mesothelioma prognosis
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Mesothelioma Prognosis
The mesothelioma prognosis is usually poor. However, new
discoveries and treatments developed in recent years are contribution a better
prognosis for many mesothelioma patients.
Malignant mesothelioma prognosis is extremely aggressive and has a
long latency period, which means it usually remains hidden until the cancer has
reached an advanced stage. As a result, the prognosis for mesothelioma patients
is often adverse, with most patients living a year or two after diagnosis.
The good news is that the prognosis for mesothelioma has been
slowly improving over the years. This improvement in mesothelioma prognosis is due to the
development of experimental treatments, new discovery and diagnostic methods,
and other areas of research in clinical trials.
Mesothelioma Prognosis Factors Affect
There are five main mesothelioma prognosis factors that
doctors consider when determining a prognosis of mesothelioma patients.
Cell Type
Of the three main cell types of mesothelioma, epithelioid
mesothelioma is the most common and also has a better prognosis than sarcomatoid
or biphasicmesothelioma.
Stage
Mesothelioma patients diagnosed at an early stage will have
a better prognosis than those diagnosed at a later stage. By Stage III and
Stage IV, generally only soothing treatments are given to relieve pain and
discomfort.
Overall Health
Patients who are comparatively young and healthy will have a
better prognosis mesothelioma, because their bodies are better able to handle
the treatments. Older patients also tend to have other conditions that can make
worse the disease or limit treatment options.
Prognosis by Mesothelioma Type
The type of mesothelioma prognosis, which is determined by
the location where it first develops, can have a big effect on the prognosis of
the disease.
Improving a Mesothelioma Prognosis
Early discovery is the best way to improve prognosis.
In recent years, research has helped to discover and develop
new and extra effective treatments for mesothelioma, which has done a lot to
improve prognosis. However, advancements have been slow and incremental at
best.
Improving Prognosis before Diagnosis
Perhaps the best way to get better prognosis is to catch
mesothelioma early. By using blood tests to know certain biomarkers that is,
high levels of specific substances in the blood researchers have had some
success at finding new ways to detect mesothelioma early.
The first thing persons can do is to appreciate the
relationship between mesothelioma and asbestos. If you have been exposed to
asbestos in the past and experience any symptoms of mesothelioma, you should
talk to your doctor right away.
Improving Prognosis after Diagnosis
After a mesothelioma diagnosis, improving prognosis depends
on the cell type, location, and metastasis of the tumors, as well as the
patient’s age, sex, and overall health.
While some of these factors are fixed, you can certainly
make sure you eat right and exercise regularly. Engaging in holistic practices
such as thought, massage, and yoga can also help alleviate mental and physical
stresses, which may get better prognosis as well.
Some treatments have been shown to be additional effective
than others as well. For example, surgery coupled with HIPEC has been established
to considerably improve the prognosis for some patients with peritonealmesothelioma prognosis. Patients with unresectable tumors (i.e., they can’t be removed
through surgery) may advantage from a chemotherapy treatment of pemetrexed,
cisplatin, and bevacizumab.
Finally, in some cases, clinical trials can provide a final
hope for improving prognosis in some patients. These trials are recognized as
research venues for new treatments like immunotherapy, gene therapy, and
photodynamic therapy, which offer promising results.
Mesothelioma Prognosis and Treatment Costs
Mesothelioma treatment costs can be significant, in spite of
of a patient’s prognosis. Some insurance companies may not cover the costs of
diagnostic tests, clinical trials, or other experimental therapies. In many
cases, there are related costs such as travel, lost wages, and secondary
conditions that need to be paid for, as well.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma,
consider taking steps to help counterbalance this potential financial burden.
Learn about the financial assistance that is available.
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