Mesothelioma Cell Classifications and your Survival Chances

Mesothelioma is a cancer that attacks the mesothelium membrane that covers the internal organs of the body. This mesothelium is made of two parts. One contains cells while the other portion contains fluids that allow the organs to move freely within their cavities. This is vital for the operation for organs such as the lungs that expand and contract continuously during their operations.

Mesothelioma is a disease that is a direct result of exposure to asbestos where the asbestos particles become lodged in the deep annals of the lungs. Over an extended period, they react with enzymes released by the lungs to counteract the presence of foreign bodies within the body. This results in abnormal and uncontrolled division of cells within the mesothelium resulting in some of these cells becoming cancerous. This results in an increase in the viscosity of the fluid surrounding the lungs, thus restricting its movement resulting in severe chest pain and shortness of breath.

Cell Classification of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma cells can be classified into three main types. This categorization is based on the stage of development and can be used to give a mesothelioma prognosis of survival of each patient. These categories are:

• Epithelial Mesothelioma: This describes the most common type of mesothelioma cell and accounts for 50 to 75% of the total amount of mesothelioma cases diagnosed each year. As a part of their main characteristics, these cells have a uniform shape thus making them easily distinguishable when view under a microscope. These cancer cells are known in the medical profession as adenocarcinomas and malignances that are commonly associated with lung cancer as opposed to cancer of mesothelium.
• Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma: This form of mesothelioma cell appears in 7 to 20% of diagnosed cases annually. These cells grow out of the supportive structures of the body such as bones and muscles.
• Biphasic Mesothelioma: These cells are a mixture of both epithelial and sacromatoid cells.

Chances of surviving Mesothelioma

Because most mesothelioma cases are diagnosed when it is already in an advanced stage, it significantly complicates the chances of surviving the disease. As a result, most mesothelioma treatments for all three cell types are just about the same. Traditionally, most doctors will require cell samples to analyze under a microscope to determine the survival outlook for patients. It also gives them information that can be used to determine appropriate treatment. Treatment ranges from medication, chemotherapy, surgery or a combination of all three. Fortunately, there is continuous research on methods of predicting the success rate of these treatments. This allows doctors to make prudent decisions about their patient’s future.

Gene Prediction of Survival Odds

Scientist have developed new test that they can use to determine the prognosis of after mesothelioma surgery. This invasive method eliminates the need for tissue extraction to determine the outlook for patients. This method examines the genes of mesothelioma patients and compares their characteristics to those they have as reference. These reference genes were taken patients with both good and bad results after their surgery. This is then used to advise patients if it worth the risk of operation and the chances of success due to the process.

New Mesothelioma Research – What Are My Survival Chances?

The survival rate for mesothelioma patients about twenty years ago was less than one year from the time of diagnosis, but with early detection and aggressive treatment mesothelioma patients are living longer that predicted. With new developments and ongoing research mesothelioma sufferers are gaining more hope about their treatment and longer life expectance.

Nature of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a disease caused by exposure to asbestos. In most cases symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear for decades after initial exposure to asbestos. Because it is not detected until it has reached its later stages makes it very difficult to treat. The symptoms of mesothelioma are often mistaken for other common diseases such as influenza or phenomena because the symptoms are so similar and those suffering from this disease may not even realize that they have developed mesothelioma.

Longer Survival Chances for Mesothelioma Patients

There are new tests which was developed over the years that aid in early detection of mesothelioma. Most of these tests have helped mesothelioma patients lead a more comfortable and longer life. There have been reports of a number of mesothelioma patients who have even survived past their predicted survival date. In some cases a number of patients have been cured of this disease due to early diagnosis and aggressive mesothelioma treatment. Researchers believe treatments that improve the immune system can stabilize and even cure mesothelioma.

Over the past years more and more mesothelioma survivors are beginning to speak out about this disease and sharing their stories about how they overcame it. Below are two exciting stories about mesothelioma survivors and what they are doing to fight this disease. These survivors are providing hope for mesothelioma patients and their loved ones.

