The mesothelioma life expectancy varies among patients. There are many factors contributing to determining how long a mesothelioma patient will live. Since doctors are finding new ways to treat mesothelioma, the mesothelioma life expectancy will be better today than it was even just a few years ago. The average mesothelioma life expectancy is 4 to 18 months, but there have been cases where mesothelioma patients lived longer than 5 years.
Factors Involved in Determining Mesothelioma Life Expectancy
There are several factors to determine the life expectancy of mesothelioma patients:
- Stage of Cancer
- Tumor size
- Whether or not surgery is an option
- Patient’s age
- Patient’s health
- Tumor’s subtype
- Location of tumor
- Patient’s ability to perform everyday tasks
- Amount of fluid in the chest or abdomen
- Whether or not it is newly diagnosed mesothelioma or a recurrence
The Importance of Discovering Mesothelioma in Earlier Stages of Cancer
If mesothelioma is discovered in the earlier stages of cancer, there is a greater chance that the patient will have a longer life expectancy. Many times, however, mesothelioma is not discovered early because patients mistake symptoms for something less serious such as pneumonia or the flu. When symptoms are misdiagnosed, this pushes back when a patient is first diagnosed with mesothelioma and lessens their chances of a longer life expectancy because the person is not being treated for the correct condition.
Early Detection Can Improve Mesothelioma Life Expectancy
Mesothelioma cannot currently be cured, but with the right combination of treatment and support, mesothelioma life expectancy can improve. Some studies have shown that it may be possible for about half of patients treated in an early stage to have a life expectancy of two years, while one-fifth will have a life expectancy of five years. When mesothelioma is an advanced stage, only five percent have a life expectancy of five years.
See Your Doctor If You Suspect You May Have Mesothelioma
If you worked in a job at any time in your life where you know that you were exposed to asbestos, it is important to see a doctor. You may be feeling symptoms of mesothelioma and are attributing them to pneumonia or a chest cold. Also keep in mind that it takes approximately 18-30 years for mesothelioma symptoms to manifest. Getting diagnosed early is your best ammunition in fighting mesothelioma and may increase your life expectancy.
Symptoms of Mesothelioma to Look For
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
As the cancer progresses, other symptoms that may be present are:
- Increased shortness of breath
- Weight loss
- Decreased appetite
- Night sweats
- Voice changes caused by local invasion of the tumor
- Loss of diaphragm function
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