The Prognosis of Advanced Stage Mesothelioma

There is an array of features in the advancement of a patient's mesothelioma prognosis and specific variations in these features may have a significant impact on the development of the disease. The statistical models used in mesothelioma usually overlook the exceptional differences between a patient's prognosis or diagnosis and how the cancer actually influences the patient's life.

Similar to other types of cancer, staging is essential to determine the prognosis of mesothelioma. Although, statistical data for mesothelioma are quite difficult to find and the data currently existing today are unreliable. Early diagnosis and treatment of mesothelioma is imperative for a favorable prognosis. One problem is that mesothelioma is usually diagnosed at an advanced stage, thus the five year survival rate is statistically often unreliable. Stage IV mesothelioma cancer has distant organ metastasis and is untreatable at this stage thus giving it a poor prognosis. Treatment at this terminal stage usually consists of pain management and supportive care.

Mesothelioma's latency period is usually about 10 to 30 years with symptoms such as breathing problems and a decrease of lung elasticity. For approximately two thirds of mesothelioma patients, pleural and peritoneal effusion is a main symptomatic problem. For stage II mesothelioma patients, single agent and combined chemotherapy have resulted in increased response rates, although causing higher levels of toxicity. Also, there is minimal evidence of which combination treatments results in longer survival or better control of the symptoms.

The diagnostic procedure of malignant mesothelioma starts with a systematic medical history to record the patient's symptoms and any possible exposure to asbestos, continued with a thorough physical examination. Diagnosis is continued with additional examinations such as chest or abdominal X-ray, computed tomography scan (CT scan) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). One important aspect to consider is that signs and symptoms of mesothelioma are quite similar to other cancers and lung diseases.

The level of symptomatic severity varies for each individual, although in a majority of cases the development of Pleural Mesothelioma is quite slow with symptoms localized in the chest such as chest pain. At times, the chest pain is accompanied by severe breathing problems or shortness of breath. Symptoms such as breathlessness, coughing, and chest pain shows advancement of asbestosis and this usually causes the sufferer to seek medical care. After taking the patient's history and general physical examinations, the physician will usually order chest imaging studies such as X-rays, MRI, CT scan to assess the lungs.

Patients suffering from mesothelioma have symptoms similar to other lung diseases which the physician may not even think to be correlated to asbestos let alone malignant mesothelioma. Usually, malignant mesothelioma develops within 10 to 30 years and during this period of latency patients suffering from this disease may have minimal to no symptoms. Several of these signs and symptoms develop in an advanced stage of the cancer which maybe accompanied with distant metastasis to other organs of the body. Men have a higher risk to develop this disease and the risk increases with age.

Although surgery is quite successful for palliative control of the symptoms, it only has a minimal effect on the median survival rate since it is a radical form of treatment. Pleurectomy or decortications can be done to alleviate the symptoms in pleural mesothelioma. Several other procedures, like thoracentesis can be done to drain pleural effusion and prevent them from recurring. Extrapleural pneumonectomy which is known as a radical treatment approach will have an average survival rate of approximately 15-24 months.

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Holding Manufacturers Financially Liable for Mesothelioma

"Cancer" is a scary word, but a diagnosis of mesothelioma cancer is particularly difficult because the disease is considered incurable. What's worse, many people suffering from mesothelioma were exposed to the substance that can cause it - asbestos - on the job. And in many cases, companies knew about the dangers of asbestos and did nothing to warn workers.

What Did They Know?

Asbestos is a silicate mineral used in manufacturing due to its strength and resistance to heat and fire. When inhaled, asbestos fibers can get inside the membrane that lines the lung cavity, among other tissues. This can cause cells to divide abnormally, and the result is cancer. Another complication from asbestos exposure is asbestosis, which results when the lungs have become scarred from the inhalation of asbestos, resulting in breathing difficulties. The effects of asbestos exposure can't be reversed; symptoms can only be managed.

