Mesothelioma Life Expectancy: Factors & Ways to Improve (2024)

Mesothelioma is a terminal form of cancer caused by asbestos exposure. One of the biggest problems with treating this disease is the fact that symptoms usually do not appear until it has reached an advanced stage. With advanced mesothelioma, life expectancy is usually measured in months, but there are a few ways that someone diagnosed with this condition can manage their symptoms and maintain their quality of life for as long as possible.

Treating Mesothelioma and Extending Life Expectancy

The only known cause of mesothelioma is asbestos exposure, and it can take a very long time for this disease to start showing symptoms. These symptoms typically begin relatively mild at first and are often mistaken for less serious medical conditions. Over time, symptoms worsen, and once mesothelioma is diagnosed, it is usually at a later stage, and treatment options will be minimal.

The way to extend life expectancy with a mesothelioma diagnosis is early detection. The earlier the disease is identified, the more treatment options will be available to the patient, and these options will be far more effective than they would be if the disease was caught at a later stage. Unfortunately, early detection is not the norm when it comes to mesothelioma, and most patients are diagnosed once more serious symptoms have occurred at an advanced stage of the disease.

It is also important to remember that individual medical factors play huge roles in mesothelioma care. Some patients are more responsive to treatment than others, and some patients may not be able to handle multimodal care that involves a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation treatments. Certain lifestyle changes may also be beneficial, but these will also vary from patient to patient.

Additional factors that can influence mesothelioma life expectancy include the patient’s age, genetics, blood chemistry, and overall health. Ultimately, it is vital to take all of these factors into consideration, along with the stage of the disease, in order to determine the optimal course of treatment for extending life expectancy. However, at later stages, the optimal course may be little more than effective palliative care to keep the patient as comfortable as possible.

Legal Options for Mesothelioma

When you receive a diagnosis of mesothelioma, life expectancy is likely to be one of your primary concerns. Cancer treatment is notoriously expensive, even with good health insurance. You may wonder whether there are any legal options available to you that may help you recoup these costs, especially if you believe another party is responsible for the asbestos exposure that caused your condition.

If you believe you have grounds for a mesothelioma case, the team at Wallace & Graham, P.A., can assist you. We can review the records and documentation necessary to determine whether another party is responsible for your illness. If so, we can help you explore all your legal options and do everything we can to maximize the compensation you obtain.

You could be eligible to file a claim to a mesothelioma injury trust or have grounds for a personal injury suit. Whatever your case entails, it is possible to collect compensation for your medical expenses, future medical treatment costs, lost income, and the pain and suffering you experienced.

Mesothelioma Life Expectancy FAQs

Q: What Are the Early Symptoms of Mesothelioma?

A: The early symptoms of mesothelioma often mimic the appearance of other less serious conditions, such as pneumonia. Coughing, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, and other symptoms could be misdiagnosed, and later-stage mesothelioma may cause coughing up blood, pleural effusions, and increased fatigue. The speed at which this disease progresses varies from person to person based on numerous individual factors.

Q: How Long Does It Take for Mesothelioma to Develop?

A: Mesothelioma can take a very long time to develop. The latency period for this disease can be as long as fifty years, and it is also possible for it to manifest in as little as 10 years or even sooner with repeated exposures to asbestos. The average time it takes for mesothelioma to develop in a noticeable way is roughly 25 years. This can make it difficult for someone diagnosed with the disease to accurately determine when they were initially exposed.

Q: Is Mesothelioma 100% Fatal?

A: Mesothelioma is considered to be a terminal form of cancer, and this is primarily due to the fact that effective treatment is only possible with very early detection of the disease. Because the disease takes a very long time to start causing noticeable symptoms, by the time a person has been diagnosed, their condition has likely progressed to a critical stage. While these cases are rare, early detection can potentially enable effective treatment that leads to remission.

Q: What Is the Treatment for End-Stage Mesothelioma?

A: The treatment for end-stage mesothelioma generally focuses on managing symptoms, maintaining comfort, and extending the patient’s life expectancy as much as possible. At this point, invasive surgical procedures are unlikely to yield any substantial benefits and may cause more harm than good. End-stage mesothelioma life expectancy may be as little as 12 months, but some patients have surpassed their estimated life expectancy with the right care.

Q: How Can a Lawyer Help With a Mesothelioma Diagnosis?

A: There are many ways a lawyer can help with a mesothelioma diagnosis. An experienced attorney can help you determine whether a specific party is responsible for causing the condition and, if so, assist you in holding them accountable for all related damages. You may have grounds to file a claim through a mesothelioma injury trust, or you may qualify to file a personal injury suit. It’s worth consulting an attorney to discuss your options after a mesothelioma diagnosis.

The team at Wallace & Graham, P.A., has extensive professional experience handling a wide range of mesothelioma claims. We can help you determine whether you have grounds for legal recourse, and if so, we can guide you through the necessary proceedings to ensure accountability and recover compensation for you and your family’s damages. Contact us today and schedule a free consultation with our team to learn how we can assist with your mesothelioma case.