Mesothelioma survival rate

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Guys! Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that attacks the lungs 75 percent of the time, the stomach (peritoneum) 15 to 20 percent and the heart (pericardium) 5 percent of the time. Mesothelioma has a long latency period. The disease is from exposure to asbestos. Latency means that it takes a long time from asbestos exposure to diagnose it. The latency period can be as much as four or five decades before symptoms appear. Once a patient is given the diagnosis of mesothelioma the patient and doctor generally discuss the prognosis for the patient. Medical experts report that the average life expectancy following diagnosis is in the range of eight to 14 months. However, a number of factors contribute to life expectancy and influences each patient’s prognosis. These statistics include all patients with diagnosis of mesothelioma. But, patients who diagnosed with stage 1 or stage 2 mesothelioma can be treated and even cured; the outlook for patients diagnosed with stage 3 or 4 mesothelioma is much grimmer, treatment of these patients is generally palliative. Mesothelioma prognosis uses a medical measurement called the relative five-year mesothelioma survival rate. At present this is about ten percent of diagnosed patients. This is not a great number; however, it is a bit higher than 20 years ago. Over the last 20 years the one year survival rate has improved too, it sits at about 40 percent. However, overall, the mesothelioma survival rate is low. Have a nice day.