How Your Mesothelioma Stage Affects Your Life Expectancy
Mesothelioma Survival Rate;
Every dangerous disease has its own life expectation which depends on its treatment options. Cancers are one of those diseases that are very serious that affects thousands of families globally each year.
Mesothelioma is a carcinogenic disease known to be the silent killer caused by the exposure to asbestos fibers. However, following the time of exposure Mesothelioma typically reveals itself only after 20 to 50 years with visible symptoms as well as damage to the organ it affects.
Recent studies showed that 80 percent of cases have four stages of development. Each Mesothelioma stage has a survival rate expectancy that influence how long the mesothelioma patient live with this cancer. Like any serious disease, many factors can influence how long mesothelioma patient may live such as; an early diagnosis, type of cells that make up mesothelioma, overall patient health, sex, and age is very important factors.
How Cell Type Affects Prognosis and Treatment;
Because mesothelioma is a rare disease and fast-growing cancer type, knowing the origin of mesothelioma and its cell type helps in prognosis and treatment options and thus the survival rate. There are three different types of mesothelioma cells epithelial or sarcomatoid cells, or a mix of the two, which is called biphasic and originate in different places where mesothelioma develops. Each cellular type gives a different prognosis and responds to different treatment, these cellular variations of mesothelioma are the result of genetic mutations of healthy cells lining the affected organ caused by phagocytizing of asbestos fibers so an accurate diagnosis of cancer cell type is essential to develop an effective treatment plan.
Prognosis for Each Mesothelioma Stage;
The staging system is an international system used to assist doctors to determine the extent of the cancer within the body, commonly used for pleural mesothelioma is called the International Mesothelioma Interest Group (IMIG) system.
Stage 1;
This is the first stage of mesothelioma just as the name implies the cancer is still localized to one side of the body. Mesothelioma cause thickening of this particular place pressing on the lung. The patients have the best chances of successful treatment.
Stage 1 is further broken into 2 stages as follows;
Stage 1A;
Cancer is localized in one side of the chest; in the chest wall lining, or the lining of the chest cavity and has not affected the lung, between the lining which covers the diaphragm as well as the lungs. At this point, the disease has not yet spread from these points in the body.
Stage 1B;
Cancer is localized in one side of both of the chest and on the lining that covers the lung and has not spread to lung tissue or diaphragm. Again, the cancer has not yet spread from these points.
Stage 2- The cancer has spread (metastasized);
The disease is still localized in one side of the chest but has spread to both layers particularly in the lining of the chest cavity between the lungs, the lining which protects the diaphragm as well as that which protects the lung forming a tumor mass on the pleural tissue around the lungs. Surgical treatment is still an option because there is no or minimal lymph node involvement.
Stage 3;
At this stage Cancer is still on one side of the body but had spread throughout the lung lining to the chest wall or the covering of the heart and lymph node involvement. Surgical treatment is not an option other treatments like chemotherapy and radiation may be an option.
Stage 4;
At this point, mesothelioma has spread to both sides of the body; sadly mesothelioma cannot be removed by surgery or cured using any treatment.
Prognosis for Early Mesothelioma Diagnosis
If early diagnosis (the first two stages) is done, several treatment options can be under considerations with a cancer specialist and a much better chance to live longer.
That is why it is advisable for people who have experienced exposure to asbestos to go for cancer screening without waiting to detect any physical symptoms.