Four Stages of Mesothelioma – How to Determine Your Stage?

Mesothelioma is a terminal form of lung cancer with a single known cause: exposure to asbestos. One of the most challenging aspects of this disease is the fact that it takes a very long time to develop noticeable symptoms. It’s possible for someone to be exposed to asbestos once, and they will not experience symptoms for many years or even decades, and at this point, they have reached the later stages of mesothelioma.

Understanding the Stages of Mesothelioma

Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma to develop, and this disease has a very long latency period before it will begin causing noticeable symptoms. The most common forms of mesothelioma are pleural mesothelioma in the lungs, caused by inhalation of asbestos, and peritoneal mesothelioma in the abdominal organs, caused by ingestion of asbestos. Once these particles enter the body, they embed in tissue, gradually causing mesothelioma to develop.

It can take years or sometimes decades before a victim will begin experiencing symptoms of mesothelioma. At the early stages of mesothelioma, the most common symptoms mimic less serious respiratory conditions like asthma or pneumonia. Many patients are misdiagnosed, or they do not experience symptoms at all until the disease has reached a critical stage. In the later stages of mesothelioma, there are very few treatment options.

While it is possible to treat mesothelioma at the early stages, it is rare for patients to enter remission. Additionally, it is quite rare for mesothelioma to be detected at the early stages because it generally does not cause noticeable symptoms. Treatment is most effective at stage one or stage two, and once the patient has reached stage three, surgical treatment and more invasive procedures are the only viable options.

At stage four of mesothelioma, the disease has spread into the lymph nodes and into the other side of the body from where it initially manifested. At this point, the optimal course of treatment in most cases is managing the patient’s symptoms, keeping them as comfortable as possible, and exploring treatments that may increase their remaining lifespan.

What Are the Treatments for Mesothelioma?

It is possible to treat mesothelioma in several ways based on the stage of the disease. At the early stage, surgical treatment may remove the cancerous tissues before they are able to spread. Chemotherapy and radiation treatments may be used in conjunction with surgery to reduce the ability of the cancer to spread as much as possible. However, it is not guaranteed to succeed for every patient.

Anyone considering treatment for mesothelioma must understand that early detection and individual health factors are some of the most important variables when it comes to determining which treatment options are likely to be most effective. Treatment is also expensive, even with high-quality health insurance. The victim may not only face expensive medical bills, but they may also be unable to work and earn income due to their symptoms.

If you believe your diagnosis was the result of another party’s actions, you may have grounds for a personal injury claim, or you could qualify to file a claim through a mesothelioma injury trust. It is important to consult an experienced attorney to determine whether you have any viable legal options that may assist you and your family in recovering compensation that may help you manage the cost of treating the various stages of mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma Stages FAQs

Q: How Long Does Each Stage of Mesothelioma Last?

A: The time that each stage of mesothelioma lasts depends on multiple factors. This disease has a very long incubation period, and once symptoms have appeared in a noticeable way, the mesothelioma has likely reached an advanced stage. However, individual factors may cause the disease to progress more rapidly. It is difficult to assign a timetable to cancer stages as it will affect everyone differently and progress at different rates.

Q: What Is the Incubation Period for Mesothelioma?

A: The incubation period for mesothelioma is quite long, and it can take many years for asbestos fibers inside of the body to cause mesothelioma to develop. Some people will be exposed to asbestos and not experience any symptoms for many years or even decades. Unfortunately, the symptoms of the early stages of mesothelioma resemble symptoms of less serious illnesses, and some individuals may not believe they have such a serious disease at first.

Q: What Is the Life Expectancy of a Person With Stage Four Mesothelioma?

A: The life expectancy of a person with stage four mesothelioma may be as little as 12 months. While surgical options and specific treatments can help manage their symptoms and extend their life expectancy, results are generally marginal, and individual factors play an important role in survival rates. The unfortunate reality is that mesothelioma is a terminal form of lung cancer, and even when caught in the early stages, the patient may only have a little more than a year.

Q: Can Early Stage Mesothelioma Be Treated?

A: Yes, it is possible to treat early stage mesothelioma, and some patients who have undergone this treatment have gone into remission. However, one of the most challenging issues with mesothelioma is the fact that the disease generally isn’t noticeable until it has reached an advanced stage. At this point, treatment options are more risky and unlikely to result in a patient entering remission.

Q: Should I Hire a Lawyer After a Mesothelioma Diagnosis?

A: It’s a good idea to hire a lawyer after a mesothelioma diagnosis. Asbestos exposure is the only known cause of this disease, so if another party is responsible for this exposure, you may have grounds for legal recourse against them that may yield substantial compensation for you and your family. An experienced attorney can help you trace the origin of your condition and identify the parties that may be responsible for your damages.

Wallace & Graham, P.A., knows how traumatic it can be for anyone to receive a mesothelioma diagnosis, and we provide compassionate legal counsel to those seeking accountability and compensation for this condition. If you believe another party is responsible for the asbestos exposure that caused your mesothelioma diagnosis, we can help. Contact us today and schedule a free consultation with our team to learn more about the legal services we provide.