Mesothelioma Prognosis: Patient Status

Along with the biological aspects of mesothelioma as presented, another set of important prognostic factors includes the stage of the disease at diagnosis, the health of the patient and his or her age. All three will have a major impact on life expectancy and the future course of the disease.

Stage of the Disease

The stage of disease at diagnosis is a crucial factor in the development of the patient’s prognosis. As with all forms of cancer, early detection is important, but this is especially true of mesothelioma. Because mesothelioma generally resists curative treatment, doctors can manage the disease more efficiently if they have caught it in its early stages. The diffuse nature of the disorder means advanced tumor progression will invade large areas of tissue, making treatment even more difficult. Mesothelioma presents with symptoms shared by a number of other diseases and often goes undiagnosed because of these similarities. An early diagnosis is absolutely crucial if one hopes to control the disease.