Once mesothelioma has started to spread from the original tumor site, the cancer is categorized as Stage II. In this stage, noticeable symptoms will finally emerge, but they will still be mild and vague for the most part. Depending on the type of mesothelioma you have (pleural, peritoneal, or pericardial), symptoms of Stage II mesothelioma can include:
– Cough
– Difficulty breathing
– Bloating
– Pain
– Weight loss
– Changes in bowel habits
– Chest pain
– Night sweats
Stage II mesothelioma can be treated using a variety of means. At this stage, even though the tumor has started to grow, it is usually still contained to one area of the body, making surgery an important and potentially curative part of any treatment plan.
Your doctor may advise a specific type of surgery called extrapleural pneumonectomy, which involves completely removing the affected lung. Another option is pleurectomy/decortication, which only removes the lining of the lung and the chest wall. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are usually combined with surgery to kill as many cancer cells as possible. If you are not a good candidate for surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy will be used alone.
In a study of 131 mesothelioma patients, those diagnosed at Stage II had an average survival rate of 16 months. However, some Stage II patients have lived for years after their diagnosis.
If you or one of your loved ones is suffering from mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure, make sure you fight for justice and fair compensation. Please contact The Law Office of Brown | Kiely, LLP today or call (410) 625-9330 to schedule a free case evaluation with our experienced Baltimore mesothelioma lawyer.
