Mesothelioma Life Expectancy

Because of mesothelioma's long latency period, many people don't realize they are living with cancer until the disease has progressed to its advanced stages. At this point, surgery may or may not be an option, depending on how strong the person's body is. In addition, most patients are above the age of 50 and therefore respond poorly to aggressive treatment methods.

As a result of these factors, a patient's life expectancy may not be long. However, extensive research is being conducted through clinical trials and other studies to discover more effective drugs and treatment methods for greatly lengthening this span of time.

Significant Factors

As noted, many factors can affect a patient's life expectancy:

Stage: If diagnosed at an early stage, the cancer can be treated with the help of curative treatment methods, which remove the tumor and prevent it from spreading. In the advanced stages of mesothelioma, the only options are palliative treatment methods. These are more directed toward helping patients cope with uncomfortable symptoms.
Type: Mesothelioma can be classified into three main forms: pleural, peritoneal, and pericardial. Pleural mesothelioma is the most common form of the cancer and thus has considerably more treatment options than the other forms.
Smoking Habits and General Health: Though smoking does not directly lead to mesothelioma, it can weaken the immune system's ability to fight the cancer. If the patient is suffering from other health complications, he or she may not be able to withstand aggressive mesothelioma treatment methods.

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Improving Life Expectancy

There are several ways mesothelioma patients can improve their life expectancy. Finding the right doctor is chief among them. Doctors who specialize in mesothelioma often treat the disease through a combination of traditional treatment methods (chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation), emerging therapies (immunotherapy, gene therapy), and non-traditional techniques (massage, acupuncture, meditation, and yoga). Some patients explore nutritional herbs, supplements, and foods. Participating in clinical trials that test new drugs and treatment methods also gives mesothelioma patients a chance to increase their life expectancy.

If you are interested in finding a top mesothelioma doctor, please fill out our form. We will overnight you a mesothelioma information packet that will assist you in your questions, be they medical or legal.

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