Ratio of survival in mesothelioma

Ratio of survival in mesothelioma

Being diagnosed with mesothelioma is difficult news to patients and their loved ones. And what can be more painful still is to give you the hope of survival is very low. Although investigations have not been concluded, the evidence leads the doctors to believe that half the patients survive only between 4 and 11 months after diagnosis.

Statistics on survival rates can be difficult to understand and accept. To be better informed about treatment options that are available to patients fill out the form below and shown by síntomasmesotelioma.com receive a full information pack.

Since it is difficult to know the diagnosis and USA 3,000 cases of mesothelioma, more clinical trials and experimental treatments that aim to improve this number are performed are diagnosed. According to the American Cancer Society, 40% of patients survive more than 1 year and 10% not more than 5 years.

Latency period
One factor that seriously affects the survival ratio is the latency period between initial exposure and onset of symptoms. This period can range from 20 to 50 years, giving the mesothelioma a long period to establish itself in the body of the patient. Besides the early symptoms of the disease can be confused with those of other diseases. And by the time the doctor has diagnosed the disease, the cancer is in an advanced stage.

Stages of Mesothelioma
stages of mesotheliomaThe stage of cancer also impacts survival ratios. Patients who are in stage I or II have optimal chances due to the diversity of treatments available. For example, if the cancer is diagnosed early, the doctor can resect the tumor before spreading.

Patients in stage 3 or 4, have little hope of survival for the cancer will spread to other parts of the body, making treatment more difficult. Many patients in these phases palliative care to minimize their suffering and maintain their quality of life everything possible.

Because this cancer has a long latency period, many cases are not diagnosed until they meet in the finals. Therefore early detection is a key mesothelioma survival. The medical book "mesothelioma", states that the patient complaining of breathing limitation is more likely to survive than those who complain of pain. This may be because those with pain often have a solid tumor compared with those with a pleural effusion are those who complain of limitation in breathing.

Treatment Options
The type of treatment is also a factor that affects survival ratios. Patients typically receive a combination of chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy. These three options are the only medically accepted as treatments used to cure mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma TreatmentHowever, some patients, especially those who are in an advanced stage, opt for experimental treatments. Many patients choose to voluntarily undergo clinical trials., Although risks have posed an alternative to access new drugs intended to cure patients of mesothelioma.

Additionally, patients may find hope in alternative and complementary treatments. These treatments include holistic approaches such as reiki or yoga. Alternatives include hydrotherapy, pet therapy or even psychic intervention. These therapies are not used as curative but palliative methods as themselves do not cure cancer. Regularly these treatments are used in conjunction with other more conventional treatments such as reducing pain and stress.

Doctors treat mesothelioma aggressively as possible, knowing that time is never on the side of patients.

Type and location
Another important factor that affects the survival ratios is the location and type of cancer. TYPE mesothelioma refers to the type of tissue that is affected by cancer. Epithelial mesothelioma patients are more likely to survive in comparison to other cancers. The most common form, epithelial mesothelioma, accounting for 50% of cancer cases and usually has the best prognosis.

 Mesothelioma cancerThe second type of sarcomatoid mesothelioma cancer that accounts for 16% of cases. It tends to be the most aggressive and usually does not respond well to chemotherapy. This form has also demonstrated an early recurrence after surgery.

The third type is the biphasic mesothelioma, which is a combination of the other two and represents 34% of cases. On this subtype relative to the proportion of sarcomatous cells and epithelial variant.

According to the Research Foundation of mesothelioma, the evidence shows that combinations of these three has the most favorable prognosis is the epithelium which is suffered by a patient under 50 years and not have committed the lymph node.

Besides the type of mesothelioma, another factor that affects the survival of mesothelioma is the location of the tumor. The patient has better chances of survival is having a cancer located in the pleura. In pleural mesothelioma cancer is located in the layer of the lungs and accounts for 75 percent of mesothelioma cases.

When the tumor is located in the abdominal area, the cancer is called peritoneal mesothelioma. This form accounts for 15-20% of cases. Another way is the pericardial mesothelioma originates in the pericardial layer of the heart. It is a rare form of cancer and accounts for 5% of cases have been reported Additionally although testicular mesothelioma is so rare that between 1973 and 1999 accounted for only 7% of cases. Since there are only cases that have to do with the lining of the testicles, little is known about their treatment and few studies have been done about it.

Additional factors in relation to the survival
The general condition of the patient also affects survival. Younger patients typically survive more than older people, and also that these are fighting both against other diseases. However, any patient suffering from other diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, kidney problems, as l will descend survival rates due to the limitation they have on treatment options and limitations in the immune system.

Statistics and data can be extremely discouraging for the patient, so it is important to know that the statistics are pure averages and do not reflect the individual situation. According to the American Cancer Society "These numbers are based on patients who have been treated for several years. The improvements in treatments mean that survival statistics are to be best for those who have been diagnosed. "