What are the factors that influence the prognosis of mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is generally not diagnosed until late stages of development. In addition, symptoms of mesothelioma are very common and often resemble less serious conditions, which may make it difficult in diagnosing cancer. As a result, the prognosis for the majority of patients is lacking, but many doctors may recommend a mesothelioma treatment options such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiation to help fight the disease.
Mesothelioma cancer, there are several stages, starting from stage one to stage four. Unfortunately, once mesothelioma cancer has reached stage three or four, not only treatment options become more limited, but is less effective as well.
In addition to cancer stage and patient age, other factors that affect prognosis include:
- Types of mesothelioma - pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma or mesothelioma of testicular
- tumor size
- Mesothelioma tumor location and whether it can be done with surgery
- Levels of other symptoms, including fluid in the lungs or abdomen
- Is the patient a smoker or not