As early as 1937, the American Petroleum Institute wrote a document warning about the dangers of industrial dust. Most manufacturers apparently didn't care. Even the government failed to act until 1972, when the Occupational Health and Safety Administration enacted asbestos safety rules. Meanwhile, people who worked in industries like insulation manufacturing, shipbuilding, refining, construction and mining were exposed to asbestos on a daily basis.

Most often, people who develop this type of cancer get pleural mesothelioma, in which tumors grow along the lining of the pleural cavity that holds the lungs. It's a particularly painful disease because tumors eventually press on the lungs, kicking off the effects of pleural effusion, wherein fluid rushes to the area. Other times, people develop mesothelioma in the lining around the heart (pericardial mesothelioma) or the stomach (peritoneal mesothelioma). No matter the location, the prognosis of mesothelioma is the same: it will ultimately kill you.

Making Manufacturers Pay

In the last decade, mesothelioma patients and their families have sought to bring employers who knew about the danger to justice through legal action resulting in monetary settlements. Money will never restore a terminal cancer patient to health or bring back a lost loved one, but it helps pay bills and lost wages and sends the message that big business isn't above the law. The good news is that many mesothelioma victims have received settlements ranging in the tens and even hundreds of millions of dollars from major corporations in steel, oil and other industries.

It's in large part because of mesothelioma lawsuits and their related investigations that proof has come to light about companies' knowledge of asbestos dangers. It's been shown that, rather than correcting the problem and protecting their employees, many companies chose to look the other way in the name of profit. They are now paying for that negligence to the tune of millions of dollars.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer, it is a good idea to consult a personal injury lawyer, such as a Seattle, New Jersey or Pensacola personal injury lawyer, regarding the possibility of financial compensation.

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Understanding a Mesothelioma Prognosis

A mesothelioma prognosis can range for a variety of different patients. Some may experience difficult prognosis and others may receive better and more positive news. Either way, mesothelioma remains a very serious disease that comes with a high fatality rate. This is why legal action against those that place people at risk to contracting mesothelioma is so aggressive.

Mesothelioma derives from exposure to asbestos which was commonly found in pipes in prior generations. At the time, it was not considered a harmful substance. Over the past two decades, the fact that exposure to asbestos can cause cancer was revealed. As a result, building owners have a responsibility to have asbestos detected and removed. Sadly, this does not always happen which leads to the unfortunate issue of those exposed suffering from this horrific form of cancer. Once a diagnosis has been made, the patient then needs to seek treatment.

Mesothelioma prognosis occurs immediately after the patient learns that he/she has the disease. A prognosis can be considered an overview of what the cancer will do in the body. The prognosis of what the course the cancer will follow will be dependent on many factors. Obviously, these factors will play a large role in whether or not the prognosis is a good or bad one.

One factor that can potentially impact whether or not the prognosis is positive will be early detection. The longer it takes for the cancer to be detected, the worse the prognosis will generally be. This is because the cancer will continue to spread if it is not detected and treatment starts. If the cancer has not spread significantly then the ability to treat it is enhanced. This is why those that feel they have been exposed to asbestos need to take immediate action and contact their physician for a complete examination.

Detection of mesothelioma will also entail determining where the cancer actually is. If the tumor is located in one area of the body, it may be likely that it can be surgically removed. If the tumors are spreading throughout the body then surgery could prove complicated or potentially impossible.

Once the cancer has been detected, the stage the cancer is in will be determined. There are four stages in a mesothelioma prognosis with stages three and four being the more severe and advanced. Anyone that is currently in such a stage would have a difficult time beating the cancer. Conversely, those that catch the condition early enough may be able to take steps needed to send the cancer in remission.

Again, this is why early detection is so important when discussing the prognosis of the mesothelioma. If the cancer can be caught in the very early stages, survival rate increases. Yet, no matter how early the cancer is detected, it will always remain life threatening with no guarantees the treatment will work. Such information is not presented to be downbeat. It is mentioned to explain the severity of the disease so that anyone that may have been exposed to asbestos understand the necessity of seeking a proper diagnosis from a physician.

