Mesothelioma Prognosis
The prognosis for mesothelioma is bad, since most patients live less than a year. The type of mesothelioma, the stage of cancer and the health of the patient are the three most important factors used to determine the prognosis. The prognosis of mesothelioma can be improved by receiving treatment at a center that has a multidisciplinary medical team that has experience in the evaluation and treatment of mesothelioma.Malignant mesothelioma is aggressive and has a long latency period, which means that it is usually not detected until the cancer has reached an advanced stage. There is no cure for mesothelioma, although the prognosis has been improving slowly over the years. This improvement in prognosis is due to the development of experimental treatments, new methods of detection and diagnosis and other areas of research in clinical trials.
Prognosis by mesothelioma type
The type of mesothelioma, which is determined by the location where it develops for the first time, has an effect on the prognosis of the disease.Pleural mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma affects the lining of the lungs and is the most common type of mesothelioma, accounting for 80-90% of all diagnoses. The treatment is usually multimodal and, on average, patients with pleural mesothelioma who receive some type of treatment live 12 months after diagnosis. Some treatments have been linked to slightly longer survival times, such as chemotherapy with pemetrexed (Alimta), cisplatin, and bevacizumab (Avastin).Peritoneal mesothelioma
Peritoneal mesothelioma affects the lining of the abdomen and is the second most common type of mesothelioma, accounting for 15% to 20% of cases. Common treatments often involve surgery and chemotherapy. The average survival period for patients with peritoneal mesothelioma is one year. However, patients who are healthy enough to undergo surgery and intraperitoneal hyperthermic chemotherapy (HIPEC) have been able to improve the prognosis, with a 5-year survival rate of up to 67%.Pericardial mesothelioma
Pericardial mesothelioma is observed in the coatings of the heart and is one of the rarest forms of the disease, observed in 1 to 2% of mesothelioma diagnoses. This type has a very poor prognosis of approximately six months, with many cases that are not properly diagnosed until an autopsy is performed. With early detection, treatment is usually palliative to improve symptoms and quality of life.Testicular mesothelioma
Testicular mesothelioma is seen in the lining of the testicles and is the rarest of the four types, seen in only 1% of all cases diagnosed. The prognosis for patients with testicular mesothelioma is usually 20 to 23 months, although some have lived much longer. The treatment implies a multimodal approach of surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.What factors affect the prognosis of mesothelioma?
There are five main factors that doctors consider when determining a prognosis for patients with mesothelioma. While these factors can help physicians provide patients with a prognosis, the progression of the disease will still be different depending on the case.Stage
The stage is the most important factor in determining a patient's prognosis. Patients diagnosed at an early stage of mesothelioma will have more treatment options and a better prognosis than those diagnosed at a later stage. Life expectancy for patients in stage 1 is usually 21 months or more, and 19 months for patients in stage 2. In stages 3 and 4, patients usually only have options for palliative treatment to prolong life and Improve Life Quality. On average, patients in stage 3 have a life expectancy of 16 months, while patients in stage 4 survive approximately 12 months after diagnosis.Sarcomatoid mesothelioma has the least favorable prognosis of these cell types, as these cells spread aggressively and do not respond as well to cancer treatments. In some cases, patients can be diagnosed with other types of rare cells, which have prognoses ranging from a few months to 10 years or more.
Location
The average life expectancy varies for patients diagnosed with pleural, peritoneal, pericardial and testicular mesothelioma. Testicular patients have a favorable prognosis with an average survival of around 20 to 23 months. Peritoneal patients generally survive a year or more, and patients with pleural mesothelioma have an average prognosis of about six months to a year. Pericardial patients have the least favorable prognosis of types, with many diagnosed posthumously.Health in general
Patients who are relatively young and healthy may have a better prognosis because their bodies can handle aggressive treatments. Older patients may not be able to withstand the side effects of surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy, and they also tend to have other conditions that can make the disease worse or limit treatment options. In general, general poor health will limit treatment options and reduce the life expectancy of patients who face a diagnosis of mesothelioma.Improvement of the prognosis before diagnosis
The best way to improve the prognosis of a mesothelioma is to diagnose the disease early. By using blood tests to identify certain biomarkers (high levels of specific substances in the blood), researchers have been able to find new ways to detect mesothelioma early.The first thing people can do is understand the relationship between mesothelioma and asbestos exposure. If they were exposed to asbestos in the past, or if symptoms of mesothelioma occur, patients should seek professional medical advice.
Improvement of the prognosis after diagnosis
After a diagnosis of mesothelioma, the overall prognosis depends on the type of cell, the location and stage of the cancer, as well as the age, sex and general health of the patient.Apart from early detection, treatment is the best way to improve survival. Some treatments have been shown to be more effective in improving the prognosis than others. For example, surgery combined with HIPEC has significantly improved the prognosis for some patients with peritoneal mesothelioma.
At least half of the patients who undergo this treatment survive five years or more. Patients with tumors that can not be removed by surgery may benefit from chemotherapy with pemetrexed, cisplatin, and bevacizumab. Immunotherapy treatments have also shown promise in mesothelioma and are now an option for many patients. Radiotherapy can also be used in a multimodal treatment plan.
Clinical trials may provide a final hope for improving the prognosis in some patients. These trials offer promising experimental treatments such as immunotherapy, gene therapy and photodynamic therapy, which in some cases have shown greater life expectancy.
While some of these prognostic factors can not be changed, patients should make sure they lead a healthy lifestyle by eating well and exercising regularly. Participating in holistic practices such as meditation, massage and yoga can also help relieve mental and physical stress, which can have a positive impact on the quality of life and the ability to receive treatment.
Remission and recurrence of mesothelioma
Despite a generally unfavorable prognosis, some patients with mesothelioma have been able to achieve remission and long-term survival. There are two types of mesothelioma remission: partial remission and complete remission. Partial remission indicates that the cancer is drastically improving, with at least a 30% reduction in tumor size.Complete remission indicates that the cancer has been completely eliminated or destroyed and is no longer seen in imaging studies such as computed tomography. Complete remission is more likely in patients with early detection and aggressive treatments. Although remission is a great achievement for patients, it is important to maintain frequent follow-up and monitoring to recognize any possible recurrence or re-growth of tumors after remission.
Recurrence occurs in the majority of patients with mesothelioma, even in spite of aggressive treatment. The time of recurrence and sites of recurrence depend on a variety of factors, including cell type or previous treatments.
For example, local recurrences in the thorax are more common after pleurectomy / decortication for pleural mesothelioma, whereas distant recurrence is more likely after extrapleural pneumonectomy. With different times and sites of recurrence, all patients with mesothelioma must know the risks and receive continuous professional medical care during remission and treatment.