Life Expectancy And Mesothelioma

Most of the symptoms of mesothelioma are similar to those of other minor diseases. As a result, diagnosis of mesothelioma is difficult, and often, too late. Some of the common symptoms of malignant mesothelioma include a shortness of breath and pain in the chest wall. This is usually due to a build-up of fluid between the chest wall and the lung, called a pleural effusion. Among other general symptoms, weight loss is quite common.

The doctor might suspect a case of mesothelioma through a CT scan or a chest X-ray. The confirmation of the suspicion is through a tissue sample, called a biopsy and a microscopic examination of the sample. The doctor might use a procedure involving the insertion of a tube that has a fitted camera, called a thoracoscopy.

However, despite timely diagnosis and treatment, which may take the form of surgery, radiation therapy or even chemotherapy, the prognosis of malignant mesothelioma is rather poor. The average mesothelioma life expectancy is about eleven months to five years. With an improvement in the methods of diagnosis and treatment, the percentage of survivors is going up.

Factors influencing the prognosis of malignant mesothelioma are many. The type of malignant mesothelioma and the location and size of the tumor play a huge role in the prognosis of the disease and thus, the mesothelioma life expectancy. Even the degree of severity of other related symptoms and the lifestyle of the patient are important in the prognosis. Thus, a smoker usually has a lower life expectancy as compared to a patient with a healthy lifestyle.

Various factors influence the mesothelioma life expectancy in a patient. These include:

Type:

A patient can have pleural, pericardial or peritoneal mesothelioma. Depending on the type of mesothelioma he or she suffers from, the mesothelioma life expectancy shall differ. Since malignant mesothelioma of the pleura is the most common, the life expectancy of the patient is usually higher in these cases.

Diagnosis Age:

The age of diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma affects the mesothelioma life expectancy. Since mesothelioma has a latency period of decades, doctors diagnose mesothelioma mainly in older patients. In older patients, more health complications are present. As a result, the doctor might have to compromise on various treatment procedures. Thus, the mesothelioma life expectancy decreases.

Nicotine Addiction:

Nicotine addiction, especially in the form of smoking, decreases the mesothelioma life expectancy of the patient greatly.

The best way to increase the mesothelioma life expectancy is early diagnosis. Diagnosing the malignant mesothelioma earlier in life means that the disease will still be in its nascent stages. In addition, the patient will be younger and healthier. Thus, treatment will be more effective and quick.

Certain treatments, such as surgery, radiation and chemotherapy are more effective than others are, and these can help to increase the life expectancy of the patient. Thus, working with the doctor to determine the right treatment for the patient is very important in increasing the chances of survival.

In addition, it is essential to lead a healthy lifestyle at all costs, whether or not one is a patient of malignant mesothelioma. This will ensure that the negative factors in the lifestyle do not affect later treatment of the disease.

You can learn more about malignant mesothelioma and the life expectancies of mesothelioma patients through mesotheliomahelp.net. This is a resource geared toward providing information about this rare form of cancer. It also deals with the legal issues and assists the patients in the battle for compensation.