This rare form of cancer affects the mesothelium, a protective sac covering most the body's internal organs. There are two types of mesothelioma: pleural and peritoneal. For both of these types the mesothelioma cancer prognosis, treatment and therapy are very similar. Even so, the patient should see a doctor for a mesothelioma cancer prognosis before starting any kind of treatment.
Prognosis of Mesothelioma Cancer
Mesothelioma cancer prognosis is poor, in general, but there have been cases of people known to have survived close to ten years after the diagnosis. This means that mesothelioma cancer prognosis and survival is based on the individual’s capacity to deal with the disease. Mesothelioma patients may be using alternative treatment methods, or they may respond better to conventional treatment, such as chemotherapy, than others. It is also known that patients using alternative methods of treating mesothelioma cancer have a slight chance of actually being cured. Mesothelioma cancer prognosis and statistics say that one out of 4500-6000 patients, when tested for mesothelioma cancer, turn out negative after such treatments.
Mesothelioma cancer prognosis is also based on how much the malignant tissue has spread in the patients lungs. This study of the malignant cells also helps diagnose mesothelioma cancer.
Symptoms of Mesothelioma Cancer
Mesothelioma cancer prognosis is based on several of the following symptoms:
- shortness of breath
- chest pain
- weight loss
- abdominal pain (due to the build-up of fluid in the abdominal cavity)
Mesothelioma cancer symptoms, being very similar to those of other conditions, make it hard for a doctor to set a clear diagnose followed by a certain prognosis.
One of the main causes of the mesothelioma cancer is exposure to asbestos, a chemical which also tends to affect the lungs of a person. This is a cause of concern, because it's known that asbestos is being used in a wide variety of industrial products, such as cement, brake linings, roof shingles, flooring products, textiles, and insulation. The asbestos can be inhaled or swallowed, as small parts of it float in the air while processing it in the factories, and will cause a lot of health problems, including mesothelioma.
Prognosis of Mesothelioma Cancer Stages
Similar to other forms of cancer, mesothelioma cancer evolves in stages:
- 1st Stage: Mesothelioma Cancer only affects one part of the chest cavity.
- 2nd Stage: Mesothelioma Cancer affects the entire mesothelium
- 3rd Stage: Mesothelioma Cancer is still affecting only one part of the chest, but is already spread to the chest wall, esophagus and lymph nodes.
- 4th Stage: The final stage in mesothelioma cancer prognosis, in which it has already reached the bloodstream and can easily spread to other organs in the body, in what is known as metastasis. This stage of mesothelioma cancer is usually treated by chemotherapy.
If you think you might be suffering from mesothelioma cancer, if you are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, or if you just want to make sure that you are not positive to this form of cancer, feel free to contact asbestosis and mesothelioma centers, it is free of charge, and we will put you in contact with a professional that can help you get a mesothelioma cancer prognosis, providing you already suffer from the disease. You may also be entitled to mesothelioma compensation, so don't hesitate to contact us.