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Mesothelioma Prognosis

In mesothelioma, as in most cancers, early diagnosis and treatment offer the best hope for a favorable prognosis. The period between asbestos exposure and the onset of mesothelioma symptoms, however, can span decades, and the symptoms of mesothelioma are often similar to those of other diseases. As a result, arriving at a diagnosis of mesothelioma is often a challenge for the clinician. This asbestos-related cancer may be initially misdiagnosed.

Staging Helps Determine Mesothelioma Prognosis

Once a diagnosis of mesothelioma is confirmed, the doctor will use a variety of techniques to reveal the location and size of the tumor, as well as whether it has metastasized (or spread) to other organs or tissues. This process is called staging, and it is the chief factor in determining the mesothelioma patient's prognosis.

Imaging technologies such as chest x-ray and computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission tomography (PET) scans allow the clinician to assign one of the following stages to the mesothelioma tumor. Patients with lower stage numbers generally face a better mesothelioma prognosis than those with higher stage numbers.

• Stage I - Mesothelioma is limited to one small, defined area of the chest or abdomen. Treatment of Stage I mesothelioma generally involves surgical removal of the tumor.
  
  
• Stage II - Mesothelioma has spread to other areas directly adjacent to the tumor, such as the lungs or the diaphragm.
  
  
• Stage III - Mesothelioma has spread not only to adjacent areas, but also to the lymph nodes in the region. At Stages II and III, treatment may include surgery to remove as much of the tumor as possible, as well as radiation or chemotherapy to relieve symptoms. Patients with Stage II or Stage III mesothelioma may be candidates for clinical trials.
  
  
• Stage IV - Mesothelioma has spread to distant areas of the body (metastasized). Malignant mesothelioma most commonly spreads to the brain and areas of the lung removed from the tumor location. At Stage IV, mesothelioma has spread to other organs, and since a cure is not possible, the mesothelioma prognosis is poor. Treatment at this stage consists mainly of pain management and supportive care.
  
  

Other Factors in Mesothelioma Prognosis

While staging is a central factor in determining a patient's mesothelioma prognosis, other factors also affect outcome, including:

• The size of the tumor, and whether it can be removed by surgery
• The patient's age and general health
• The type of mesothelioma cells as seen under a microscope
• Whether the cancer is newly diagnosed or has recurred

Depending on the stage of the mesothelioma tumor and the evaluation of these other factors, the life expectancy for a patient with malignant mesothelioma is generally considered to be from 1 to 2 years following diagnosis.