Mesothelioma Treatment and PrognosisThe prognosis for mesothelioma is dependent on a variety of factors, such as the stage of cancer and the type. Treatment options are more effective for patients with mesothelioma that is detected at an earlier stage.Additionally, experimental treatment for mesothelioma who undergo pleurectomy or decortication surgery have a better prognosis. Mesothelioma specialists can assist patients to explore treatment options, which include clinical trials.Early DetectionIn general the earlier a person is diagnosed with mesothelioma the better their prognosis. Even with the best treatment, some people will not survive being diagnosed with mesothelioma. Research is underway to discover ways to detect this disease earlier. One promising test is the Mesomark assay that detects a biomarker released by mesothelioma cancer cells into the bloodstream. This biomarker can stay elevated for many years before symptoms appear which makes it possible to detect mesothelioma earlier.The prognosis of a patient who has mesothelioma can be affected by the patient's symptoms background, type of mesothelioma and location of the cancer. Patients who have pleural or pericardial mesothelioma have a better outlook than those suffering from sarcomatoid and pericardial mesothelioma.Other factors that can impact mesothelioma prognosis include the cancer stage at diagnosis as well as the patient's age and gender. Women have a higher chance of being diagnosed for mesothelioma than males. People who are younger, healthy and diagnosed with mesothelioma are more likely to survive.The prognosis of a person diagnosed with mesothelioma can be affected by the type of surgery they undergo. For example, patients who undergo a pleurectomy/decortication surgery have the best prognosis as it removes most, if not all, visible tumors in their lungs. Patients who undergo extrapleural pneumonectomy (which involves the removal of a small portion of the lung) do not have as good a prognosis.Several things can be done to improve mesothelioma prognosis, such as seeking an opinion by a mesothelioma doctor and enrolling in clinical trials for new treatments. Following a physician's advice regarding exercise, diet, and reducing body stress can help patients remain healthy. Some mesothelioma survivors have overcome their initial prognoses and achieved remission, which means that they are not showing any symptoms of mesothelioma that is active.SurgeryMesothelioma prognosis depends on various factors, including stage of cancer, the type of cell and other factors that are that are within the control of the patient. A positive response to treatment could prolong the survival time beyond the initial prognosis. For example, some patients with mesothelioma stage 1 are able to achieve remission or complete disappearance, while those diagnosed at stage 4 face a less favorable outlook.The mesothelioma stage of a patient affects their outlook because the earlier the doctor treats the cancer, the better the outcome. The location of the cancer can also make an impact. Pleural mesothelioma, a cancer, is that attacks the lining surrounding organs in the chest. Peritoneal mesothelioma, on the other hand, affects the linings of the abdomen and digestive tract. In general, patients with the more common pleural cancer tend to have a better survival rate than those who have peritoneal cancer.Doctors may perform procedures to remove cancerous tissue or to relieve symptoms like breathing difficulties and chest pain. The use of chemotherapy and radiation is another treatments that are recommended to kill cancerous cells or slow down their growth. Pemetrexed is a common chemotherapy drug for pleural fibrisis.Other factors that affect mesothelioma prognosis include the types of cancer cells, age and gender. In general, patients with epithelioid mesothelioma have better outcomes than those who suffer from sarcomatoid and biphasic types. Women live longer than men and younger patients have a better chance of survival for mesothelioma. However the reasons for this are not fully understood. However, the mesothelioma specialists at a mesothelioma clinic can go over all treatment options and decide which are suitable for a particular patient. They can also discuss clinical trials, which offer experimental therapies that might improve the chances of survival. Recent studies have shown that immunotherapy can be effective.ChemotherapyThe mesothelioma prognosis is based on the survival rate of other patients, however every patient's situation is unique. Mesothelioma victims can improve their prognoses by following doctors' recommendations. They may also be able to participate in clinical trials for mesothelioma which has increased survival rates.A second opinion is also essential. Alexis Kidd learned that her mesothelioma was not as advanced as doctors initially believed when she conducted this. She was capable of treating her illness before it got more advanced and improve