Mesothelioma is a malignant form of cancer. Whether the disease is attacking the protective membrane surrounding a person’s lungs, heart, abdomen, or testicals, this is a serious diagnosis. Treatment should begin immediately, as a mesothelioma prognosis is generally going to be poor.
In many situations, diagnosis occurs at such a late stage that surgery to remove the mass is impossible. Here, a doctor’s goal is to provide as much comfort as possible. However, catching the problem earlier does improve the chances of survival. Therefore, anyone who suspects they have mesothelioma should contact a doctor immediately.
As with any other disease, a doctor’s ability to provide treatment at the earliest possible sign of trouble increases the chances of a favorable outcome. Mesothelioma is a malignant form of cancer that attacks the lining surrounding many vital internal organs. This means that early intervention is essential to limit the damage it can cause.
Surgery may be an option when mesothelioma is in its early stages. Here, a surgeon removes the affected tissue with the hope that this will slow the spread of the disease. Combined with radiation therapy and chemotherapy, this can help to give patients an increased number of years. For this reason, people who believe that their symptoms are or may be signs of mesothelioma should contact a doctor right away to improve their chances of receiving the best possible prognosis.
A late diagnosis of mesothelioma generally means a poorer prognosis, but it does not mean that someone has no treatment options at all. In some cases, aggressive surgery and chemotherapy can provide patients with an improved quality of life.
If a doctor recognizes this disease only after it has progressed to an advanced stage, the treatment options are much more limited. Especially when the disease affects an irreplaceable organ or has attacked many parts of the body at once, pain management may be a doctor’s main goal.
Modern medicine has long taken a slash-and-burn approach to cancer treatment. However, advances in genetic medicine may offer hope to people with advanced mesothelioma.
Genetic analysis of the tumors themselves may reveal weaknesses in their DNA. This could allow doctors to offer targeted therapy that aims to destroy those specific cells while allowing others to remain intact. This advanced form of chemotherapy has shown significant promise in allowing patients to retain a higher quality of life.
Immunotherapy may be another choice. Here, doctors make adjustments to a patient’s own immune system. This gives it the resources that it needs to specifically target cancer cells that might otherwise avoid detection.
A mesothelioma prognosis often depends on the stage the cancer has reached. In general, a diagnosis at a later stage brings a more severe prognosis. In addition, the location of the cancer also limits the treatments doctors can provide. However, every case is different, and getting in touch with a doctor as soon as possible can give you a better idea of what your future might look like.
If you or a loved one were diagnosed with mesothelioma after being exposed to asbestos, you could be eligible for financial compensation. Talking with a lawyer could help you to receive the payments that you need to cover the necessary treatment and care. Through workers’ compensation insurance claims and personal injury lawsuits, an attorney works to protect your legal rights and ensure that you can pay for the medical care that you need. To learn more, give us a call today.
