Mesothelioma Treatment and Prognosis
The prognosis for mesothelioma is dependent on a variety of factors, including the cancer stage and type. Treatment options are more effective for patients with mesothelioma caught in an earlier stage.
Furthermore, patients who undergo pleurectomy or decortication surgery have a better prognosis. Mesothelioma specialists can assist patients evaluate their treatment options, which include clinical trials.
Early Detection
In general, the earlier a person is diagnosed with mesothelioma, the better the chance of surviving. However, even with the best treatment, some patients don't survive mesothelioma-related diagnosis. A lot of research is being focused on discovering ways to detect the disease at an earlier stage. The Mesomark test which measures the biomarker that is released into the bloodstream by mesothelioma cancer cells is a promising test. The biomarker could remain in high levels for years before symptoms appear, making it possible to detect mesothelioma earlier.
The prognosis of a person with mesothelioma will be affected by the patient's symptoms background, type of mesothelioma, and the location of the cancer. Patients who suffer from mesothelioma that is pleural or pericardial have a better outlook than those with sarcomatoid or pericardial mesothelioma.
Other factors that may influence the prognosis for mesothelioma include stage of cancer at diagnosis, age and gender. Women have a better chance of survival for mesothelioma compared to men. People who are younger, healthy and diagnosed with mesothelioma have better odds.
The prognosis of someone diagnosed with mesothelioma can be affected by the type of surgery they undergo. 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 have extrapleural pneumonectomy, which involves removal of a lung, do not have the same success.
There are many ways to improve the mesothelioma treatment, including getting a second-opinion from a mesothelioma expert and enrolling in new clinical trials. Additionally, following a doctor's guidelines regarding exercise, diet and body stress reduction techniques can aid patients in maintaining their health. Some mesothelioma survivors have overcame their initial diagnosis and achieved remission, which means they aren't showing any signs of mesothelioma that is active.
Surgery
The prognosis of mesothelioma can be affected by many factors, such as the stage of cancer, the nature and number of cells, as well as other aspects that are in the control of the patient. A positive response to treatment may prolong the survival time beyond the initial prognosis. Patients with stage 1 cancer have complete tumor elimination. However, those diagnosed at stage 4 are less likely to be successful.
The mesothelioma stage of a patient affects their outlook because the earlier a doctor can treat the cancer, the better the outcome. The location of the cancer can also make an impact. Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that targets the lining around organs in the chest. Peritoneal mesothelioma, on the other hand affects the abdominal linings and digestive tract. In general, people who suffer from the more common pleural mesothelioma tend to have an increased survival rate than those with peritoneal melanoma.
In the treatment of pleural mesothelioma doctors may use surgery to remove cancerous tissue, or to alleviate symptoms like breathing problems and chest pressure. The use of chemotherapy and radiation is another options to kill cancer cells or slow down their growth. Common chemotherapy treatments for mesothelioma of the pleural include pemetrexed, carboplatin and cisplatin.
Other mesothelioma-related prognosis factors include the type of cancer cells, age and gender. In general, patients with epithelioid cancers have a better prognosis than those with sarcomatoid and biphasic mesothelioma. In addition, patients who are younger have a better mesothelioma prognosis and women live longer than men, although the reasons for this remain unclear. The mesothelioma specialists at a mesothelioma clinic can look over all treatment options and determine which one is suitable for the patient. They can also discuss clinical trials that provide innovative treatments that may improve the chances of survival. This includes immunotherapy that has been proven to be effective in recent studies.
Chemotherapy
The rate of survival for other patients is used to determine the diagnosis of mesothelioma, however each patient's situation is unique. By following the advice of their physicians mesothelioma sufferers can improve their prognosis. They can also participate in clinical trials for mesothelioma, which has increased survival rates.
A second opinion is crucial. Alexis Kidd learned that her mesothelioma wasn't as advanced as doctors initially believed when she did this. She was in a position to treat her condition before it became more advanced and improve her prognosis.
