Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that’s nearly always caused by getting exposed to asbestos. In this illness, malignant cells develop in the mesothelium, a protecting lining that covers almost all of the body’s internal organs. Its most common site is the pleura ( outer liner of the lungs and internal chest wall ), but it may also occur in the peritoneum ( the liner of the intestinal cavity ), the heart, the pericardium ( a sac that surrounds the heart ) or tunica vaginalis.
A five year scale is used to calculate mesothelioma survival by the experts of the field. Statistics show that only ten percent of the total patients diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer have reached the target of five years. Mesothelioma survival is based on a couple of varied factors. Some of them are age and general health conditions of the patient, the stage of cancer, and the area affected by the infection.
The chances of mesothelioma survival can be enhanced by vigorous and continued treatment. Depending on the response of the patient to the treatment chances of survival also varies. The treatment success is controlled by various factors. The most important thing is that success depends upon the stage of the cancer at the time of diagnosis. If the disease is detected early, the chances of survival and cure are more. The third and fourth stages have very little chances of survival, whereas the first and the second stages can be healed through chemotherapy and surgery.
The size of the tumor, the area in which it is formed, the level of excess fluid accumulated in the abdomen or chest, the age and general health level of the patient and the cell structure and type of cancer cells are the other important aspects that determine mesothelioma survival. There are mainly three types of mesothelioma cancer. While the first type, the pleural mesothelioma, affects the membranous sac lining the abdomen, the second, peritoneal cancer attacks the abdominal cavity and accounts to about seventy five percent and twenty percent respectively. But the third one, the pericardial, which is found in the area around the heart, is much more potent as a killer than the other two.
Alarming conclusions are reached by the medical community, which has analyzed the mesothelioma survival rates for the last few years. It has found that mesothelioma cancer infection is increasing all around the world. Also it has been found that chemotherapy is successful in cases where surgery is not effective. Researches are tirelessly working on more and more efficient strategies to defeat the fatal asbestos cancer, which has already destroyed the peace and happiness of many families by taking away their near and dear ones. The new treatment techniques invented give a fresh lease of hope for the victims.