Mesothelioma Prognosis - Get Straight Facts

The word meaning of the term prognosis is outcome. It is important when it is spoken together with mesothelioma. Mesothelioma prognosis can be tough for some of the patients. After all those years serving the industry, when the patient realizes that they are swindled ultimately, the desperation and pain can proliferate in the sadness. Some of the doctors will conclude the truth that the prospects of survival are slim. The rest of the ensemble inspires hope into the mind of the patient. The outcome of mesothelioma depends on how the body is responding to the treatment.

Mesothelioma is similar to the other embodiments of cancers. It has certain inherent properties that give it a distinctive role. The doctor can start the mesothelioma prognosis only after the condition has been examined. Here lies the problem; the condition cannot be diagnosed that easily. It is usually during the advanced stages of the cancer, that tests will reveal that the patient is truly suffering from mesothelioma. Most of the doctors falter at this stage itself, because if timely medication is not provided, the survival chances are thin. Once the condition has been successfully diagnosed, then the doctor can start working on the mesothelioma prognosis.

There are various factors affecting the mesothelioma prognosis. Some of them will be listed as well as illustrated in the rest of the passage. The location where mesothelioma is known to occur plays a pivotal role in the entire process. It is commonly known to occur on the pleura, peritonea, pericardium and the testis. Among these, the one developing on the pleura is the most common form of mesothelioma. The rest of the forms of asbestos cancers is also equally fatal. The next factor that decides the prognosis is the rate of infection. If the condition is found out by suitable tests during the initial phases, with appropriate surgical and therapy sessions, the patient can be saved.

The cancer cells are known to spread to the surrounding cells or migrate to a different location and start attacking the normal cells present in the region. This happens during the later stages and plays an important role in the mesothelioma prognosis. The condition is known to occur with other forms of associated symptoms. These symptoms may be caused by the alternate action of the cancer cells. The smoking and the drinking habits of the patient will also influence the mesothelioma prognosis largely.

The patient has to actively take on the medication sessions without fail. Never lose hope, because in the absence of hope, the chances of recovery are slim. Miracles happen all the time, and if an early detection is made the chances of survival are colossal. The family members should be supportive of the patient at all times. The usual survival rate as published by some of the eminent journal is just 10 percent. People who are undergoing treatment for mesothelioma are known to live approximately five to six years after the initial detection. This is an impressive figure considering the lasting rates of other forms of cancers.

The Silent Killer, The Asbestos Cancer - Mesothelioma

The silent killer, asbestos cancer, Mesothelioma can be present in your system for many years before signs of the cancer are evident. If you have worked with asbestos, make an appointment today with your doctor and have a complete physical. The earlier this type of cancer is caught, the better the survival rate is. Asbestos cancer, Mesothelioma is well known in the construction industry. Among workers that have used asbestos, there has been serious rise in the incidences of cancer being found. The reason that this particular type of cancer is called the silent killer is because of the dormancy period that often is a part of this disease. Individuals do not realize that they have Mesothelioma until they have a hard time breathing or if they have pain in the chest or abdomen areas of the body. Once these symptoms appear it is important to get to a doctor so that it can be diagnosed early and treated immediately.

Treatment for Asbestos Cancer, Mesothelioma

Treatments for the asbestos cancer, Mesothelioma are available and the treatments that are being used are chemotherapy drugs, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery. The sooner a person can be diagnosed and treated, the sooner and more readily they can recover. If you have worked with asbestos at any period of time in your life, go to your health care provider and have the tests run that will determine if you have any of the cancerous cells of Mesothelioma or not. The sooner you are treated, the better your chances are for survival of this deadly disease.

Survival Rates of Mesothelioma Victims

Survival rates of Mesothelioma victims has been found to be that ten percent of the Mesothelioma patients will live at least five years after they have been diagnosed with this type of cancer. According to medical research the average patient survives about four to eighteen months after diagnoses is made discovering the cancer that laid dormant for a long period of time. Giving a survival rate is difficult because each patient has different circumstances. The best survival rate is found when asbestos cancer, Mesothelioma is diagnosed early and treated immediately.

Surviving Mesothelioma - Fighting This Life Threatening Enemy

Mesothelioma, a disease linked to asbestos exposure, is a rare form of cancer in which malignant cells are located in the Mesothelium - a shielding sac that covers a large amount of the body's internal organs. Malignant pericardial, malignant pleural and malignant peritoneal Mesothelioma are the three main types of Mesothelioma cancer. The peritoneal form involves the tissue covering the abdominal cavity and the pleural form involves the sac that protects the pleural cavity around the lungs.

Mesothelioma is frequently mistaken for lung cancer. Generally the symptoms of mesothelioma can include: cough, shortness of breath, husky voice, and difficulty in breathing, difficulty swallowing, abdominal pain and swelling, chest pain, anemia, insomnia, loss of appetite, cachexia, fatigue, weight loss, and fluid in the abdomen or chest. It is not easy to properly diagnose mesothelioma since numerous symptoms can be confused with other illnesses such as flu, bronchitis, pneumonia and heart disease.

