Research scientists and doctors have struggled to improve the life expectancy of individuals with mesothelioma for decades. While there is no definitive cure for many forms of cancer, the overall life span of patients with cancers has definitely seen improvement in recent years. However, the life span of a person with mesothelioma has not significantly increased over the last 40 to 50 years.

Life Span of a Mesothelioma Patient

Though mesothelioma is much rarer than other types of cancer, the disease has had a significant impact on several industries that made widespread use of asbestos. Such industries include shipbuilding, construction, power and chemical plants, automotive, and many others. Some of the workers in these industries never even knew they were being exposed to asbestos or were at risk for developing mesothelioma.

There are a number of factors that can impact how a person reacts to the disease and how their life span and life expectancy will be affected. These include:

Latency Period – Unlike other cancers whose symptoms surface quickly, mesothelioma can lay dormant in the body for up to 50 years. This long period of latency often results in a late diagnosis of the disease. In many cases, the diagnosis is made when it has already reached Stage III or IV of development, which makes mesothelioma treatment difficult and sometimes ineffective. Mesothelioma patients diagnosed in these stages will typically receive palliative treatments rather than curative, which serve to make the patient more comfortable and increase their quality of life.
Age of Diagnosis – Most reports indicate that the average age of a mesothelioma patient is 60. If fact, more than 75 percent of cases diagnosed in the U.S. are in men over the age of 55. However, some researchers believe the average age is dropping due to the influx of cases from secondary exposure. When an older person develops mesothelioma cancer, treatment can be compromised due to the presence of other health-related problems. These might include heart disease, additional lung ailments, and high blood pressure. Advanced age and the presence of other diseases can significantly affect a patient's life span.
Types of Mesothelioma – There are three major types of mesothelioma an individual can develop. The most common form of the mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lining of the lungs. Other forms of the disease include peritoneal and pericardial mesothelioma, which affect the lining of the abdomen and heart. Cancer of the pleura has a higher survival rate than either peritoneal or pericardial mesothelioma.
Smoking – Smoking can greatly decrease the life span of an individual who has been diagnosed with mesothelioma. Anyone diagnosed with mesothelioma should quit smoking immediately.

Improving Life Expectancy

Those dedicated to researching mesothelioma are constantly testing new ways to improve the life expectancy of patients with the disease. This is accomplished largely through clinical trials, which test new drugs and treatments. Many promising alternatives to traditional treatments have materialized from clinical trials and patients often benefit from participating. Tests to detect mesothelioma in its earliest stages are also being developed, which will result in more effective treatment of the disease.

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Mesothelioma News

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