Paul Kraus, an Australian mesothelioma survivor was diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma in 1997. According to Mr. Kraus he developed mesothelioma about 35 years earlier where he was exposed to asbestos working in a factory. He has been very outspoken about his disease and decided to do whatever it takes to fight this cancer. He became a vegetarian and started taking vitamins and nutritional supplements to his daily diet. He also tried a treatment known as ozone therapy which was a very effective treatment. Kraust believe that a combination of all the therapy, drugs and change in diet helped to stabilize his mesothelioma. According to Kraust’s doctor he is disease free and could continue living for a long time.

Rhio O’Connor is another mesothelioma survivor who recently published a book about his ordeal with mesothelioma. He recommends alternative treatments instead of the traditional medicine, surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Mr. O’Connor stated that he has lived with mesothelioma for seven years. He decided not to undergo the traditional treatment of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Instead he decided to develop his own regimen with the help of several expert physicians. His regimen included to drastically change his diet. He also adds to his daily diet 100 nutritional supplements and daily mediation among others.

American Cancer Society Statistics on Survival Rate of Mesothelioma Patients

According to mesothelioma statistics published by the American Cancer Society, the five-year relative survival rate for patients with mesothelioma is approximately 10 percent and that number has improved within the last five years, up from 9 percent reported at the end of 2002. In addition recent studies show that the one-year survival rate is now about 40 percent, a number that has also increased in the past five years – there is hope for mesothelioma patients.

Survival Rates of Mesothelioma Cancer at its Last Stages

Treatment options offered to patients are decided on a case-by-case basis and are dependent on the stage of mesothelioma. Likewise, the survival rate of the disease is also dependent on its development stage and reduces significantly in the last stages. Staging refers to the extent of the cancer developments within patients and is characterized by the kind of tumor and the degree to which it has spread throughout the body. With the knowledge of the various stages, the mesothelioma specialists are able to decide on a treatment plan and identify clinical trials for them. The type or treatment also depends on the reason for the development of the cancer, the kind of tumor, its propensity for invasion of nearby organs and tissues as well as the distant spread or metastatic to other body parts.

The Brigham System is the latest form of staging system used in the diagnosis of mesothelioma and is done based on resectability which indicates the ability to surgically remove the tumor and lymph node involvement. The grading system is as follows:

Stage I: Resectable mesothelioma and no lymph node involvement
Stage II: Resectable mesothelioma but with lymph node involvement
Stage III: Unresectable mesothelioma with reach to chest wall, heart, or through diaphragm, peritoneum; with or without extra-thoracic lymph node involvement
Stage IV: Distant metastatic disease

Survival Rate of Mesothelioma Patients

Every year, over 3000 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma in the United States. This aggressive cancer has a long latency period resulting in those diagnosed with the disease having a very low survival rate. The aggressive nature of the cancer is caused predominantly from asbestos exposure during their developmental ages or the industry in which they were employed. Sadly, the chances of survival for victims inflicted with the disease are quite low and usually not many of them survive beyond five years post diagnosis.

Mesothelioma Survival Rate when Detected on time

The survival rate increases significantly the earlier the disease is detected. Another major problem with this cancer is that it is very difficult to detect at the early stages as the symptoms are very common, and people tend to ignore them and results in late discovery. Usually the survival rate of mesothelioma patients beyond 5 years is less than 9 %, with only about 40% of them able to survive more than a year after diagnosis.

Mesothelioma survival rates depend on various factors such as:

• The stage of the cancer
• The form of cancer based on its histology
• The health condition of the patients
• The characteristics of the tumor such as its size and location
• The kind of symptoms found among the patients such as fluid accumulation

Despite all these factors, the treatment option and the medical attention given to the patients also help in deciding the patient’s survival rate. In addition, though still without a cure for this cancer, the treatment options also help in reducing pain and trauma experienced patients.

According to various studies conducted on mesothelioma, patients diagnosed with stage 1 mesothelioma have a 50 percent chance of living for about 5 years provided the treatment provided is appropriate and aggressive. Those with Stage 2 have about 2-4 years and those with Stage 3 have an average survival rate of 6-8 months. Patients with Stage 4 and higher mesothelioma usually survive for fewer than 6 months.

