Mesothelioma Life Expectancy
Mesothelioma affects over 2,000 people each year. Studies have shown that the average life expectancy for patients diagnosed with mesothelioma ranges between four and 18 months. This aggressive disease is caused by asbestos exposure and attacks the mesothelium, a protective tissue that covers the lungs, heart, and abdomen. Most people affected by this rare form of cancer show the first symptoms 30 to 50 years after the initial exposure to asbestos. For this reason mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose. The most common treatment options for mesothelioma patients include radiation, surgery, and chemotherapy.
Mesothelioma and Exposure to Asbestos
Asbestos is a durable material that has been used to manufacture goods for over 2000 years. Millions of people have died of asbestos cancer since the 1930s. This naturally occurring mineral was used by electricians, insulators, auto mechanics, steel workers, carpenters, plumbers, and industrial workers.
Stages of Mesothelioma
The extent of a patient's cancer is one of the main factors that affect life expectancy. Treatment options depend on the rate at which the cancer has spread through the body. Oncologists use CT scans, MRI scans, and X-rays to determine the stage of the cancer. In the first stage, mesothelioma attacks one side of the chest. In the next stage, it affects the chest wall, heart, or esophagus.
In the third stage, the cancer spreads to lymph nodes beyond those in the chest. It may also affect the lining of the abdominal cavity, causing peritoneal mesothelioma. In the last stage, it spreads through the bloodstream to the brain, liver, bones and other organs. Most specialists use the TNM system (Tumor, Nodes, Metastases) to determine the staging for pleural mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma Life Expectancy
Most people are diagnosed with this severe form of cancer in the last stages. Those who receive a mesothelioma diagnosis in the first stage of the disease can live up to five years. For those who are diagnosed in the second stage of the cancer, the average life expectancy ranges between two to four years. If mesothelioma is detected in the third stage, the patient is expected to live between six and eight months. The average life expectancy is less than six months for people diagnosed with mesothelioma in the final stage.
A patient's life expectancy depends on several factors, including the stage of the disease, the patient's age at diagnosis, the latency period, location and size of tumor, metastasis, and type of tissue affected. The patient's ability to respond to treatment may also influence his life expectancy. To diagnose mesothelioma and recommend the best treatment options, doctors usually order laboratory tests, physical examinations, imaging tests, pathology reports, or surgical diagnostics.
Getting Help
After being diagnosed with mesothelioma, most patients are overwhelmed by medical bills and other financial obligations. Individuals who are in this situation should know that a good mesothelioma lawyer can help them receive compensation and cover the costs of treatment. Contact us for more information on coping with mesothelioma.
The information provided by Mesothelioma-doctors.com is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.