Mesothelioma patients can benefit from understanding the factors that affect their prognosis, because some factors cannot be changed while others can be altered, such as lifestyle choices.
asbestos exposure is the primary cause of mesothelioma cancer. Exposure occurs by either inhaling or ingesting microscopic asbestos fibers. These tiny fibers have the potential to become lodged in the lining of the lungs, heart or abdominal cavity, where they may cause damage that leads to cancer.
Due to the long latency period of symptoms, which can range between 20 and 50 years after exposure, the cancer is usually diagnosed in later stages of development. Treatments are less effective in later stages of development, and since there is no cure for this cancer the average mesothelioma life expectancy is currently four to 18 months.
There are a range of factors that affect a mesothelioma patient’s prognosis, and the most influential is the stage in which a patient is diagnosed. Patients who are diagnosed early have the greatest chance of survival and often report the longest life spans.
Other factors that affect prognosis that can’t be controlled are age and general health at diagnosis, location and size of the tumor and whether it can be removed surgically, type of mesothelioma cancer cells involved, amount of fluid in the affected region, and whether the patient was a smoker at some point in their life.
Prognostic factors that can be controlled include smoking cigarettes, diet and proper nutrition, physical activity, reducing stress, and other health enhancing lifestyle practices. Because early detection is the key to improving mesothelioma prognosis, anyone who has been exposed to asbestos should inform their physician and seek annual medical exams for signs of asbestos disease.
Additional information about mesothelioma may be found through the mesothelioma Center.