Other factors that impact how is mesothelioma treated a person's mesothelioma prognosis include stage, location, and type of the cancer. Malignant mesothelioma is divided into three types: epithelial, sarcomatoid and biphasic or mixed. Each cell type has a different rate of survival. Patients diagnosed with epithelial melanoma typically have a better prognosis than those diagnosed with mixed or sarcomatoid mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma is usually not diagnosed until it has progressed to a more advanced stage. Mesothelioma may mimic common illnesses such as flu, colds and stomach viruses. Getting an early diagnosis is essential to ensure the best mesothelioma outlook.
Over the last decade, treatment options for mesothelioma have grown. Numerous studies have proven that immunotherapy improves mesothelioma survivorship rates. It is important that victims seek out a mesothelioma specialist to receive the most advanced treatments.
Healthy lifestyle choices can improve the chances of survival for patients with mesothelioma, in addition to surgery and chemo. Patients who exercise regularly and eat a balanced diet tend to have a healthier immune system. This helps patients fight the effects of treatment for mesothelioma and remain strong throughout the recovery.
Radiation
The prognosis of mesothelioma patients is based on the stage, location and the specific type of cell that is causing the cancer. The odds of survival are better for those with epithelioid tumors, as they are less difficult to treat. People with mesothelioma that is sarcomatoid, and tends to multiply quickly and is more difficult to treat, do worse.
Other factors that affect mesothelioma's prognosis include age and overall health status. Younger patients are healthier and can more easily endure chemotherapy and surgery. They are also more likely to recognize signs and symptoms earlier, and receive a diagnosis of mesothelioma. Women are also more likely to respond positively to treatment and have a positive mesothelioma diagnosis than men.
Treatment for mesothelioma can assist with lung issues such as difficulty breathing or pressure on the chest caused by the accumulation of fluid. Doctors can request tests such as chest Xrays to determine lung changes. They may also use MRI, CT scan or Postron emission Tomography (PET) to see the location of mesothelioma and how far it has spread. They may also test blood samples to determine the mesothelioma-related levels.
Surgical options for pleural mesothelioma include extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) and pleurectomy with decortication (P/D). Both surgeries remove the affected lung, the linings of the lungs, and the diaphragm. They may also insert an insertion tube in the chest cavity to eliminate the fluid. They may also prescribe drugs to kill cancer cells or slow down their growth, such as pemetrexed and carboplatin.
Immunotherapy is a promising new treatment that is rapidly improving the outlook for patients suffering from mesothelioma. This is due to it targeting the cancer cells' receptors and makes them more responsive to treatment.
Palliative Care
Patients with mesothelioma shouldn't accept the doctor's estimate of their life time. They should consult with a specialist to see if there is more hope for them because of an alternate stage of the disease or a different option.
The type and location of mesothelioma could also affect survival rates. The most commonly used mesothelioma type affects the lining of the lungs (pleura) while the less-common type impacts the lining of the abdomen and is known as mesothelioma of the peritoneal region. Pleural mesothelioma has a better prognosis than peritoneal mesothelioma due to the the cancer is easier to remove in surgery. However, patients who have the more aggressive sarcomatoid-cell type, or biphasic mesothelioma, often have a less favorable prognosis than epithelial mesothelioma patients.
A person's age and general health also impact. The prognosis for mesothelioma is higher for patients younger in age since they are able to recognize symptoms earlier and receive a diagnosis earlier. They also are more likely to be candidates for surgery. Contrary to this, older patients have a higher risk of complications from radiation or chemotherapy treatments, and a less favorable prognosis for mesothelioma.
Ultimately, there is no cure for mesothelioma. Treatments can prolong the life of patients and improve the quality of life of patients. They can help reduce symptoms like nausea and pain which allows patients to focus on their lives.
New treatment options continue to improve the mesothelioma outlook. As a result, many patients with mesothelioma are not living to their initial prognoses. Some have even achieved remission, where tumors shrink and disappear entirely. This is encouraging as it demonstrates that mesothelioma patients' quality of life is not limited by their prognosis.