Mesothelioma Life Expectancy

For the past few years, doctors and scientists have tried to improve mesothelioma life expectancy through different therapies and treatment options. Although there is no definite cure for this disease, patients may still undergo treatment to prolong their lives and ease the symptoms they are experiencing.
Mesothelioma refers to a type of cancer that may affect the protective tissue that lines the stomach, heart, lungs, and other important organs. Although it is a very rare condition, this serious type of cancer may affect anyone who is constantly exposed to harmful asbestos particles. Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy are only some of the treatment options available for this disease.
Factors that may affect mesothelioma life expectancy
Unlike other types of cancers with symptoms that may become obvious at an early stage, the symptoms of mesothelioma may arise after decades of exposure to asbestos. Its long period of latency results in late diagnosis, which makes it harder to detect the disease during its early stages. Patients who were diagnosed with this disease at a later stage may receive palliative treatments that can help them cope with its symptoms.
According to clinical reports, the average age of patients suffering from this disease is sixty. More than seventy-five percent of current mesothelioma cases occur in men who are already fifty-five years old or older. However, the average age has continued to drop due to the increase of cases caused by secondary exposure. Older patients have shorter mesothelioma life expectancy because they are already suffering from other health issues such as lung ailments, high blood pressure, or heart disease.
The different types of mesothelioma may also affect the patients response to treatment. Pleural mesothelioma, the most common type of this disease, usually affects the lungs. Other types may include pericardial ad peritoneal mesothelioma, which may affect the tissue lining in the abdomen or heart. Since pleural mesothelioma is more common than other types, patients suffering from this disease have greater chances of survival because of the extensive research available for devising treatment plans.
Obviously, smoking can directly affect a patients chances of surviving from this disease and the mesothelioma life expectancy can greatly decrease. Anyone who has been diagnosed with this disease needs to stop smoking in order to prevent its symptoms from worsening. This simple step can improve their condition and slow down the spread of malignant cells in their body.
Thanks to researchers who are dedicated to understanding mesothelioma, different treatment options are already available for patients suffering from this disease. The influx of different clinical trials confirmed the efficiency of promising alternative treatments for this serious health condition. Once new tests have been devised for detecting this disease at an earlier stage, mesothelioma life expectancy will greatly increase.

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