothelioma had a higher survival rate than those suffering from sarcomatoid biphasic mesothelioma. This is due to epithelioid-like mesothelioma cells are much more responsive to treatment.
Other factors that can affect a patient's survival rate include the type and amount of asbestos to which they were exposed along with their age and their general health. A mesothelioma specialist can explain how each of these factors can impact a patient's survival rate. Then, a mesothelioma victim can know what to expect from their prognosis.
Type of mesothelioma
Mesothelioma cancer can affect the linings of all organs. Symptoms of the disease are similar to those of other conditions and can be misdiagnosed. This can delay treatment and allow mesothelioma cells more time to expand. A physical exam is required to identify mesothelioma accurately. Different types of tests are also required. The most common tests are imaging tests (X-ray or CT scan) and the biopsy. The doctor examines the tumor under a microscope and removes a small amount of mesothelioma to confirm the diagnosis.
In general, those who have mesothelioma in the early stages and those with mesothelioma of the peritoneal type are more likely to live longer than those who are diagnosed with mesothelioma that is pleural. The area of the tumor or if it has spread can also impact the life expectancy. It is sometimes impossible to remove cancerous cells from the tumor due to the location of the tumor. In these cases doctors have to try to treat the cancer using other methods, like chemotherapy and radiation.
Most often, the most effective treatment plans are those that combine surgery with other treatments. Extensive surgeries such as EPP, P/D or cytoreduction using HIPEC can aid in keeping mesothelioma at bay for months or even years. After the initial mesothelioma treatments patients can undergo maintenance therapy to avoid recurrence of the cancer.
The age and health of the person at the time they are diagnosed can also affect survival rates. Younger patients generally have a better prognosis because they are healthier, which allows them to participate in clinical trials and receive the most sophisticated treatments available. In addition they are less likely to suffer from other medical issues that can interfere with mesothelioma treatment.
The type of mesothelioma and its stage are the most important factors in determining the length of time the patient will live. The outlook of a mesothelioma patient can be improved if they surround themselves with knowledgeable advocates, locate the right support group and remain optimistic. Mesothelioma patients need to learn about the disease, and find a mesothelioma expert to help with their treatment plan. If you or someone close to you has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, contact our mesothelioma lawyers who are experienced and knowledgeable to learn more about the best path to pursue.
Treatment
The survival rates for mesothelioma will vary based on a variety of variables. These include the stage of the cancer, the age of the patient and overall health. People diagnosed at a younger age are more likely to have better outcomes. mesothelioma vs lung cancer with a treatable mesothelioma type tend to have longer lives than those who have a more dangerous one. Doctors can also look at the type of asbestos the patient has 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 unsafe and toxic properties. Anyone who has been exposed to the substance have the highest chance of developing mesothelioma.
Malignant mesothelioma usually develops in the lungs, peritoneum, or pleura and is often difficult to identify because the symptoms may resemble those of other diseases like the flu or pneumonia. The average life expectancy after the diagnosis of mesothelioma ranges from 18 to 31 months.
Mesothelioma doctors are able to offer patients treatment plans adapted to their specific diagnosis. This could include surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. These treatments can be combined to enhance the odds of a patient's longevity.
In some cases, mesothelioma has grown to the point that it isn't surgically removable. For these patients, the goal of treatment is to control the symptoms and prolong the length of their lives as long as it is possible. This is called palliative care. Symptoms such as chest pain, difficulty breathing and fatigue can be cured with medications like sedatives and strong painkillers. Additionally, the buildup of fluids in the lungs can be addressed by having it drained frequently throughout the week.
Taking part in a clinical trial which examines a new mesothelioma treatment can also help improve the outlook of an individual. These trials are designed to find patients the best possible treatments.
It is important to recognize that mesothelioma survivorship rates are just an estimate of the likelihood that someone will develop cancer. These numbers are based on groups of people with similar cases. It is essential to obtain a correct diagnosis of mesothelioma.