Mesothelioma Life Expectancy — Information on the expected life span and prognosis of a patient following a mesothelioma diagnosis
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Share ArticleMesothelioma is a rare form of cancer which targets the protective lining of the lungs, heart or stomach, called the mesothelium. The mesothelium is a very thin membrane which produces a special fluid to help lubricate the organs as they move. Another layer of mesothelium lines the abdominal and chest cavities.The most common form of mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lining of the lungs, followed by peritoneal mesothlioma, or the lining of the stomach and organs.
Although mesothelioma may seem at first glance to be very similar to other types of lung cancer, there is one noticeable difference. Mesothelioma is caused almost exclusively by exposure to asbestos, the insulating and building material which was almost ubiquitous in new construction throughout the mid-20th Century. This organic material, when it is mined, cut or otherwise damaged or disturbed, releases a toxic dust composed of microscopic fibers into the air, and anyone in the area can then breathe in these fibers. When the fibers are inhaled, they may become embedded in the mesothelium, where they cause the surrounding cells to become cancerous. Eventually, a tumor forms, although one of the most baffling and frustrating aspects of malignant mesothelioma is that the cancer may not become evident until years after the asbestos exposure occurred.
This long dormancy period complicates the diagnosis, as does the fact that mesothelioma symptoms are nonspecific and resemble symptoms of other, noncancerous conditions such as bronchitis, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema, pleurisy, influenza or even the common cold. The symptoms of mesothelioma may include breathing difficulties such as shortness of breath or painful breathing; persistent cough; bloody cough; pain the chest, neck, sides or back; wheezing; hoarseness; fatigue; difficulty swallowing; unexplained weight loss; night sweats or fever; and an appearance of subcutaneous lumps on the chest.
Many people may either ignore these symptoms or hope that they’ll go away. It’s important for anyone who is experiencing these or similar symptoms, and who has been previously exposed to asbestos, to let their doctor know of their concerns. There are screening procedures to determine whether or not mesothelioma is present and, as with most asbestos cancer, the earlier the mesothelioma is detected, the more likely it can be successfully treated. Unfortunately, most cases are not diagnosed until the later stages of development, at which time treatment options are more limited and life expectancy is shortened.
Because asbestos was so widely used during the earlier part of the last century, and because it was often used in workplaces, it is estimated that almost 75% of those that receive a mesothelioma diagnosis are men over the age of 55. However, there have been documented cases of mesothelioma that occurred because of secondhand exposure to asbestos. The microscopic fibers which can cause mesothelioma once they are inhaled or ingested can cling to workers’ clothes and hair, and therefore be transported off the job site. Spouses or children who may have breathed in these fibers, or done the laundry that was contaminated with asbestos particulate, are also at risk for developing this rare cancer.
The life expectancy for a mesothelioma patient can vary widely. Generally, the life expectancy is between four and 18 months, with under 10 percent of patients surviving past the two-year mark. The overall health of the patient, the mesothelioma treatment options that they are able to tolerate, the location of the cancer within the body, the patient’s smoking habits, and a number of other factors will all influence the patient’s survival.
There are currently three staging systems which oncologists use to determine the extent of the cancer, but all of them classify the advancement of the tumor according to a four-stage plan. In Stage I, the only stage at which mesothelioma tumors are still operable, the tumor is generally small and localized, and the cancer has not spread to the lymph nodes. Stages II and III describe increasing tumor size, increase of metastatic activity (spread of the cancer) and lymph node involvement. In Stage IV, the tumor or tumors are large and inoperable, the cancer has metastasized throughout the body, including the blood stream and lymph nodes, and the patient’s life expectancy is greatly diminished. In fact, Stage IV in some staging systems is referred to as “end-stage” mesothelioma.
In patients who are diagnosed with Stage I mesothelioma, it is estimated that 50% will live another five years if their cancer is treated aggressively. Aggressive treatment usually includes a combination of surgery and either radiation or chemotherapy, used either before or directly following the surgery to remove the tumor. Stage II patients have an average life expectancy of two to four years, and Stage III mesothelioma patients could expect to live between six to eight months after diagnosis. Individuals diagnosed in these stages are typically not good candidates for surgery, but may pursue radiation treatment or chemotherapy in order to alleviate the pain and symptoms of their cancer, and to slow or stop its spread throughout the body. They may also opt for alternative treatments, such as massage, hypnosis, acupuncture or nutritional regimens in order to make themselves more comfortable and improve their quality of life. Some earlier-stage mesothelioma patients can benefit from one of two relatively minor surgical procedures which do not aim to remove the tumor, but provide palliative benefits: thoracentesis, in which excess fluid is extracted from the lungs; and pleurodesis, which fuses the pleural layers together to prevent fluid retention.
End-stage, or Stage IV, mesothelioma patients are generally given only six months or fewer to live following their diagnosis. Since their general health is so compromised, and they may be unable to tolerate the rigors and side effects of aggressive treatment such as chemotherapy or radiation, most patients at this stage choose to fore-go treatment and instead simply take medication to alleviate the pain associated with advanced mesothelioma.
There is little chance for a cure for mesothelioma, although research is ongoing. There are a number of clinical trials being conducted all around the world, and studies into both the early diagnosis and treatment of this devastating cancer. Oncologists hope one day to be able to test for this disease, in order to improve their chances of catching it earlier, when the patient is most receptive to aggressive, possibly life-saving treatment.
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