"How long do I have to live?" This is the first question doctors often hear when they deliver a diagnosis of mesothelioma, and it is also the hardest question to answer. Research scientists and doctors have been working to improve the life expectancy for mesothelioma patients for decades. While there is no definitive cure for mesothelioma, patients can elect to undergo specialized treatment or participate in clinical trials that often help prolong their life expectancy and improve their overall quality of life.
In an effort to help patients understand and improve their life expectancy, The Mesothelioma Center offers a complimentary packet that contains treatment information tailored to your specific diagnosis. The packet also covers the nation's top mesothelioma doctors and cancer centers, as well as financial assistance options to help cover medical costs.
Life Expectancy Factors
The life expectancy of a mesothelioma patient can be influenced by a number of factors, including stage of the cancer, type of mesothelioma, age at diagnosis, latency period of symptoms, and other prognostic indicators.
Mesothelioma is identified by where it attacks the body, and the location plays a role in survival.
Pleural mesothelioma attacks the lining of the lungs and makes up about 75 percent of mesothelioma cases. Its commonness makes for a longer life expectancy. Peritoneal mesothelioma occurs in the lining of the abdomen and is responsible for 20 to 25 percent of mesothelioma cases. Pericardial mesothelioma occurs in the lining of the heart. It accounts for only about 5 percent of the cases and is extremely difficult for doctors to treat and for patients to survive long.
Doctors have had some success treating mesothelioma, and there are actions someone can take to increase life expectancy. The earlier the disease is spotted, the better the chance of a successful treatment. A few (mostly younger) patients have survived five years or longer because of their treatment and exercise regimens.
Mesothelioma is also classified by cell type, and that type impacts average survival periods. Patients with an epithelioid type mesothelioma generally have a better life expectancy than those with a sarcomatoid or biphasic (mixed) subtype.
Prolonging Life Expectancy
The efficacy of treatment should not be ignored when considering impacts on life expectancy. Treatment is improving with research and new medical advancements, and this is having a positive influence on the five-year survival rate. The graph below represents the percent of patients reaching five-year survival according to their age at diagnosis:
In an effort to help patients understand and improve their life expectancy, The Mesothelioma Center offers a complimentary packet that contains treatment information tailored to your specific diagnosis. The packet also covers the nation's top mesothelioma doctors and cancer centers, as well as financial assistance options to help cover medical costs.
Life Expectancy Factors
The life expectancy of a mesothelioma patient can be influenced by a number of factors, including stage of the cancer, type of mesothelioma, age at diagnosis, latency period of symptoms, and other prognostic indicators.
Mesothelioma is identified by where it attacks the body, and the location plays a role in survival.
Pleural mesothelioma attacks the lining of the lungs and makes up about 75 percent of mesothelioma cases. Its commonness makes for a longer life expectancy. Peritoneal mesothelioma occurs in the lining of the abdomen and is responsible for 20 to 25 percent of mesothelioma cases. Pericardial mesothelioma occurs in the lining of the heart. It accounts for only about 5 percent of the cases and is extremely difficult for doctors to treat and for patients to survive long.
Doctors have had some success treating mesothelioma, and there are actions someone can take to increase life expectancy. The earlier the disease is spotted, the better the chance of a successful treatment. A few (mostly younger) patients have survived five years or longer because of their treatment and exercise regimens.
Mesothelioma is also classified by cell type, and that type impacts average survival periods. Patients with an epithelioid type mesothelioma generally have a better life expectancy than those with a sarcomatoid or biphasic (mixed) subtype.
Prolonging Life Expectancy
The efficacy of treatment should not be ignored when considering impacts on life expectancy. Treatment is improving with research and new medical advancements, and this is having a positive influence on the five-year survival rate. The graph below represents the percent of patients reaching five-year survival according to their age at diagnosis:
Staging
The exact stage of the cancer upon diagnosis has a direct impact on life expectancy. The primary factors that help define the stage of mesothelioma include symptoms and metastasis (spreading of the cancer).
The exact stage of the cancer upon diagnosis has a direct impact on life expectancy. The primary factors that help define the stage of mesothelioma include symptoms and metastasis (spreading of the cancer).
Mesothelioma Diagnosis
Doctors use a handful of common techniques to render a diagnosis: physical examinations, biopsies, blood tests, X-rays and imaging scans. They also take a medical history, including any history of smoking. In the case of mesothelioma, they will want to know about any history of asbestos exposure.
A person should get a diagnosis from a specialist within three to six months of first seeing the doctor.
Histology.
The histological subtype is one of the most important prognosis factors for malignant mesothelioma. Patients with epithelioid mesothelioma have a much better life expectancy than those with a sarcomatoid or biphasic (mixed) subtype.
Doctors use a handful of common techniques to render a diagnosis: physical examinations, biopsies, blood tests, X-rays and imaging scans. They also take a medical history, including any history of smoking. In the case of mesothelioma, they will want to know about any history of asbestos exposure.
