According to studies and research, every year, 3000 people are diagnosed with Mesothelioma. This form of cancer spreads fairly fast in the body and since it is usually found in the later stages, the survival rate is quite low.
Mesothelioma cancer cells develop in the body if the individual has been exposed to asbestos for a long period of time.
Naturally, if the disease is found in the earliest stages, it can be cured and the individual can survive. However, this becomes difficult because it is almost impossible to find the initial cancerous cells in the body. As has already been mentioned, the disease is usually found too late and till then it is too late for even chemotherapy to work.
Statistics say that 10% of those diagnosed with Mesothelioma survive for over 5 years and 40% survive for a year or less. Keeping these dismal percentiles aside, the rate of survival when it comes to Mesothelioma depends on a few factors. These are common to every form of cancer because while cancerous cells may start to develop in a particular organ, they tend to travel to other vital organs and slowly break down the body.
The Mesothelioma survival rate depends on when the disease if found in the body. That being said, if it is found in the first stage when the cells are concentrated in the lining around the chest, there are chances that the individual will survive. On the other hand, if it is found in the fourth stage, it means that these cells have broken away from their ‘pack’ and made their way to the body’s vital organs. In this case, the individual will suffer a great deal during the last year of his life. In addition to that, the Mesothelioma survival rate also depends on the type and structure of the cancer cells. This type of cancer can be sarcomatoid, epithelial, desmoplastic or biphasic. The age of the person also determines the survival rate.
Mesothelioma cases are usually found among those who belong to an older age group that ranges from 55- 65. That being said, the Mesothelioma survival rate becomes very low the older the patient is. The size of the tumor also determines the survival rate as well as its location. In conclusion, it goes without saying that Mesothelioma is terminal and fatal in most cases. Medical attention should be immediate because even though it cannot be cured, the treatment will reduce the pain and prevent the individual from suffering too much.
Apart from that, the patient’s life span will be increased by a few months as well if he undergoes chemotherapy or surgery. These treatments can be combined as well. Every day scientists are trying to make sure that these survival rates are increased. Experimental treatments include Immunotherapy, Gene Therapy and Photodynamic Therapy.