her prognosis.The stage, location and type of cancer cells are other factors that affect the prognosis of a patient with mesothelioma. Malignant mesothelioma is classified into three types: epithelial, biphasic and sarcomatoid. Each cell subtype has its own survival rate. Patients diagnosed with epithelial melanoma typically have a better prognosis than those diagnosed with sarcomatoid or mixed mesothelioma.Mesothelioma is often not recognized until it has advanced to a late stage. The reason for this is because mesothelioma symptoms are similar to other illnesses such as colds, flu and stomach viruses. Making an early diagnosis is crucial for the best mesothelioma prognosis.Mesothelioma treatment options have grown more diverse in the last decade. Numerous studies have proven that immunotherapy can improve mesothelioma survival rates. It is crucial that patients find a mesothelioma expert and receive the most effective treatments.In addition to surgery and chemotherapy patients can improve their chances of survival from mesothelioma by making healthier lifestyle choices. Patients who exercise regularly and eat a balanced diet tend to have a healthier immune system. This can help them resist the effects of mesothelioma treatments and stay healthy during the recovery process.RadiationThe prognosis of mesothelioma can be based on the nature of cancer, the location and the stage of the cancer. The odds of survival are better for those with epithelioid cancer cells, as they are more easily treated. Those with sarcomatoid pleural mesothelioma are more vulnerable, since it is more likely to spread quickly and is more difficult for doctors to treat.Other factors that impact mesothelioma prognosis are age and overall health status. Patients who are younger are healthier and able to more easily undergo surgery and chemotherapy treatments. They also are more likely to recognize and react to symptoms earlier and receive mesothelioma diagnoses earlier. Women are also more likely to respond well to treatment and have a favorable mesothelioma prognosis than men.Mesothelioma treatment can ease lung problems like breathing difficulties and chest pressure from the accumulation of fluid. Doctors may order tests like chest X-rays to look for lung changes. They can also utilize MRI scans, CT scans or positron-emission tomography (PET), to determine the location of mesothelioma and the extent of it. They can also test the blood sample to determine the levels of certain proteins associated with mesothelioma.The surgical options for pleural sarcoidosis are extrapleural pleurocystectomy (EPP) or pleurectomy and decortication (P/D). Both surgeries remove the affected lung, the linings of the lungs, and also the diaphragm. They may also insert an insertion tube inside the chest cavity to drain the fluid. They may also prescribe medications that kill cancer cells or slow their growth, like carboplatin or pemetrexed.Immunotherapy is a promising new treatment that is rapidly improving the outlook for those with mesothelioma. The reason for this is due to the fact that it targets the receptors of cancer cells which makes them more responsive to treatments.Palliative CarePatients with mesothelioma shouldn't accept the doctor's estimation of their life time. Instead, they should seek an additional opinion by a specialist who can provide more hope based on the different stage of mesothelioma as well as a new treatment option.The type and location of mesothelioma can also affect survival rates. The most prevalent mesothelioma type is a cancer of the linings of lung, whereas peritoneal mesothelioma is a less frequent type that affects the abdominal linings. Pleural mesothelioma is more likely have a good prognosis than peritoneal, as it is easier to remove the cancer in surgery. However, patients who have the more aggressive sarcomatoid-cell type, or biphasic mesothelioma, often suffer a worse prognosis than epithelial mesothelioma patients.In addition to that, the health of a person's overall and age play an important role. The outlook for mesothelioma is better for younger patients because they recognize symptoms sooner and receive a diagnosis earlier. They are more likely to become a surgical candidates. Contrary to this, patients with a higher age have a higher risk of complications resulting from chemotherapy or radiation treatments, and a less favorable prognosis for mesothelioma.In the end, there is no cure for mesothelioma. However, treatments can prolong life and improve quality of life for patients. They can help reduce symptoms like nausea and pain and allow patients to concentrate on their lives.New treatment strategies continue to improve mesothelioma treatment outcomes. Many mesothelioma patients are living longer than their initial prognosis. Some have even achieved Remission, which means that the tumors shrink and disappear. This is encouraging as it demonstrates that the quality of life is not restricted by their prognosis.