ADSENSE HERE!
mesothelioma meaning
Mesothelioma Stages
The stages of mesothelioma include stage 1 (cancer cells in
one place), stage 2 (cancer cells entering lymph nodes), stage 3 (cancer cells
spread to nearby organs and distant lymph nodes) and stage 4 (cancer cells
spread throughout chest or abdominal cavity). Prognoses, survival rates and
life expectancies decrease as stage number increases.
 |
| mesothelioma meaning |
Cancer staging is a key part of mesothelioma diagnosis and treatment. Knowing how far
the cancer has spread helps doctors decide which treatments to use. For
example, doctors use cancer stage as a guideline when deciding whether a
patient is likely to benefit from surgery.
Early-stage patients may benefit from surgery by living longer and
experiencing fewer symptoms. Late-stage patients benefit more from treatment
focused on symptom management. The goal of treatment in all stages is to
improve quality of life and help people live longer.
Because mesothelioma symptoms don’t develop until later stages, most
patients are not diagnosed until stage 3 or 4. The cancer’s cell type and the
patient’s overall health also affect treatment options.
The most common treatment for mesothelioma is chemotherapy. Some patients
get diagnosed early enough to qualify for surgery. Surgery is often combined
with chemotherapy and radiation therapy to kill more cancer cells. Clinical
trials are testing new therapies such as immunotherapy.
Stages
of Mesothelioma
The stages of pleural mesothelioma are based upon the
size of tumors and how far they have spread. The location and size of tumors
has a direct impact on the symptoms a person may feel.
Tumor size and location also determines whether a person can undergo
surgery. Unfortunately, surgery is no longer an option when tumors become too big or spread too far.
Stage 1
Initially, tumor growth is within a
single area. The life expectancy of stage 1 mesothelioma is significantly
better than later stages. It is difficult to catch the cancer this early
because people with this stage do not usually experience symptoms.
Major surgery to remove the cancer is
the first line of treatment. Doctors usually recommend an aggressive multimodal approach including surgery,
chemotherapy, radiation therapy or immunotherapy.
Median life expectancy at stage 1 is
22.2 months with surgery.
Stage 2
Stage 2 symptoms are vague and mild, and
patients and doctors often mistake them for signs of other illnesses such as the
flu.
The available treatment options are
generally the same as for stage 1 mesothelioma. Median life expectancy at stage
2 is 20 months with surgery.
Stage 3
Once the cancer progresses to stage 3,
it may have spread to several tissues, organs and lymph nodes in the same
region of the body where it formed.
Pleural mesothelioma patients may have
difficulty breathing and chest pain even when resting. Discomfort may be felt
in other parts of the body as well.
Some stage 3 cancer patients are
ineligible for surgery and other aggressive treatments. At that point, doctors
offer palliative options.
Median life expectancy at stage 3 is
17.9 months with surgery.
Stage 4
By stage 4, cancer has spread to other
parts of the body. Cancer could be present in the liver, brain, bones or
elsewhere. Patients may experience extreme difficulty breathing and swallowing,
digestive problems and severe pain.
For stage 4 patients, doctors typically
fall back on palliative treatments designed to ease pain and control other
symptoms. Most stage 4 patients do not qualify for surgery.
Median life expectancy at stage 4 is
14.9 months or less with or without surgery.
ADSENSE HERE!
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar