Mesothelioma Survival Rate
The link between mesothelioma and asbestos exposure was discovered during the industrial age. The mesothelioma survival rate is low due to the cancer’s latency period. Victims of this disease regularly struggle with medical costs because lawsuits waged against businesses take time to settle on a compensation amount. The first official lawsuits were filed against asbestos manufacturers in 1929, but cancer victims are still developing this condition from outdated insulation.
The mesothelioma survival rate of patients varies depending on several factors. The biggest factor is the stage at which the cancer is diagnosed. Since the latency period for mesothelioma can range from ten to fifty years, some victims do not show any symptoms until the later stages of the disease when treatment options are limited. Patients who are diagnosed in the third or fourth stage typically only have a mesothelioma survival rate of about twelve months.
With advancements in technology and diagnostic medicines, there are more treatment options available to victims who discover their affliction in the first or second stage. Medical costs for treatments are expensive, which is why it is important for patients to seek legal council for monetary compensation. As of yet, there are no federal laws dictating a specific amount for asbestos compensation, so it is up to the ability of the lawyer to represent their clients in court to earn them a just amount. Even with the large number of lawsuits being filed, many asbestos manufacturers still neglect to implement sufficient safety protocols regarding this material.
While the available diagnostic methods are becoming more efficient at detecting the early stages of mesothelioma, certain symptoms resemble other respiratory diseases, which can delay a proper diagnosis. Stage one and two are curable with the proper treatments, but the mesothelioma survival rate of stage three and four is between eight and fourteen months. Anyone who has worked for an asbestos manufacturer is advised to get routine scans of their chest and abdominal cavities to improve the chances of early detection. Even family members of the employee are urged to visit a doctor because exposure to that person’s clothing can also lead to the development of this cancer.
Statistical data shows that after a five year span, ten percent of the mesothelioma patients survive. While this is a small fraction, this number is much higher than it was in previous decades. The individual mesothelioma survival rate depends on certain factors that vary between patients. The age of the victim plays a significant role in survival, as does the overall wellness of the individual. Younger patients who are otherwise healthy have a higher rate of survival than older patients with multiple conditions. It is important to diagnose this condition in its early stages in order to reduce the risk of the cancer metastasizing to other organs within the body. Once a victim has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, he or she should seek the assistance of a qualified attorney in order to gain compensation that could help cover the medical costs of combating and curing this disease.
