Mesothelioma Treatment and Prognosis
The prognosis of mesothelioma patients is dependent on a variety of factors, including the stage of cancer and type. Patients with mesothelioma diagnosed earlier will have better treatment options.
Patients who undergo pleurectomy and/or decortication surgery have a better chance of surviving. Mesothelioma experts can help patients explore their treatment options, including clinical trials.
Early Detected
In general, the sooner a person is diagnosed with mesothelioma, the better the chance of surviving. Even with the most effective treatment, some people will not survive being diagnosed with mesothelioma. A significant amount of research is focused on discovering ways to detect the disease earlier stage. The Mesomark test, which examines the biomarker released into bloodstream by mesothelioma cancer cells is an exciting test. This biomarker is able to remain elevated for years prior to the onset of symptoms. This allows for the detection of the disease in its early stages.
When a mesothelioma is discovered the patient's prognosis will be influenced by their symptoms, the mesothelioma type and the location of the cancer. Patients who have mesothelioma of the pericardial or pleural region have a better outlook than those with sarcomatoid or mesothelioma pericardial.
Other factors that could affect mesothelioma prognosis are the stage of cancer at diagnosis and the patient's age and gender. Generally, women have a better mesothelioma prognosis than men. People who are younger, healthy and diagnosed with mesothelioma are more likely to survive.
A person's mesothelioma prognosis will also be influenced by the surgery they receive. For example, patients who undergo a pleurectomy/decortication surgery have the best prognosis as it removes most, if not all, visible tumors in their lungs. Patients who undergo extrapleural pneumonectomy (which involves the removal of a small portion of the lung) do not have the same good chances of survival.
There are several things that can be done to improve the mesothelioma diagnosis, for example, seeking a second opinion from a mesothelioma expert, and enrolling in new clinical trials. In addition, following a physician's orders regarding exercise, diet and body stress reduction techniques can help patients remain healthy. Some mesothelioma patients have overcame their initial diagnosis and have achieved remission, which means that they are not showing any signs of active mesothelioma.
Surgery
Mesothelioma prognosis is based on various factors, including cancer stage, type of cell and other factors that are within the patient's control. A positive response to treatment can prolong the survival time beyond the initial prognosis. For example certain patients suffering from mesothelioma stage 1 have remission or complete tumor disappearance, while those diagnosed at stage 4 have a less favorable outlook.
The stage of mesothelioma for a patient may affect their prognosis. This is because the sooner the doctor treats the cancer, the better. The location of the cancer can also make a difference. Pleural mesothelioma attacks the lining around organs in the chest, whereas peritoneal mesothelioma affects the lining of the abdomen and digestive system. In general, those with the more common mesothelioma of the pleural have a better survival rate than those who have peritoneal cancer.
When treating pleural mesothelioma doctors may use surgery to remove cancerous tissue, or to alleviate symptoms such as breathing problems and chest pressure. They may also suggest treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation which kill cancerous cells or slow their growth. Pemetrexed is an effective chemotherapy drug used to treat pleural fibrosis.
Other factors that affect mesothelioma prognosis include the types of cancer cells as well as age and gender. In general, those with epithelioid cells have a better outlook than those suffering from sarcomatoid or biphasic mesothelioma. Women are more likely to live longer than men, and younger patients have a higher chance of being successful for mesothelioma. However the reasons for this are still unclear. The mesothelioma experts at a mesothelioma clinic can look over the various treatment options available and decide which one is suitable for the patient. They can also discuss the clinical trials that provide experimental therapies which might improve the chances of survival. Recent studies have shown that immunotherapy can be beneficial.
Chemotherapy
A mesothelioma prognosis is based on the average survival rate of other patients, however each case is unique. By following the advice of their doctors, mesothelioma patients can improve their chances of survival. They are also able to participate in clinical trials on mesothelioma which have improved survival rates.
A second opinion is essential. When Alexis Kidd did this, she discovered that her mesothelioma wasn't as advanced as doctors initially believed. She was able to treat her disease and improve her outlook prior to it got any worse.
