Determining The Mesothelioma Prognosis

The estimate of how the mesothelioma disease will go for you is called mesothelioma prognosis.  When a person has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, one of the questions they will ask is "How much longer will I live? "This question is a frightening and most awaited answer questions by virtually all cancer patients. Why? Because of many factors. Mesothelioma is highly malignant cancer related to the common condition that people diagnosed with cancer at later stages because early symptoms of mesothelioma cancer are almost the same as the usual respiratory disease.


mesothelioma symptom

What sort of things can help in determining the mesothelioma prognosis?

Mesothelioma prognosis is very difficult for an oncologist and also difficult to give  a definite answer.  Every case of mesothelioma has particularly different background conditions. Furthermore cancer is a disease that very difficult  to be predicted. Sometimes a person who has hardly helped suddenly be cured. While in other cases, cancer patients who looks not too badly suddenly experiencing rapid growth progress and result in death.
Malignant Mesothelioma is a cancer that is highly malignant and aggressive, and before they become serious had been inside the patient's body over long periods. Thus, the frequent case is mesothelioma is not detected until stage mesothelioma is at the top. Such conditions often produce unpleasant prognosis for the patient. Average age survive mesothelioma diagnosis is based on only one or two years.  Fortunately there are improvements in the condition in recent year especially after developement of  better treatments for mesothelioma. Therefore , the mesothelioma  prognosis for patients will get better over the last decade or two.

Factors that may determine mesothelioma prognosis

Currently, a number of issues that may determine the mesothelioma prognosis. Those issues are  as follows:

Type mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is classified into three types depending on which tissues are attacked. Type epithelial approximately 50% of all cases, sarcomatoid types reached 15% and the combination of both types accounted for 35% of all cases. Mesothelioma with epithelial-type cancer have survived better average than   the other type.

Mesothelioma Location
Mesothelioma can also be differentiated based on location. As pleural mesothelioma which attacks the lining of the lung, which almost happened at all responsible for nearly 80% of all cases. Pleural Mesothelioma has an average survived best. Meanwhile, Peritoneal Mesothelioma which attacks the lining of the abdominal attacks almost about 10% to 15% of all victims of mesothelioma. Peritoneal Mesothelioma is more difficult to handle. Then the most difficult to treat are the third and fourth type is Pericardial Mesothelioma and Testicular Mesothelioma.

Stage of Disease
Prognosis depends on the stage of mesothelioma and how early mesothelioma treatment can be started immediately. Often happen  that  new diagnoses known today has reached stage 3 and stage 4. The sad thing is mesothelioma have the same symptoms with respiratory disease that is not how serious such as flu or pneumonia. This often led to wrong diagnosis.

Metastasis
Once the diagnosis is completed. Onkologists often find that the cancer has spread or so-called "metastasized" from the initial location of the tumor growth to other parts of the body. The spread of the tumor will also determine what type of treatment is recommended for patients.

The general condition of the patient's health
A simple thing that determines the patient's general condition is getting younger and stronger patients with mesothelioma will have a better chance. Older people usually also have other problems such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure which makes the operation becomes more risky mesothelioma only have the option of fewer treatments.

Other factors affecting Mesothelioma Prognosis

Mesothelioma Life Expectancy
The life expectancy for patients with malignant mesothelioma depends on several factors such as the patient's general health condition, stage of the cancer and the patient's condition is eligible for treatment options. For those who are diagnosed with early-stage as well as having a general good health condition will certainly get a better prognosis than those diagnosed at a late stage.

mesothelioma prognosis and life expectancy


Mesothelioma Survival Rate:
In mesothelioma disease known relatifve five-year survival rate. It shows the number of patients still alive five years after being diagnosed with mesothelioma. Until now, patients with mesothelioma which can last up to 5 years only reached 10%. Although the figures were only slightly significant increase compared with the conditions of 20 or 30 years ago.
Patients who were able to survive up to 1 year reached 40%, it is also a significant increase compared to the condition 10 years ago. What is unfortunate is until today still many patients with mesothelioma who have a very poor prognosis. Many died less than one year with the average figure in the last 10 to 11 months.
Mesothelioma is a cancer that is very aggressive and is growing very rapidly evolved from its original location to the lungs, lymp nodes and abdominal cavity. However, good care and early can make the patient have a chance of surviving longer. Mesothelioma Treatments such as chemotherapy, mesothelioma radiation, and surgical resection may prolong patient life.

Improving mesothelioma prognosis

Over the last decade, people with mesothelioma have received more attention, and has been carried out various studies on mesothelioma that discovered new drugs and methods.  new methods in the treatment of mesothelioma disease to provide a better mesothelioma prognosis. Scientists have also been trying to find a way to diagnose mesothelioma earlier. Such as blood tests SMRP (Soluble mesothelin-Related Peptides). This method is expected to be able to let you know early in the existence of mesothelioma.
Treatments with new chemotherapy such as Alimta and radiation procedures to the tumor also may help increase the life expectancy of mesothelioma sufferers. Furthermore, experimental treatments such as immunotherapy, gene therapy and photodynamic therapy continues to be tested as a potential treatment option.

Each step in mesothelioma research mesothelioma prognosis can improve step by step and provides additional expectations for mesothelioma patients and family he loves. Our common hope is that soon scientist  can found a method that can be use  to diagnose mesothelioma at earlier condition. As well as new treatments can quickly cure mesothelioma.

What is Mesothelioma Cancer ?

What is malignant mesothelioma cancer ?  malignant mesothelioma cancer is an aggressive type of cancer that affects the lining membrane of the stomach and lungs. So far, there’s no spesific medicine to cure the disease, but there are some option for mesothelioma cancer treatment which already well known. Those treatment are surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.

