Any kind of cancer diagnosis brings up the question of life expectancy. With mesothelioma, it is often difficult for doctors to give a definitive answer about the expected survival rate. There are many factors that come into play when trying to determine a prognosis, including the stage of the disease, the patient’s overall health, the type of mesothelioma, and the ever-evolving nature of treatment. Mesothelioma patients must cope with a lot of uncertainty, which is why finding a Maryland mesothelioma lawyer is one of the most important steps you can take following a diagnosis.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, please contact The Law Office of Brown | Kiely, LLP today, or call 410.625.9330 to set up a free initial consultation with our Maryland mesothelioma lawyer.
Staging and Prognosis
One of the primary ways that a mesothelioma prognosis can be estimated is by determining the stage of the disease. The stages of mesothelioma are outlined based on specific criteria for symptoms. Like most cancers, the earlier mesothelioma is caught, the better the outcome is likely to be. The four stages are outlined below:
- Stage I—Cancer is primarily localized to the lining of the chest wall. Stage I mesothelioma is highly treatable.
- Stage II—Cancer has advanced into the lungs and/or diaphragm.
- Stage III—Further advancement of the cancer has spread into the lymph nodes, trachea, and esophagus, or the pericardium, tissues of the rib cage, and tissues surrounding the lungs.
- Stage IV—The most advanced stage. Cancer cannot be removed by surgery, and has spread into the peritoneum, to the other chest organs, or to other distant areas of the body.
If you have further questions about mesothelioma prognosis, please contact The Law Office of Brown | Kiely, LLP today or call (410) 625-9330 to speak with one of our experienced Maryland mesothelioma lawyers.