Type, location and stage of cancer cells are all factors that can affect a person's prognosis for mesothelioma. Malignant mesothelioma is divided into three types: epithelial sarcomatoid and biphasic or mixed. Each cell type has its own survival rate. Patients diagnosed with epithelial mesothelioma typically have a better prognosis than those diagnosed with mixed or sarcomatoid mesothelioma.
A large number of cases of mesothelioma are not diagnosed until the disease has reached the end of its course. Mesothelioma can mimic common illnesses like colds, flu and stomach viruses. Making an early diagnosis is essential for the best mesothelioma prognosis.
Mesothelioma treatment options have grown more diverse in the last decade. Numerous studies have demonstrated that immunotherapy can improve mesothelioma survival rates. It is critical for victims to locate a mesothelioma specialist and have access to the most cutting-edge treatments available.
In addition to chemotherapy and surgery, patients can increase their mesothelioma survival rate by making healthy lifestyle choices. Patients who exercise regularly and eat well tend to have a healthier immune system. This helps them fight the effects of mesothelioma treatment and stay healthy during the recovery process.
Radiation
The prognosis for mesothelioma is determined by the type and location of the cancer. The prognosis is better for epithelioid tumors, as they are less difficult to treat. Those who have sarcomatoid mesothelioma, which tends to grow rapidly and is more difficult to treat, do worse.
Other factors that influence mesothelioma prognosis are age and overall health status. Patients who are younger tend to be healthier and are more able to endure chemotherapy and surgery. They are also more likely to recognize symptoms and react earlier and receive a diagnosis of mesothelioma earlier. Women are also more likely to respond well to treatment and have a positive mesothelioma prognosis than men.
Treatment for mesothelioma can assist with lung problems such as breathing difficulties or chest pressure caused by fluid buildup. Doctors may order chest X-rays to look for changes in the lung. They can also make use of MRI, CT scan or positron emission tomography (PET) to determine where the mesothelioma is located and how far it has spread. They can also analyze blood samples to assess the levels associated with mesothelioma.
Surgical options for pleural mesothelioma include extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) and pleurectomy with decortication (P/D). Both surgeries remove the affected lung as well as the lung's lining as well as the diaphragm. They can also insert an intra-cardiac tube to remove the fluid. They might also prescribe drugs that destroy cancerous cells or slow their growth like carboplatin or pemetrexed.
Immunotherapy is a promising new treatment that is rapidly improving the outlook for patients suffering from mesothelioma. It does this because it targets the receptors of cancer cells and makes them more responsive to medications.
Palliative Care
Patients who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma should never simply accept the doctor's estimate of how long they'll have to live. Instead, they should seek a second opinion from a specialist who may provide more hope due to the different stage of mesothelioma or a new treatment option.
The location and type of mesothelioma also affects the chance of survival. The most prevalent mesothelioma type is a cancer of the linings of lungs, while peritoneal msothelioma is a less common form that affects the abdominal lining. Pleural mesothelioma is a better outlook than peritoneal mesothelioma as it is less difficult to remove during surgery. However, patients with the more aggressive sarcomatoid cells type or biphasic mesothelioma typically have a less favorable prognosis than epithelial mesothelioma patients.
Additionally the general health of a person and age also plays a role. Patients who are younger have a better chance of surviving mesothelioma because they tend to recognize symptoms earlier and receive a diagnosis sooner. They are also more likely to be candidates for surgery. Contrary to this, patients who are older are more likely to suffer complications resulting from chemotherapy or radiation treatments and a worse prognosis for mesothelioma.
Ultimately, there is no cure for mesothelioma. However, treatments can prolong life span and improve quality of life for patients. They can reduce symptoms such as nausea and pain, allowing patients to focus on their lives.
New treatment approaches continue improving the mesothelioma prognosis. Many mesothelioma patients are living longer than their original prognosis. Some patients have even reached Remission, wherein the tumors shrink and disappear completely. This is a good thing because it indicates that the quality of treatment mesothelioma life is not affected by their prognosis.