Mesothelioma Survival Rate
Every year mesothelioma affects 2,000 to 3,000 people within the United States. This aggressive form of cancer has killed over 18,000 individuals between 1999 and 2005. Researchers have shown that the main cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. One of the characteristics of the disease is that the first symptoms appear 30 to 50 years after the initial exposure to asbestos, which lowers the survival rate. Mesothelioma patients have a short life span because the disease has already affected their bodies irreversibly by the time of diagnosis.
Types of Mesothelioma
This severe disease can take on three forms. Pleural mesothelioma begins in the lungs, causing:
- Shortness of breath
- Pleural effusions
- Chronic cough
- Severe chest pain
- Night sweats
- Fever
Peritoneal mesothelioma attacks the lining of the abdominal cavity. Individuals who develop this form of cancer present:
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Unexplained weight loss
- Vomiting
- Swollen abdomen
- Bowel obstruction
Pericardial mesothelioma affects the layer that covers the heart. This is the rarest form of mesothelioma. Its main symptoms include:
- Difficulty breathing
- Murmurs
- Dyspnea
- Irregular heartbeat
- Fatigue
Roughly 60 percent of all individuals suffering from pericardial mesothelioma are given a life expectancy of six months after diagnosis.
Mesothelioma Survival Rate
The stage of mesothelioma at the time of diagnosis, as well as the cancer latency period and metastasis influence the survival rate for mesothelioma patients. Individuals who are diagnosed with this severe disease in the first stage have a life span of up to 32 months. If mesothelioma is detected in the second stage, the patient will live for up to up 19 months. The average life expectancy for patients diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer in the third stage of the disease is 13 months. If the tumor is detected in the final stage, the patient will be given a life expectancy of approximately six months and two weeks.
This rare and aggressive form of cancer is usually diagnosed in people between the ages of 50 and 70 years. Elderly patients have less treatment options than those diagnosed at a younger age. The patient's overall health may also influence his life expectancy. Mesothelioma survival rate is higher among healthy individuals who have been diagnosed with this disease in early stages. Patients who are in a good health are eligible for more aggressive treatments that can dramatically increase their life expectancy.
The expected survival rate is the main concern among people diagnosed with mesothelioma. Approximately 10 percent of them live for five years or more after diagnosis. Survival rates are lower among mesothelioma patients who smoke. The type of mesothelioma cancer cells may also affect the patient's life expectancy. If mesothelioma is detected in the early stages, doctors can surgically remove the tumor before it spreads to other organs.
Mesothelioma survival rate is higher among those diagnosed with this form of cancer in the first stages. If you worked with asbestos, make sure you go to the doctor on a regular basis.