If mesothelioma is diagnosed at Stage I, this means the cancer has not yet had a chance to spread, making the patient’s outlook significantly better than if the disease were discovered in its later stages. However, Stage I usually does not come with any noticeable symptoms, which is why many patients are never diagnosed until the disease has progressed to a more advanced stage.
Stage I mesothelioma has a hopeful prognosis, and a life expectancy of up to 35 months after diagnosis. Since the cancer is localized, surgery can be quite effective at removing all visible tumor growth. However, since some cancer cells are inevitably left behind after surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy are often performed in conjunction with surgery (an approach called “multimodal therapy”).
Recent research suggests that life expectancy can be determined based on how the pleura appears. For example, in an examination involving 12 different studies, Stage I mesothelioma was identified by pleura that were either normal or inflamed in appearance. In contrast, the pleura was completely cancerous by Stage IV.
If you have a history of asbestos exposure, it is essential to have frequent medical examinations so you can catch mesothelioma in its earliest stages.
If you or one of your loved ones is suffering from mesothelioma, make sure you fight for the justice and fair compensation you deserve. Please contact TheLaw Office of Brown | Kiely, LLP today or call (410) 625-9330 to schedule a free case evaluation with our experienced Baltimore mesothelioma lawyer.