A person should get a diagnosis from a specialist within three to six months of first seeing the doctor.
Histology.
The histological subtype is one of the most important prognosis factors for malignant mesothelioma. Patients with epithelioid mesothelioma have a much better life expectancy than those with a sarcomatoid or biphasic (mixed) subtype.
Epithelial → Sarcomatoid → Biphasic
Latency Period
The severe latency period associated with the onset of symptoms may result in a late diagnosis. When referencing mesothelioma, latency period is defined as the period of time between exposure to asbestos and the moment the cancer become noticeable. Mesothelioma patients diagnosed in the later stages of development will often receive treatment to ease pain and discomfort rather than try to cure the disease.
The severe latency period associated with the onset of symptoms may result in a late diagnosis. When referencing mesothelioma, latency period is defined as the period of time between exposure to asbestos and the moment the cancer become noticeable. Mesothelioma patients diagnosed in the later stages of development will often receive treatment to ease pain and discomfort rather than try to cure the disease.
Other Factors
A mesothelioma patient's life expectancy may also be affected by demographic and lifestyle factors, such as:
A mesothelioma patient's life expectancy may also be affected by demographic and lifestyle factors, such as:
Treatment Factors
There are a number of options for patients to relieve symptoms and prolong their asbestos cancer life expectancy. Patients can elect to undergo treatment to remove the cancer, kill cancerous cells, reduce pain or manage metastasis. Some treatments that may improve life expectancy include:
There are a number of options for patients to relieve symptoms and prolong their asbestos cancer life expectancy. Patients can elect to undergo treatment to remove the cancer, kill cancerous cells, reduce pain or manage metastasis. Some treatments that may improve life expectancy include:
Traditional Treatment:
Surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy are the three forms of traditional treatment currently available to extend life expectancy. Tests to diagnose mesothelioma in its earliest stage of development are also being explored to enhance the effectiveness of current traditional treatments.
Surgery → Chemotherapy→ Radiation Therapy
Non-Traditional Treatment:
Therapies such as immunotherapy, gene therapy, photodynamic therapy and hormonal therapy are a class of experimental treatments. These therapies have improved life expectancy in some patients, but are only available through clinical trials since they are still in an experimental stage of medical testing.
Surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy are the three forms of traditional treatment currently available to extend life expectancy. Tests to diagnose mesothelioma in its earliest stage of development are also being explored to enhance the effectiveness of current traditional treatments.
Surgery → Chemotherapy→ Radiation Therapy
Non-Traditional Treatment:
Therapies such as immunotherapy, gene therapy, photodynamic therapy and hormonal therapy are a class of experimental treatments. These therapies have improved life expectancy in some patients, but are only available through clinical trials since they are still in an experimental stage of medical testing.
Alternative Treatment:
A selection of mesothelioma patients have benefitted from alternative or complimentary therapies such as acupuncture, meditation, massage and yoga. These alternative therapies may reduce stress, pain and improve quality of life.
A selection of mesothelioma patients have benefitted from alternative or complimentary therapies such as acupuncture, meditation, massage and yoga. These alternative therapies may reduce stress, pain and improve quality of life.
Clinical Trials
Mesothelioma researchers are testing new medications and treatment approaches through clinical trials with the hope of improving life expectancy. Clinical trials allow patients to take advantage of new treatments that may extend survival, but may also come with an element of risk.
Completed → Get Help Enrolling → Non-recruiting
Mesothelioma researchers are testing new medications and treatment approaches through clinical trials with the hope of improving life expectancy. Clinical trials allow patients to take advantage of new treatments that may extend survival, but may also come with an element of risk.
Completed → Get Help Enrolling → Non-recruiting
Nutrition
A number of dietary changes can affect an asbestos cancer patient’s life expectancy. Considering nutrition in the treatment plan could have positive impacts on pain, stress levels and response to treatment. The Mesothelioma Center offers a complimentary nutrition book to mesothelioma patients looking to learn more about diet and cancer.
Patients who are searching for a second opinion or an experienced mesothelioma doctor can contact the Doctor Match department at the Mesothelioma Center to learn more about their options depending upon their unique diagnosis and location. To take advantage of this complimentary service, please call the Doctor Match department at (800) 549-0544.
Sources:
A number of dietary changes can affect an asbestos cancer patient’s life expectancy. Considering nutrition in the treatment plan could have positive impacts on pain, stress levels and response to treatment. The Mesothelioma Center offers a complimentary nutrition book to mesothelioma patients looking to learn more about diet and cancer.
Patients who are searching for a second opinion or an experienced mesothelioma doctor can contact the Doctor Match department at the Mesothelioma Center to learn more about their options depending upon their unique diagnosis and location. To take advantage of this complimentary service, please call the Doctor Match department at (800) 549-0544.
Sources:
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