Mesothelioma Treatment Options

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer in which malignant cells attack the mesothelium, or protective lining that surrounds many internal organs. Since the cancer is often discovered late, many mesothelioma treatments focus on improving the patients' quality of life. Those mesothelioma treatments that attempt to slow or remove the cancer growth are often aggressive in nature.

The following factors will help the doctor to determine the best course of mesothelioma treatment:

• Stage and location of the cancer
• Age of the patient
• Patient's overall health
• Potential risks and benefits of the mesothelioma treatment

Traditional Mesothelioma Treatments

Listed below are some of the more traditional mesothelioma treatments:

• Surgery - a pneumonectomy or pleurectomy may be performed to remove diseased tissues
• Radiation - may be performed in lieu of or alongside surgery to kill off cancerous or abnormal cells in a specific target area
• Chemotherapy - a more aggressive form of treatment used to kill cancerous cells throughout the body
• Palliative treatments - may be used to alleviate pain by draining excess fluid from the affected areas, or by various other methods

New and Alternative Mesothelioma Treatments

The National Cancer Institute continues to sponsor clinical trials that are designed to find new mesothelioma treatments and enhance existing ones. Many new and alternative mesothelioma treatments work in conjunction with traditional treatments. Included below are a variety of some new and alternative mesothelioma treatment options:

• Immunotherapy
• Photodynamic therapy
• Intensity Modulated Radiation therapy
• Gene therapy
• New chemotherapy agents
• Alternative therapies including acupuncture, homeopathy, herbs, massage, etc.

To learn more about these and other mesothelioma treatment options, you should consult with a physician experienced in mesothelioma treatment.

If you have developed mesothelioma as a result of asbestos exposure , you may be entitled to seek compensation for your losses. Please contact us today for a FREE consultation with one of our compassionate and experienced mesothelioma lawyers.

Mesothelioma Statistics - General Mesothelioma Statistics

Mesothelioma is diagnosed in 2,000 to 3,000 new patients each year. Approximately 70 to 80 percent of all cases of mesothelioma are found to be the direct result of asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma has a long latency period, usually lasting from 10 to 50 years. During this time, sufferers may have no symptoms. As a result, mesothelioma statistics may not accurately reflect the number of people who develop the disease.

If you or someone you love developed mesothelioma as a result of asbestos exposure, you may be entitled to seek compensation for your losses and suffering. Please contact us today to learn more about your legal rights and options.

Age, Sex and Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma statistics show that the disease affects men more commonly than women, probably because men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos in the workplace. Mesothelioma is also more common among people between the ages of 50 and 70, which is likely due to the disease’s long latency period. However, an increase in the number of cases reported in people between the ages of 30 and 40 seems to indicate a rise in secondary exposure. 

Mesothelioma Statistics by Industry and Occupation

Many industries put their workers at a high risk for exposure to asbestos and consequently for the development of mesothelioma. Over 1.3 million people in the construction industry are exposed to asbestos annually. People in the following industries also face an increased risk of asbestos exposure: 

· Railroad
· Manufacturing 
· Automobile-related
· Shipyard

Teaching and farming – seemingly innocuous occupations – tend to havehigh mesothelioma rates as well.

Mesothelioma Statistics: Prognosis and Life Expectancy

The average life expectancy of a person with mesothelioma at the time of diagnosis is one year. If cancer is found early and aggressively treated, a patient may be able to live between two and five years from the time of diagnosis. According to mesothelioma statistics, between 43,000 and 230,000 people nationwide have died from asbestos-related cancer. 

There is no cure for mesothelioma. A person with mesothelioma can expect to pay between $400,000 and $800,000 for oxygen, medication, and other treatment.

If you have mesothelioma, please contact us today for a FREE consultation with an experienced mesothelioma attorney who can examine your case thoroughly and help you plan the best course of action. You may be eligible to recover compensation for your losses and treatment costs.

See our pages on mesothelioma deaths recorded by industry, andmesothelioma deaths recorded by occupation for more mesothelioma statistics.