The life expectancy of a patient is affected by several factors. While there is no formula that determines someones life expectancy, there are factors that are believed to either increase or decrease that life expectancy.
Stage of Development. Mesothelioma can be latent in the body for as many as 50 years without any symptoms. If the cancer has already developed into large tumors before being diagnosed, that would be considered a late stage cancer and would be detrimental to the life expectancy of that person. However, if someone knew that they had been exposed to asbestos earlier on in their life and were able to have a checkup to find an early stage cancer, that would obviously contribute to a longer life expectancy.
Age and health. The average patient in the United States is a 55 year old male. An older person with other health issues, such as heart problems , diabetes and high blood pressure, will have a greater challenge recovering from this disease than a younger person with no other health issues.
Type of Mesothelioma. There are three types of this cancer, peritoneal (affects the abdomen), pericardial (affects the heart), and pleural (affects the lungs.) Since pleural mesothelioma is the most common type of occurance, there is much more information about this form which aids in treatment and consequently higher life expectancy.
Smoking. Tobacco smoke creates deposits of tar on lung tissue and only increases the difficulty of treating pleural mesothelioma. Smoking greatly reduces the life expectancy of patients and should be stopped immediately.
Stage of Development. Mesothelioma can be latent in the body for as many as 50 years without any symptoms. If the cancer has already developed into large tumors before being diagnosed, that would be considered a late stage cancer and would be detrimental to the life expectancy of that person. However, if someone knew that they had been exposed to asbestos earlier on in their life and were able to have a checkup to find an early stage cancer, that would obviously contribute to a longer life expectancy.
Age and health. The average patient in the United States is a 55 year old male. An older person with other health issues, such as heart problems , diabetes and high blood pressure, will have a greater challenge recovering from this disease than a younger person with no other health issues.
Type of Mesothelioma. There are three types of this cancer, peritoneal (affects the abdomen), pericardial (affects the heart), and pleural (affects the lungs.) Since pleural mesothelioma is the most common type of occurance, there is much more information about this form which aids in treatment and consequently higher life expectancy.
Smoking. Tobacco smoke creates deposits of tar on lung tissue and only increases the difficulty of treating pleural mesothelioma. Smoking greatly reduces the life expectancy of patients and should be stopped immediately.
