Mesothelioma Prognosis
Approximately 2,000 to 3,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in the United States each year. Once a patient is diagnosed, a doctor will likely discuss their prognosis -- the probable course of the cancer's influence on the body -- and suggest treatment options. Mesothelioma prognosis and the recommended treatments can vary depending on the patient's age, sex, asbestos exposure history and the specific cells involved.
The best way to avoid a poor mesothelioma prognosis is through early detection of the cancer.
The best way to avoid a poor mesothelioma prognosis is through early detection of the cancer.
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Those who have been exposed to asbestos may wish to alert their doctor, as this may aid in the early detection of mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease.
Type of Mesothelioma: Masothelioma prognosis can be affected depending upon whether they are diagnosed with pleural, peritoneal, pericardial or testicular mesothelioma. Statistics show that approximately 10 percent of patients with pleural mesothelioma will survive for five years following diagnosis. Statistically speaking, pleural mesothelioma patients have the most optimistic prognosis.
Overall Health: Patients diagnosed with mesothelioma who are otherwise healthy may have an easier time undergoing intensive treatment, such as chemotherapy, than someone with pre-existing health issues. Additionally,non-smokers often have a better mesothelioma prognosis than patients who smoke.
Stage of Mesothelioma: Doctors typically discuss the severity of a patient's cancer in terms of stages, ranging from stage I to stage IV. Patients with stage III or stage IV mesothelioma will typically have a poorer prognosis than patients with stage I or stage II mesothelioma.
For example, in a study published in the European Respiratory Journal involving 167 patients with pleural mesothelioma, participants with stage I pleural mesothelioma survived for 359 days, while those with stage III or stage IV (combined) mesothelioma survived approximately 112 days. In general, treatment options are typically more limited and surgery may not be an option once the cancer has progressed beyond stage II.
Cell Type: Mesothelioma histology impacts a patient's prognosis, as those with epithelial mesothelioma have a greater life expectancy than those with sarcomatoid or biphasic mesothelioma.
Size and Location of the Tumor: The size and location of a patient's tumor can impact their mesothelioma prognosis. Patients with tumors that have progressed or spread to other parts of the body generally have a poorer mesothelioma prognosis. Patients with tumors that may be surgically removed often have a better mesothelioma prognosis.
Progression of Symptoms: Patients who are experiencing serious symptoms of mesothelioma, such as chest pain or shortness of breath, may have a weakened prognosis, because the prevalence of mesothelioma symptoms often indicates the cancer has progressed to a later stage of development.
Additional factors, such as age and a patient's response to surgery may also affect mesothelioma prognosis.
FAVORABLE PROGNOSTIC FACTORS | POOR PROGNOSTIC FACTORS |
|---|---|
Stage I or stage II Mesothelioma | Stage III or stage IV Mesothelioma |
Tumor Located in One Area of the Body | Tumor Progressed to Other Parts of the Body |
Good Overall Health | Preexisting Health Conditions, Poor Overall Health |
Epithelial Mesothelioma | Sarcomatoid, Biphasic Mesothelioma |
Age 55 or Below | Over Age 55 |
Non-Smoker | Smoker |
Female | Male |
Current Mesothelioma Prognosis Studies
The ability to provide patients with a more accurate mesothelioma prognosis increases as results from ongoing studies continue to surface. According to a January 2011 study conducted by the University of South Wales, females may have a more positive mesothelioma prognosis, as the expression of the estrogen gene may lead to tumor suppression.
Additionally, a February 2011 study involving 636 patients with pleural mesothelioma conducted by the Division of Thoracic Surgery and Department of Pathology of Brigham and Women's Hospital in Massachusetts notes that patients with pleural mesothelioma who underwent an aggressive surgery known as an extrapleural pneumonectomy experienced extended survival.
Typical Mesothelioma Prognosis
According to a study published by the Journal of Thoracic Oncology, the survival rate for mesothelioma patients is generally considered to be one year.
Improving Prognosis
Following a mesothelioma diagnosis, patients may wish to learn more about how they can improve their prognosis. Many patients will elect to undergo treatment to fight the cancer.
Common treatment options include:
- Surgery
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation Therapy
Mesothelioma patients may also wish to enroll in a clinical trial, as the clinical trial process tests up-and-coming medications and may provide access to new treatments that could extend life expectancy.
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