The patient's overall health will play a role in the prognosis. This is not to say a person can be so healthy that the treatment will be "easier." However, a healthy person will have a stronger immune system and will be able to handle the treatment needed to deal with the cancer. Surviving mesothelioma is not easy. Some may find that survival of five years or so is the maximum they can achieve. Again, the individual's overall health will play a factor in the ability to handle the treatment.

Those that have been exposed to asbestos through negligence and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma should explore their legal options. The reason for this is there are a lot of costs associated with mesothelioma treatment along with great financial strain due to the inability to work when dealing with such cancer. A qualified attorney with experience handling mesothelioma cases would be the best professional to work with in such a situation.

A mesothelioma prognosis is a serious one. It requires immediate medical treatment and should also include the search for proper legal representation. Doing so makes the ability to deal with the condition more tolerable.

Leigh White invites you to check out her site about Mesothelioma Compensation Resources where she is working on more articles like this one about Mesothelioma Prognosis News.

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Advanced Mesothelioma Prognosis

There are a variety of details in the advancement of a person's mesothelioma prognosis and fine differences amongst these details may have a dramatic impact on the course the disease will take. The statistical models employed in mesothelioma often miss the extraordinary differences between a person's stated prognosis/diagnosis and the way in which the disease actually impacts his or her life.

Stage is important for determining mesothelioma prognosis because it can be for other cancers. However, mesothelioma stats are hard to find, and the stats that exist are unreliable. Early diagnosis and remedy are a lot of important in looking for a favorable mesothelioma prognosis. Since mesothelioma is usually diagnosed at an advanced stage, the statistics for you to five year survival are usually unreliable. At Stage IV, mesothelioma has spread to other organs, and since a cure is not possible, the mesothelioma prognosis is poor. Remedy at this stage consists mainly of pain management and supportive care.

The latency period with this disease is usually 10 to 30 years, and symptoms include breathing difficulties and a decrease in the elasticity of the lungs. Effusions, both pleural and peritoneal, represent major symptomatic problems for at least two thirds of the patients. Unfortunately, the duration of symptom control is short-lived. Single agent and combimed chemotherapy have reported higher response rates in STAGE II patients, however the toxicity reported is also higher and there is no evidence which combination treatments cause longer survival or longer control of the symptoms.

Diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma begins with a thorough medical history to document the patient's symptoms and any conceivable asbestos exposure, followed by a complete physical examination. These steps are generally followed by a chest or abdominal x-ray, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. The symptoms of mesothelioma are similar to other lung diseases and cancers.

The severity of the affliction varies from person to person, but in most cases the onset of Pleural Mesothelioma is usually very slow with the a lot of frequent presenting symptom being persistent pain localized in the chest. Sometimes the pain is accompanied by severe difficulty in breathing or shortness of breath. The advancement of asbestosis symptoms including coughing, breathlessness and chest pain typically prompts a sufferer to seek medical attention. Following an initial physical assessment of the patient, a physician will employ the use of a chest imaging scan (x-ray, MRI, CT scan) thus as to view the lungs.

Mesothelioma patients have such common symptoms which the md can not even consider the illness to be asbestos-related let alone malignant mesothelioma. This is a symptom that develops in the later stages of the disease. However, it is critical to note which these tumors are able to spread to various parts of the body, affecting various organs. Surgery, while used successfully for palliative control of symptoms, has only minimal effect on median survival times whenever used because a radical treatment. Extrapleural pneumonectomy, defined as a "radical treatment" is associated with a median survival of 15-24 months.

Typically, mesothelioma takes 10 to 50 years to develop, and during this latency period, sufferers may have no symptoms. Furthermore, mesothelioma happens more often in men than in patient and risk increases with age. Pleurectomy/decortication can be performed to relieve symptoms in pleural mesothelioma. Other procedures such as thoracentesis may be performed to drain pleural effusions and prevent them from recurring. Other symptoms include hoarseness, coughing up blood, swelling of the face and arms, muscle weakness, and sensory loss.

Learn more about Mesothelioma and Asbestos related disease here Asbestos Related Disease [http://asbestos-related-disease.com/] and also here Mesothelioma Prognosis [http://asbestos-related-disease.com/mesothelioma-prognosis.html].