According to the Mayo Clinic, when mesothelioma is diagnosed at the later stages, the treatment options are not very effective and are just used for relieving pain and for providing maximum comfort. The pain reduces significantly if the patient is in good health and below 50 years.

Mesothelioma Alert – Hidden Health Hazards Exposed by NBS Station, Kansas City

Do you what causes Mesothelioma? Mesothelioma is a dreaded disease caused by asbestiform, or more popularly known asbestos. This disease is a slow killer. The disease develops atleast 30 to 40 years after it has been contracted.

Mesothelioma Health Hazards

Close to 75 to 80% of the Mesothelioma cases state the asbestos exposure as the primary reason for contracting the disease. Do you know what it is to lead a happy life for 50 to 60 years and suddenly find yourself suffering from cancer for some reason that happened 50 years ago? In simple words that is Mesothelioma Cancer.

Asbestos Exposure and Mesothelioma

The asbestos particles inhaled stay in your body for decades together and slowly begin damaging your body and make you realize something is wrong with your health only during the advanced stages of mesothelioma. Unfortunately, in most of such cases, the time period is so long that the person suffering would have even forgotten the happening of such an event of asbestos exposure.

In certain other cases the person might not even know that he was exposed to asbestos. According to Environment Protection Agency there is as such no safe exposure limit for asbestos particles. Prevention is always better; hence one should wear proper shielding before venturing into any asbestos exposure activity.

Mesothelioma Hidden Health Hazards exposed by NBS Station, Kansas City

Out of the many efforts taken by organizations to create awareness about asbestos exposure and the resultant contraction of mesothelioma, the NBS Station in Kansas City came up with a documentary video on the ill effects of mesothelioma and risk of asbestos exposure. The video has been named as “Hidden Hazard Missed by Contractors”. The story is all about the dangers involved in removing an old popcorn ceiling, which is said to have tiny asbestos particles in it and the ill effects of inhaling such asbestos particles.

In recent times the case of second hand exposure to asbestos is on the rise. The households namely wife, children and siblings are highly exposed to the danger of asbestos exposure. Though they are not directly subjected to asbestos exposure, the asbestos particles carried in the clothes of the individual visiting such places poses a serious health hazard.

In short, it is high time to be careful about the disease and the consequent threats in human life.

Mesothelioma Survivors

People diagnosed with mesothelioma are clearly told by their health care providers that they cannot survive for more than one year. However, with the advancement in technology, situation is changing and survival rate is definitely going to increase in the coming years.

Poor Outlook and Mesothelioma PrognosisPoor Outlook and Mesothelioma Prognosis

To get a better understanding of why majority of mesothelioma patients only survive for a limited period of time, you need to get accustomed with the nature of the disease. Often, this disease is not detected until it has reached advanced stages. This is because of the simple reason that symptoms can take around thirty years to appear once you are exposed to asbestos. When there are no symptoms, people suffering from mesothelioma are not going to realize that they have developed such a serious disease.

However, with new tests development that plays a significant part in early diagnosis, health care providers are expecting patients of mesothelioma to live lot longer. With early diagnosis, you are going to get lot more options in terms of treatment especially with regard to removing tumors.

Mesothelioma Patients Surviving Longer

There are lots of mesothelioma patients that survive for more than one year. Researchers all around the world have no answer of this question. However, recent study has come to the conclusion that the main responsible for this situation is the immune system. Mesothelioma patients whose immune system is working properly, tends to survive for a much longer time period. Keeping this in mind, number of health care providers design treatments in such a way that there is significant improvement in your immune system.

About Mesothelioma Survivors

You will find stories of various mesothelioma survivors on the World Wide Web. If any of your friends or family member is suffering from mesothelioma, make sure that you encourage them to read such stories. By reading these stories, mesothelioma patient is going to get much-needed motivation and will be able to fight with every issue associated with the disease.

Majority of mesothelioma survivors present their case to health care providers and scientists so that they can use it in their treatment and studies. If you happen to be a mesothelioma survivor, it is your responsibility to ensure that you tell other people of situations that you have faced throughout the treatment routine. By doing this, you can give a belief to other mesothelioma patients that they can also get better if they follow right kind of treatment routine.