Prognosis For Patients With Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that forms in the mesothelium, which is a protective lining of such vital internal organs as the lungs, stomach, and heart. It is a particularly deadly type of cancer with no known cure. While survival times vary, mesothelioma patients typically only survive twelve to eighteen months after being diagnosed.

Mesothelioma is typically caused by asbestos exposure. One of the key reasons this cancer is so deadly is that often is not detected until the later stages of its development. The disease can take between 15-50 years to be evident after asbestos exposure. The symptoms of the cancer, which include shortness of breath, chest pain, and weight loss, are similar to other common illnesses.

There are a variety of factors that affect a patient's prognosis. Early detection, the caliber of medical treatment, type of medical treatment, the patient's age, other health factors, and the patient's genetics all play a role. Having an upbeat attitude and having the support of family and friends can also be important in increasing life expectancy following a mesothelioma diagnosis.

In extremely rare cases, patients have beaten the odds and lived with mesothelioma for years. There is the famous case of evolutionary biologist Jay Gould. Jay Gould, an evolutionary biologist, lived for 20 years after a diagnosis of peritoneal mesothelium, which affects the stomach. He passed away from another illness.

Other individuals have lived more than ten years following mesothelioma diagnosis. Australian author Paul Kraus was diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma in 1997. He is still alive and enjoys a good quality of life. Kraus has eschewed conventional treatment methods opting for a vegetarian diet, intravenous vitamin C, and traditional Chinese medicine.

There are non-profit organizations dedicated to the cause of mesothelioma and finding a cure. Learn more about this type of cancer, a and the at .