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What Is Mesothelioma? Types and Treatment Options

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer which affects the mesothelium. The mesothelium is a thin membrane which covers the heart, lungs and other internal organs. You normally get this disease from being exposed to asbestos fibers at some point in your life.

Types of mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is the most common form is pleural mesothelioma which develops within the mesothelium. Pleural mesothelioma will develop in the pleural membrane which is the lungs lining.

Breathing in asbestos fibers is the cause of pleural mesothelioma. Upon entering the lungs, the asbestos fibers will work their way into the lungs pleural membrane. Once in there, the body will find it almost impossible to get rid of them. Over a period of several decades, the asbestos fibers will cause the pleural cells to change. These changes may lead to the lungs becoming scarred and, eventually, tumors forming.

Once the cells of the pleural membrane turn cancerous, they will continuously divide, leading to a reduction in lung capacity and causing fluid to buildup between the layers of the pleural membrane.

Because pleural mesothelioma is usually not caught until the later stages of the disease, the prognosis for the patient is normally poor. But, if the disease is caught in the early stages, then the patient's prognosis as well as the life expectancy will be much improved.

Peritoneal mesothelioma
Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma - this is a very rare form of cancer which strikes the peritoneum (the cell walls surrounding the abdominal cavity. The peritoneum lubricates the abdominal cavity which allows the surrounding internal organs and body structures to expand and contract. Peritoneal mesothelioma is very rare with fewer than 500 people contracting this form of cancer each year.

Several decades after asbestos fibers are breathed in or ingested; cancer will develop in the patient's abdomen. Modern tests can diagnose whether or not a patient has peritoneal mesothelioma. Despite the fact that it is not usually diagnosed until it is in the later stages, there are still some treatment options.

Although some patients may qualify for surgery and other curative treatment options, other patients may simply choose palliative measures. Most patients with peritoneal mesothelioma survive for less than a year. However, with the proper treatment, life expectancy could increase. A mesothelioma specialist can help patients find the best treatment options for their cancer, which might improve the patient's prognosis.

According to some studies, the average life expectancy of a man diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma is 7 months, although a few men have survived for almost 100 months. Women usually survive for approximately 9 months after being diagnosed, with a few women surviving for a maximum of 49 months. Patients whose mesothelioma was caught early and with less severe symptoms naturally have a better prognosis.

Mesothelioma treatment options
When it comes to treating cancer, doctors focus on killing the malignant cells and saving the healthy ones. There are several ways to do this.

Doctors will utilize chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation or a combination of all three as the most effective way to treat mesothelioma. The treatment that will be recommended is dependent on several issues:

The type and location of the mesothelioma
How big are the tumors?
How much the cancer has metastasized?
What stage the cancer is in.
The patient's age
The patient's overall health

Several types of doctors will be involved in treating the cancer such as an oncologist or cancer specialist, a radiologist, and a pulmonologist or lung specialist. It can take time to figure out the precise location and variety of the cancer, but determining these factors will enable the oncologist to prescribe the most effective mesothelioma treatment.

Click Here to learn more about mesothelioma treatment options that may save your life.

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Mesothelioma Survival - What Are the Chances?

Every year, about 3000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in the United States alone. Unfortunately, mesothelioma is an aggressive and usually fatal type of cancer that results from asbestos exposure. This disease occurs when microscopic asbestos fibers are inhaled and get lodged into the linings of the lungs.

What are the chances for mesothelioma survival once a victim gets diagnosed? Sadly, not many victims of mesothelioma survive more than five years after the diagnosis has been made. Mesothelioma survival chances are increased if the disease is caught early. However, this kind of cancer is difficult to detect in its early stages. Once it is detected and diagnosed, it is oftentimes in its advanced stage and too late for a definitive cure. According to reliable sources, less than 10% of mesothelioma sufferers get the chance to survive more than 5 years, while about 40% of sufferers survive more than a year after diagnosis.

