Awaiting a mesothelioma prognosis is a rare occurrence. With so very many different types of cancer, mesothelioma is a very rare type that attacks the lungs. There are only close to 3% of cancer victims that are diagnosed with this type of cancer. Even though mesothelioma is concentrated to the lungs and their lining, this very deadly cancer can also attack the areas of the abdomen and also the heart. The male is more likely to be diagnosed with this rare type of cancer, approx. 4 more times more than females, for particular reasons such as workplace, that will lead to the development of the cancer.
To date, no cure for most types of mesothelioma has been discovered and a patient is usually diagnosed as terminal with only approximately 1 year of life expectancy from the point of the diagnosis. Although timing and early diagnosis along with immediate treatment may prolong the patients life with the condition, but the mesothelioma prognosis may remain terminal.
Asbestos material is the major cause in the past and present for mesothelioma. This was a material that was used consistently within many industries in very diverse ways throughout the years. It eventually became related to mesothelioma in the 1970′s as the cause of many health issues. Work place employment within most mines, many factories and shipyards as well as schools caused many people to become exposed to this cancer developing agent and being diagnosed as having mesothelioma in later years. Since many women were house wives back in those earlier days and they didn’t work the industrial sector or where exposure was most prominent, it was men who were mostly diagnosed and given a mesothelioma prognosis.
Diagnosis and Mesothelioma Prognosis
The greatest downfall of mesothelioma is that it may take extended lengths of time for this disease to appear after being exposed to the agent asbestos. Most of the individuals that become diagnosed with this form of cancer do so after 20 or 30 years of being exposed and working in the vicinity of asbestos, and by then, it is much too late to administer effective treatment thereby rendering a fatal mesothelioma prognosis.
Mesothelioma Types
One type of mesothelioma that is recognized to be non-cancerous is called Benign Mesothelioma. But, there is what is also a fatal mesothelioma known as malignant mesothelioma, This malignant mesothelioma comprises of 4 different types which include Pleural mesothelioma, Peritoneal mesothelioma, Pericardial Mesothelioma, and Testicular mesothelioma.
• Pleural Mesothelioma: Most patients are diagnosed with this type of mesothelioma. In this case the cancer has formed within the lung tissue or lining, which is also called the Pleural. Approximately 75% percent of victims are given a mesothelioma prognosis relating to this type.
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Peritoneal Mesothelioma: Close to 20% of mesothelioma diagnosis are of this type. Peritoneal Mesothelioma is found and located in the abdomen or peritoneal membrane.
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Pericardial Mesothelioma: With a much less number of cases, this type of mesothelioma is found within the pericardium which is known a the lining of the heart. Under 5% of all cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed with pericardial.
• Testicular Mesothelioma: This form of mesothelioma is found within the testicles and is This is the rarest form of mesothelioma, and is found in the testicles. Although rare a mesothelioma prognosis can still be fatal.