Mesothelioma is caused by asbestos. No amount of asbestos exposure is harmless. Some mesothelioma victims have experienced occupational exposure to asbestos over a long period of time. An example would be a plumber, boilermaker or HVAC repairmen in the 1960's; a time when many of the parts and equipment contained some asbestos. Some mesothelioma victims were exposed in a "secondary fashion" from the clothes of the person who was directly exposed. An example of this would be a woman who washes her husband's work clothes and inadvertently inhales or ingests some of the microscopic asbestos fibers. A third category of victim would be someone who was exposed to only small amounts of asbestos through casual contact with an asbestos containing product. All forms of exposure can cause mesothelioma.

Today, there is still not a complete ban on asbestos containing products in the U.S. The EPA has, however, put in certain limits on the amount of asbestos that is permitted in some products. Nonetheless, because of the costs of litigation, many manufacturers of asbestos containing products have voluntarily removed asbestos from their products. Products from other countries, however, may still contain asbestos. For example, recent testing by the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization found asbestos in children's toys coming from China.

Typically, 20 to 50 years elapse between asbestos exposure and the diagnosis of Mesothelioma cancer. This latency period varies by individual but is the reason that mesothelioma typically strikes seniors.

Although mesothelioma is a particularly aggressive cancer there are treatment options available including: standard therapies - surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, alternative or complimentary therapies and clinical trials. Clinical trials are a broad category that includes various types of treatments that are being tested. Currently these therapies include: Monoclonal Antibody Approaches, Anti-angiogenesis Drugs, Vaccine Approaches - Immunotherapies, and other "biological modifiers."

There is a lot of disheartening Mesothelioma News and information on the internet regarding mesothelioma survival rate. Despite this pessimism, there are a few long term mesothelioma survivors including: Stephen Jay Gould, Rhio O'Connor, Paul Kraus, and others. In fact, Paul Kraus wrote an inspirational book about his recovery from mesothelioma titled "Surviving Mesothelioma and Other Cancers: A Patient's Guide." Today, "Surviving Mesothelioma" is the best-selling mesothelioma book in the world, according to a testimonial from a former brain surgeon. This Mesothelioma book has all the information a cancer patient needs to learn what survival behavior is all about.

DISCLAIMER: The information in this article is for educational and informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this article.

Malignant Mesothelioma and Benign Mesothelioma - How Are They Different?

Most of your body's internal organs are covered by a membrane called the mesothelium. When a person gets a type of malignant or benign cancer called mesothelioma it affects the mesothelium.

The pleura is the lining around your lungs. Most mesothelioma cases start in the pleura or the peritoneum, which is the lining that surrounds your abdomen.

What Causes Mesothelioma?

Wherever it begins, the disease was almost always a result of being exposed to asbestos.

Asbestos is a silicate that has been mined and used for centuries because of its many useful properties which include thermal insulation, thermal stability, and chemical stability. Many of the people who have developed malignant mesothelioma have had jobs where they were exposed to asbestos fibers and either inhaled or swallowed the particles.

Malignant Mesothelioma Survival Rates

Mesothelioma survival rates reflect the percentage of people who have the disease and survive for a specific amount of time. Survival rates often reflect a five year time span.

Generally, the survival rate for mesothelioma depends on the following:

1. The patient's health and age

2. The stage of mesothelioma

3. The tumor's size

4. Whether or not the tumor can be removed

Since many variables are involved there are not absolutes. For example, if a patient is diagnosed with stage 1 mesothelioma and is generally in good health then he or she might be a candidate for mesothelioma treatment or surgery. If there is a good response to the treatments then there could be significant improvements for the chance of survival.

With that being said, here are average survival rates for mesothelioma sufferers:

- Approximately 40% survive the first year

- Approximately 20% survive the second year

- Approximately 12% survive the third year

- Approximately 10% survive the fourth year

- Less than 10% survive the fifth year

Since conditions do vary from one person to the next it is recommended that patients consult with their doctors.

What is Benign Mesothelioma?

Approximately 10% of all mesothelioma cases are benign. Because it isn't cancerous, treatment is much easier and it can be removed.

The symptoms are very similar to those of cancerous mesothelioma. However benign tumors don't invade nearby organs and tissues. They don't spread to other parts of a person's body.

Nonetheless, if a benign tumor grows large enough it can induce seizures or comas.

Once a person is diagnosed with benign mesothelioma then treatment and/or surgery will probably be scheduled. Most patients completely recover. Their pain usually diminishes and they most likely will find it easier to breathe.

Research indicates that 90% of benign mesothelioma patients have not had a repeated occurrence of a tumor growth.

Tri Modal Asbestosis Treatments And Improved Mesothelioma Survival

Latest advances in the development of combined surgical, radiotherapy and palliative procedures used in the treatment of mesothelioma have helped to increase individual patient longevity by several months and even 1-2 years are not unknown in specific instances.