Malignant Mesothelioma Cancer Facts

There are 3 facts we should know about malignant mesothelioma cancer :
  1. Malignant mesothelioma cancr is the most serious disease of all diseases that associated with asbestos. Exposure to asbestos for a long time is the primary culprit in most cases of mesothelioma.
  2. To make a proper diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma cancer is a very difficult  for doctors. Because the disease was present with symptoms that mimic other common ailments.
  3. Until now, there is no specific cure for mesothelioma, but treatments such as surgery and chemotherapy can help to improve the prognosis of mesothelioma even increase the life expectancy of a person.
  4. There are three main types of mesothelioma, and they are distinguished by the organs affected by mesothelioma are :
  • Pleural mesothelioma (chest)
  • Peritoneal mesothelioma (abdomen)
  • Pericardial mesothelioma (heart)

 
Pleural mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma
Peritoneal mesothelioma
Peritoneal mesothelioma

Pericardial mesothelioma

What is Malignant Mesothelioma Cancer?

Mesothelioma cancer is a cancer that attacks the mesothelium. What is meant by mesothelium is the cell membrane that protects the body cavity includes chest, stomach, and liver. Mesothelial cells assist in general organ functions.  The mesothelium is very important for the organ that is generally expanding and contracting like lungs, abdomen, or heart. Lubrication produced by mesothelial cells allows the stomach, chest and heart move freely in the body. Malignancy (tumor cancer) in mesothelial membrane is often referred to as malignant mesothelioma or mesothelioma. There is also a benign tumor on the mesothelium but it is rarer than malignant mesothelioma cancer.

mesothelioma cancer

Tumors of the mesothelium was first recognized in the late 18th century. Then we learn more about the relationship mesothelioma with asbestos. The study was conducted by a Hospital Witswater in South Africa and provide strong evidence of the interconnections between exposure to asbestos with mesothelioma.

Incident or complaint of mesothelioma cancer is still quite rare, only reached 2,500-3,000 diagnoses in the United States each year. Highest spike occurred in 1970 until 1984. That year appears associated with a period of industrial growth, especially the use of asbestos material in the previous 40. Conditions in the World War II era when there was an increase mainly industrial scale military industry

Mesothelioma cancer diagnosis through a comprehensive combination of biopsy and imaging scans

Mesothelioma symptoms is quite difficult to diagnose due to malignant mesothelioma cancer  symptoms are similar to other respiratory conditions. Because of this condition, misdiagnosis often occurs in patients with mesothelioma cancer. Common symptoms of mesothelioma are chest pain, chronic cough, effusions of the chest and abdomen, and there is blood in lung fluid.

mesothelioma biopsy diagnosis

More detailed diagnosis can be made by biopsy. A biopsy is needed to determine the type of malignant cells that are present in the body. Then another diagnosis method is body imaging scan, including using Magnetic Renonance Image (MRI), CT scan, or Positron Emission Tomography (PET). Method - the method needed to see where the location of the disease and how widely spread.

Options for malignant mesothelioma cancer treatment

Although best known as a disease that is quite aggressive but so far there has been no specific medicine to cope with mesothelioma. However there are several options for malignant mesothelioma cancer treatment such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. In addition to the two combinations of chemotherapy drugs have been approved by the FDA as Alimta® and cisplatin. There are currently ongoing clinical trials using other drugs such as gemcitabine and Onconase®, which may provide a new treatment option and can provide benefits to patients.

In addition, there are radiation therapy, which is also used in conjunction along with other treatment methods such as surgery and chemotherapy. Surgical resection of mesothelioma can also be performed in patients at an early stage diagnosis. Palliative procedures and Diagnostic such as pleurodesis  and Thoracentesis are also commonly performed in patients with malignant mesothelioma cancer in order to minimize cancer-related symptoms. There are Alternative therapies and conventional treatments have also been used effectively by many mesothelioma patients to assist in managing symptoms of the disease.

Mesothelioma cancer is caused by asbestos exposure

In most case, mesothelioma disease caused by asbestos exposure, although in some cases there are conditions mesothelioma cancer on children or others who do not have a history and relationship with asbestos. Asbestos is a mineral microscopic and settle in the pleural lining of the lungs and the peritoneal lining of the abdominal cavity. In most cases, Mesothelioma begin to appear after the age of 60 in those who have been exposed to asbestos.

People who are diagnosed as suffering from malignant mesothelioma cancer and exposure to asbestos must expend substantial costs for treatment. They are the sufferers of mesothelioma where eligible will receive financial compensation from asbestos manufacturers where they had worked to pay for treatment of their disease.

The difference between Lung Cancer and Malignant Mesothelioma Cancer

Although mesothelioma is not officially a form of lung cancer, but many people often referred malignant mesothelioma cancer to lung cancer by people who are un familiar with the differences of them. This is because of malignant mesothelioma symptoms like dry cough, chest pain and shortness or diffculty of breath  are also found in those who have lung cancer.
Hence , its usual that mesothelioma tobe mistaken for lung cancer at first glance. However, if complete test tobe done , including image scans and biopsies , it is definitely mesothelioma diagnosis can be made.  The similiarities of between the two also mean it is necessary for people who was once exposed to asbestos to  provide their complete information to their doctor in order to get clear and prompt diagnosis when mesothelioma symptoms arise.

Conclusion

Again, the major difference between lung cancer and mesothelioma is that the diseases or cancer is not develops in the lungs, but mesothelioma develops in the pleura, the thin membrane that form the lining of the lungs. In addition to the pleura, malignant mesothelioma cancer can also develop in other parts of the mesothelial membrane, such as the peritoneum (lining of the abdominal) and pericardium (lining of the heart). Mean while Lung cancer always start in the lungs and may can spread to other parts of the body. 
 

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