How long does Mesothelioma take to kill you?

(Mesothelioma)

How long does Mesothelioma take to kill you?

 The issue of prognosis inevitably arises after a patient receives a mesothelioma diagnosis. Similar to most cancers, the prognosis for this illness is frequently influenced by how quickly it is detected and how aggressively it is treated.

Oncologists frequently find it very difficult to give clear answers regarding the likely course of the disease. Although mesothelioma has a poor prognosis in general, there are long-term survivors and many other factors come into play.

Penn Medicine provides excellent care for patients seeking mesothelioma treatment. The level of training and experience that the medical staff and teams at Penn have received is unmatched in the area.

Choosing a mesothelioma prognosis.

A patient with mesothelioma has a prognosis based on a number of factors. These incorporate:.

Type - Depending on the tissues affected, malignant mesothelioma is typically divided into three cell type categories. The three types are epithelial, sarcomatoid, and biphasic, also referred to as mixed type. Nearly half of all cases of mesothelioma are of the epithelial variety, which is the most prevalent. Compared to the other two types, epithelial mesothelioma has a higher survival rate.

Location – Mesothelioma is categorized according to its location.

Seventy five percent of all cases of mesothelioma are pleural, which means they develop in the lining of the lung. This kind of cancer has the highest rate of survival. The less frequent peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the lining of the abdomen and is typically more difficult to treat. Pericardial and testicular mesothelioma are two less prevalent types that are particularly challenging to treat.

 

Stage of the disease – Mesothelioma has a better prognosis with early detection and treatment. Unfortunately, a lot of the symptoms of mesothelioma are very similar to those of less serious illnesses, which can lead to misdiagnosis. The disease of mesothelioma frequently progresses to later stages before it is discovered.

When mesothelioma is finally diagnosed, oncologists frequently discover that the cancer has spread, or metastasized, from the site of the primary tumor. The prognosis and recommended treatment will be based on the extent of the metastases and the site where they have developed.

Patient's general health - Like most other illnesses and diseases, mesothelioma patients who are younger and healthier tend to live longer than those who are older and may already be struggling with multiple health problems. Patients may be at higher risk for mesothelioma surgery and other conventional cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation if they have pre-existing conditions like heart disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure. The prognosis of patients who do not smoke is frequently better than that of patients who smoke.

Other Mesothelioma Prognosis Factors.

Each year, more than 2,000 new cases of mesothelioma are discovered in the US. Mesothelioma has no known cure, but treatment options are expanding as we learn more about the illness.

Life expectancy for those with malignant mesothelioma depends on a number of variables, such as the type and location of the disease, the stage at diagnosis, the general health of the patient, and the available treatment options. Prognosis will be better for those with an early diagnosis and good health than for those with a later diagnosis.

Mesothelioma Survival Rate - The mesothelioma survival rate is typically 4 to 18 months after diagnosis, but there have been cases of patients with mesothelioma who have lived longer than 10 years. Currently, the disease has a 10% five-year survival rate. It's crucial to remember that this figure is higher than it was ten years ago and significantly higher than it was twenty to thirty years ago. Mesothelioma diagnosis and care are getting better as a result of increased knowledge.

Remission from Mesothelioma - Despite the fact that only a small percentage of mesothelioma patients experience remission, many patients have been able to significantly increase their survival rates through prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Mesothelioma Survivors - Despite the fact that there is no cure for mesothelioma, many patients have found relief from their symptoms by combining conventional therapies with complementary therapies like optimal diet, body-stress reduction methods, and palliative therapies. Despite an initial poor prognosis, some patients with mesothelioma have survived for many years.

improving the prognosis for mesothelioma.

The prognosis of mesothelioma is significantly improved by early detection. Due to this, funds have been allocated to research into methods of earlier disease diagnosis. For instance, the Mesomark assay is a quick blood test that detects a biomarker released into the bloodstream by mesothelioma cells. This biomarker, known as Soluble Mesothelin-Related Peptides (SMRP), can be elevated for many years prior to the onset of symptoms and the actual diagnosis of the disease. Many lives could be saved by this potential for early diagnosis.

In an effort to improve mesothelioma patient outcomes, researchers have also concentrated on developing new drugs and therapies. Over the past ten years, mesothelioma patients have lived longer thanks to new chemotherapy drugs and techniques that deliver more precisely targeted radiation to the tumor.

In addition, experimental therapies for mesothelioma like immunotherapy, gene therapy, and photodynamic therapy have had some success.

If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and have inquiries about the various mesothelioma treatment options offered at Penn Medicine, get in touch with a mesothelioma patient navigator at Penn right away.