However, a complete cure for the deadly asbestosis cancer has yet to be fully realised. Survival rates from confirmed diagnosis tend to be around 4 to 12 months because, invariably, the disease is at an advanced stage and has spread to adjacent tissue cells or 'distant' organs.

A recent case involving a South American woman who was treated in Italy, and according to the Italian doctors "... shows a disease-free survival interval of 4 years for malignant pleural mesothelioma" and thus, is key evidence for an improved prognosis.

With a three year time limit from confirmed diagnosis for an asbestosis lawyer to make a mesothelioma claim on behalf of the patient, it could undoubtedly be of significance in future mesothelioma compensation cases and help towards providing a better quality of life for a surviving patient and their family.

Surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy are established 'tri-modal' asbestosis treatments used in fighting the fatal tumours that form in the linings of the lungs ( pleural mesothelioma) or within the membrane surrounding the heart (pericardial mesothelioma). Chemotherapy is used with the aim of reducing the mesothelioma, surgery to remove the diseased tissue, and radiotherapy to prevent a return of the cancer cells.

There is an exceptionally long gestation period of up to 40 or 50 years from an original exposure and breathing in of the asbestos fibres to the appearance of the first asbestosis symptoms or signs of mesothelioma. Often the victim is elderly or in poor health or has a history of smoking and survival rates are likely to be considerably reduced.

Previous research has confirmed that if the disease is diagnosed at an early stage or if the patient is younger, there is a higher probability of surviving mesothelioma for longer. In the present case, the woman was young and admitted to hospital with the usual, non-specific symptoms including, shortness of breath.

Prior to surgery, two cycles of chemotherapy were administered using the acknowledged treatment standard of pemetrexed and cisplatin. This was followed by an extrapleural pneumonectomy, a procedure to remove not only the cancerous membrane, but also adjacent membranes such as the nearest lung, and often the diaphragm. The patient also received external beam radiation to one side of the chest after a period of six months had elapsed.

Post operation monitoring by a combination of PET and CT scanning has yet to find any signs of a return of the disease some fours later.

With around 2,000 cases of mesothelioma still being diagnosed each year and over 4,000 asbestos disease related fatalities recorded in the UK, it is hoped that tri-modal procedures will help to improve future survival rates.

Chemotherapy Helps Mesothelioma Survival?

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer in which malignant (cancerous) cells are found in the mesothelium, a protective sac that covers most of the body's internal organs. Each year, more than 2,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed within the United States, many of which end up being terminal.

While there is no one-size-fits-all cure for mesothelioma, researchers and doctors have been working on different treatments to help make this rare form of cancer more manageable. Currently, treatment for mesothelioma generally depends on the location, stage, general health and age of the mesothelioma patient. From that point, patients may receive one or more of a combination of treatments that involve surgery, radiation and/or chemotherapy.

Does Chemotherapy Treatment Work?

Chemotherapy is considered a palliative treatment modality which means that it can help reduce the symptoms of mesothelioma and perhaps the size of the tumors, but it is not curative. Within the last decade, chemotherapy containing cisplatin-antifolate combinations has been shown to improve responses and prolong survival in mesothelioma patients. Based on the successes shown in clinical trials, a trio of research scientists in The Netherlands launched their own population-based study to "assess the impact of this development on clinical practice and survival at a population-based level."

The study focused on 4,731 Dutch patients diagnosed with mesothelioma between 1995 and 2006. For the periods 1995-1998 and 2005-2006, the use of chemotherapy to treat mesothelioma jumped from 8% to 36%. At the same time, median survival for chemotherapy-treated patients increased from 10.1 months in earlier years to 13.1 months in more recent years. The researchers summarized their findings by stating that increased chemotherapy use at the national level did improve survival rates of mesothelioma patients, but they also cautioned that there may still be alternative explanations as to why this is the case.

Alimta and Cisplatin

Cisplatin is a platinum-based chemotherapy drug marketed as Platinol and used to treat a number of different cancers, including mesothelioma, some carcinomas such as small cell lung cancer and ovarian cancer, lymphomas and germ cell tumors. Inside cancer cells, cisplatin and other platinum-based drugs trigger cell death, killing the cancerous cells. In the United States, the platinum-based drug, cisplatin, is usually combined with another drug, Alimta, for treating mesothelioma. Alimta is an antifolate drug, which works by blocking the activity of folic acid inside cells interfering with cellular metabolism.

The FDA approved the Alimta plus cisplatin combination after a clinical trial demonstrated that the two drugs were more effective than one drug. In the July 2003 edition of the Journal of Clinical Oncology the published results reported a median survival time of 12.1 months for mesothelioma patients who received Alimta and cisplatin versus 9.3 months for the mesothelioma patients who just received cisplatin. The researchers also found that the addition of folic acid and vitamin B12 helped to reduce the toxicity of the drugs without adversely affecting survival time.

It is the hope that as research continues there will also continue to be better alternatives (and hopefully a cure) for those who suffer from mesothelioma.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is for educational and informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this article.