Pleural mesothelioma, caused by the inhalation of asbestos into the lungs, has four stages with stage 4 being the final and deadliest. At this stage, the malignant mesothelioma tumors have spread beyond their point of origin into the chest walls, the bones and perhaps several organs, including the liver, prostate and lining of the heart. Louisville residents should know that the median life expectancy for those with stage 4 mesothelioma is 12 months.
Possible signs of malignant mesothelioma
Feb. 4 is World Cancer day, and one of the goals is to create awareness about the signs of symptoms of this disease. Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that individuals in Kentucky or any other state could be stricken with. Understanding the warning signs of mesothelioma could make it possible to seek treatment sooner and possibly improve a patient's prognosis. In most cases, the fact that it has progressed relatively far before it is diagnosed makes it a challenge to cure.
What to expect after a mesothelioma diagnosis
Individuals in Kentucky or elsewhere who have peritoneal mesothelioma could live for several years with the condition. An individual patient's prognosis depends on many factors include genetic mutations, the type of cancer cells and how advanced the condition is when a diagnosis is made. How the condition is treated can also play a role in how long a person can live with peritoneal mesothelioma. Those who can get surgery along with heated chemotherapy tend to live the longest.
