Mesothelioma Prognosis

Prognosis of Mesothelioma

The mesothelioma prognosis is determined through physical examination and the results of a number of medical tests designed to evaluate the rare asbestos cancer. Once a mesothelioma prognosis is finally determined, then treating this aggressive and rare cancer can begin.

Like most cancers, the prognosis for this disease often depends on how early it is diagnosed and how aggressively it is treated. Early diagnosis and treatment are most important in looking for a favorable mesothelioma prognosis.

The stage of disease at diagnosis is a crucial factor in the development of the patient’s prognosis. As with all forms of cancer, early detection is important, but this is especially true of mesothelioma. Because mesothelioma generally resists curative treatment, doctors can manage the disease more efficiently if they have caught it in its early stages.

Unfortunately, mesothelioma is more difficult to “stage” than other cancers. This is true for a couple of reasons: because its somewhat rare and because its initial symptoms are subtle it is usually advanced when diagnosed, making it difficult to stage.

Mesothelioma prognosis varies from case to case, and becomes worse the longer the cancer is left undiscovered. Once mesothelioma reaches its later stages and the disease spreads to other areas of the body, there is no curative treatment.

There were several other indicators that leaned toward a more favorable mesothelioma prognosis. An absence of weight loss and a lack of involvement of the visceral pleura were found in clinical studies to indicate the cancer was not as extensive.

There are other factors that can affect the mesothelioma prognosis, apart from the stage of your cancer.  One is how well you are overall.  Doctors have a way of measuring this.  They call it your ‘performance status’. A score of 0 means you are completely able to look after yourself.  A score of 1 means you can do most things for yourself, but need some help.  The scores continue to go up, depending on how much help you need.

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