As in all forms of cancer, mesothelioma survival rates depend on various factors. These include:

* The current stage of the cancer. The stages of mesothelioma range from Stage One, which primarily means that the tumor is localized in the chest lining, to Stage Four, meaning that the tumor has spread to other vital organs.

* The histology (cell structure and type) of the cancer. Mesothelioma cancer can come as epithelial, which has better prognosis, sarcomatoid, biphasic or desmoplastic.

* The overall health condition and age of the sufferer. The malignant forms of mesothelioma are oftentimes diagnosed in sufferers above the age of 55. Generally, the older the victim is, or the more chronic illnesses associated with the disease, the less chance there is for mesothelioma survival.

* The size and location of the tumor (whether the tumor is operable or not.)

* The extent of the symptoms, such as whether fluid buildup has been observed in the lungs or abdomen.

Mesothelioma is a serious condition which demands immediate medical attention. Although there is no proven cure for mesothelioma, various treatment options are available to prevent the disease from spreading and also to reduce pain and suffering for the victim.

These treatment options may increase the chances for mesothelioma survival. According to various studies, victims administered with chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery, or a combination of any two or three, have a survival rate of at least 18 months after undertaking the procedures.

Today, many experimental treatments are being evaluated throughout the world in controlled clinical trials. These include Photodynamic Therapy, Immunotherapy, Heat Therapy and Gene Therapy.

To learn more about Mesothelioma Cancer including the various Mesothelioma Treatment Options, visit Mesothelioma Facts where we provide all of this and much more!

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Mesothelioma Prognosis And Treatments

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that frequently will manifest itself in the outer lining of the lungs, known as the pleura. However it may also emerge in the lining of a number of other body organs. The organ's lining is known as the mesothelium. It's most common cause is from being exposed to asbestos. Mesothelioma prognosis, diagnosis and remedies are continuously being assessed and researched.

Getting fast diagnosis may very well allow a person to get a more positive Mesothelioma prognosis. Signs and symptoms that may signal Pleural Mesothelioma resemble those of folks who are suffering from pneumonia and other related ailments can experience. Shortness of breath, fluid around the lungs and chest wall, chest pain and weight loss can be the most obvious signs of the illness.

Despite the fact that a Mesothelioma prognosis can be distressing, many discovered with the disease have lived a lot longer than initially predicted. In spite of the negative reports, one individual lived for twenty years following being informed he had a variety of the illness identified as peritoneal mesothelioma. Another affected individual, with the very same diagnosis, in 1997 was given one year to live and is still living today.

If a specialist suspects Pleural Mesothelioma he or she is going to request an x-ray, cat scan or MRI of the chest and lungs. If the tests show indications of the disease he's going to take a biopsy to confirm his suspicions. He will use a thoracoscope to check inside the chest to recover tissue samples. When the physician suspects Mesothelioma in the abdominal area he will do a the same procedure called a laparoscopy to get tissue from the abdominal area.

After the medical diagnosis, Mesothelioma treatment will often include surgery to take out the affected tissue or tumors. The surgery is normally followed up with radiation and chemotherapy. These types of treatments are performed to give the patient an extended life expectancy resulting in an improved Mesothelioma prognosis.

Even though there have been many more incidents of Mesothelioma recorded since 1980, it's still regarded a rare disease. This disease has been submitted from several locations around the world however in most cases from Australia, Britain and Belgium.

Right after becoming identified as having any sort of terminal illness it is very important to be a pro-active patient. Find as much information as you possibly can about the different methods and treatment options available. You will find support groups that meet to offer other patients battling with related diseases new information on what has and hasn't worked for them. These types of support groups also offer encouragement for anyone who have recently been given upsetting information that they have some type of fatal cancer.

Different treatment options are often learned from regular members of such groups that aren't generally offered by conventional medicine. Herbal medicines have often shown to be pretty useful.

If your are suffering from the signs of Pleural Mesothelioma please visit our website Pleural Mesothelioma Prognosis [http://pleuralmesotheliomaprognosis.org/].org today to obtain more detailed information about the different forms of Mesothelioma and treatment plans.

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