What is the survival rate of mesothelioma stage 3?
Stage 3 of mesothelioma is the most advanced stage of the disease, according to the American Cancer Society. In the third stage, tumours have begun to expand further and quicker. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are standard first-line therapies, although surgery is still an option for many stage 3 patients.
Stage 3 Pleural Mesothelioma: What Is It?
The tissue on the other side of the chest is free of malignancies in stage 3. Pleural lining, diaphragm, and heart wall lining may also be affected. Lymph node involvement distinguishes stage 2 from stage 3. Lymph nodes are frequently affected early on in the course of mesothelioma because the disease progresses through the lymphatic system.
Symptoms of Mesothelioma in Stage 3
The symptoms of mesothelioma grow as the disease advances. First and second stage symptoms might go unnoticed by some people for long periods of time. Stage 3 individuals, on the other hand, are more prone to have new symptoms. As tumours and cancer cells expand, these symptoms get worse. In some cases, tumours can put pressure on the lungs, making it difficult to breathe. In order to fight mesothelioma, the immune system has to work harder. Nutrients may not be as easily processed by your body. This might lead to exhaustion or a lack of desire to eat.
At this point, you may experience the following symptoms:
Heartache
Fatigue
The inability to eat
Breathlessness
An accumulation of pus or fluid in the lungs (fluid buildup)
Weakness
Loss of weight
Many of these symptoms can be treated by your doctor. Patients with mesothelioma at any stage are likely to get palliative care (symptom control). Stage-specific medications are frequent. If you’re in the third stage, your doctor may suggest that you have fluid from your chest drained to make breathing easier. The fluid is removed from the pleural space by inserting a needle or a tiny tube into the pleural space while you are under anaesthesia. Pleurodesis is another treatment option for pleural effusions. This prevents fluid from accumulating between the pleural linings.
Mesothelioma Treatment for Stage 3
For stage 3 cancer patients, surgery is optional, as a cure may not be achievable at this point. Both an extrapleural pneumonectomy and pleurectomy with decortication are surgical options for those who need them. Radiation treatment and chemotherapy are needed to kill off any remaining cancer cells that were not removed during surgery.
Your greatest hope for a long life is to pursue aggressive therapies like surgery. You have the right to seek a second opinion if your primary care physician does not believe surgery is appropriate for you. If you have a good doctor, they will allow you to get a second opinion.
Even if your doctor doesn’t recommend a colleague, he or she may know someone who can. Previously, surgeons were reluctant to do surgery on patients who were in the third stage of cancer because it was considered too dangerous, but this is changing rapidly. People with stage 3 cancer have a median life expectancy of 16 months. According to this figure, half of all patients will live for more than 16 months and half of all patients will live for less than 16.
