Asbestos and Mesothelioma Survival Rates

Nov 6, 2023 | General Health and Psychology Tips

Asbestos and Mesothelioma Survival Rates

Guides For Asbestos and Mesothelioma Survival Rates

(Update 06/11/2023)

 

This is a straightforward guide for asbestos and mesothelioma cancer survival rates.

 

Asbestos and Mesothelioma Survival Rates

  1. What is Mesothelioma?
  2. Asbestos Exposure and Low Mesothelioma Survival Rates
  3. What is asbestos?
  4. Types of asbestos
  5. Asbestos exposure is the main cause of Mesothelioma cancer
  6. Mesothelioma Symptoms
  7. Mesothelioma Life Expectancy and Mesothelioma survival rates
  8. Mesothelioma Treatment
  9. Need Professional Advice?

 


 

Asbestos and Mesothelioma Updates

 

Asbestos: A deadly legacy.  A new report has found that asbestos-related diseases are still killing thousands of Australians each year. The report, commissioned by the Asbestos Diseases Foundation of Australia, found that there were an estimated 5,000 asbestos-related deaths in 2021. This is down from around 8,000 deaths in the early 2000s, but it is still a significant number.

New hope for mesothelioma patients: A new clinical trial has shown that a combination of two immunotherapy drugs can significantly improve the survival rates of mesothelioma patients. The trial, which was conducted in Australia and the United States, found that the combination therapy was able to shrink tumors and prolong life in patients with advanced mesothelioma.

Asbestos compensation scheme extended: The Australian government has announced that it will extend the Asbestos Diseases Compensation Scheme by another 10 years. The scheme provides financial assistance to people who have developed asbestos-related diseases, such as mesothelioma and lung cancer. The extension of the scheme will mean that people who are diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases in the next decade will still be eligible for compensation.

 

What are asbestos and mesothelioma?

 

Mesothelioma is cancer affecting the mesothelial cells which cover most internal organs. There are two main types of mesothelioma; pleural and peritoneal.

Mesothelioma is a rare and deadly cancer caused by asbestos exposure. It affects the tissue that lines organs in the body. This double tissue layer is called the mesothelium. Classifying mesothelioma by type depends on the part of the mesothelium in which the primary tumor has grown. Peritoneal mesothelioma starts in the peritoneum, the lining of the abdominal organs.

The five-year survival rate for mesothelioma is approximately 6%.

 

Cancer Council. 2018. Mesothelioma. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.cancer.org.au/about-cancer/types-of-cancer/mesothelioma.html. [Accessed 31 January 2019].

 

Guides For Asbestos and Mesothelioma Survival Rates

Mesothelioma. Digital image. Mayo Clinic. August 11, 2017, Image URL.

 

“Mesothelioma is an aggressive and deadly form of cancer. Treatments are available, but for many people with mesothelioma, a cure is not possible. Asbestos is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma. Reducing your exposure to asbestos — directly and secondhand — may lower your risk of mesothelioma.

 

MayoClinic. 2017. Living With Cancer: The connection between asbestos and mesothelioma. [ONLINE] Available at:  https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/living-with-cancer-the-connection-between-asbestos-and-mesothelioma/. [Accessed 31 January 2019].”

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Asbestos Exposure and Low Mesothelioma Survival Rates

 

“Mesothelioma can develop decades after exposure to asbestos. Mesothelioma usually targets the outer membrane of the lungs (pleura), but can also occur in the membrane lining of the abdominal cavity (peritoneum). Uncommonly, the heart or reproductive organs may be affected.

Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer. Malignant (cancerous) cells develop in the mesothelium, the protective sac that covers most of the body’s internal organs. Mesothelioma generally starts in the outer membrane of the lungs (pleura), but can also occur in the lining of the abdominal cavity (peritoneum). Uncommonly, the heart or reproductive organs may be affected. Treatment depends on where the cancer is found and whether it has spread.

Currently, there is no cure for mesothelioma unless it is found early and can be removed through surgery. Unfortunately, symptoms of mesothelioma do not usually show up until it is in its late stages. This means mesothelioma is most often diagnosed when it has already advanced beyond the option of surgical removal. If this is the case, treatment will aim to prolong life and keep the person as comfortable as possible.

Australia has one of the highest rates of mesothelioma in the world. This is due to the high rate of asbestos use and mining over many years. In 2007 there were nearly 600 people diagnosed with mesothelioma in Australia. Of these new cases, 81percentt were men.

In Victoria, in 2011, there were nearly 131 cases diagnosed. Experts believe the number of people diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases will not peak until 2020. Since 1980, there have been about 13,000 new cases of mesothelioma in Australia.

 

Better Health Victoria. 2014. Mesothelioma. [ONLINE] Available at:  https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/mesothelioma. [Accessed 31 January 2019].”

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Guides For Asbestos and Mesothelioma Survival Rates

Hazard: A piece of asbestos building material. Digital image. Frankston City Council (Australia). July 04, 2021, Image URL.

 

What are asbestos and mesothelioma?

 

“Asbestos is the name used for a group of naturally occurring minerals. They have resistance to high temperatures and fire and make effective insulators and so were popular in building products in Australia from the 1940s to 1987. Asbestos-containing materials include:

  • flat and corrugated sheeting
  • cement pipes
  • insulation
  • floor tiles
  • adhesives
  • roofing
  • automobile parts such as brake pads
  • textiles
  • textured paints.

 

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Type of Asbestos

According to The Australian Government’s Asbestos and Eradication Agency report.

Asbestos is a naturally-occurring mineral fiber.

Historically, it has been mined and used by many industries worldwide.

Asbestos was once considered to be a very useful mineral because it is flexible, strong, affordable, and can insulate from heat and electricity. Because of this, it was commonly used in the construction of homes and buildings.

Exposure to asbestos fibers can cause life-threatening illnesses, so the use of asbestos has been greatly reduced and it is now banned in 61 countries.

 

There are six types of asbestos mineral fibers:

 

Australia Asbestos and Eradication Agency. 2017. About asbestos. [ONLINE] Available at https://www.asbestossafety.gov.au/about-asbestos/about-asbestos. [Accessed 9 May 2019].”

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Asbestos exposure is the main cause of Mesothelioma cancer

 

Asbestos is extremely fibrous and the tiny fibers are easily breathed in where they can become trapped in the lungs. Being exposed to asbestos increases the risk of developing cancers of the lungovary, and larynx as well as mesothelioma (cancer of the lining of the lung). These cancers often develop decades after exposure to asbestos.

 

Cancer Council. 2018. Asbestos. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.cancer.org.au/preventing-cancer/workplace-cancer/asbestos.html. [Accessed 31 January 2019].”

 

Guides For Asbestos and Mesothelioma Survival Rates

Guides For Asbestos and Mesothelioma Survival Rates

Hazard: A piece of asbestos roofing. Digital image. Cancer Council QLD. Nov 21, 2018, Image URL.

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Asbestos and Mesothelioma Symptoms

 

Pleural Mesothelioma

The most common pleural mesothelioma symptoms are chest pain, pleural effusions (fluid buildup), painful breathing and a persistent cough.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

The most common symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma are stomach pains, ascites (fluid buildup), unexplained weight loss and loss of appetite.

 

Pericardial Mesothelioma

The most common symptoms of the pericardial mesothelioma are chest pains, pericardial effusion (fluid buildup) and heart murmurs.

 

Mesothelioma Guide.  2018. Mesothelioma Symptoms – Critical Signs to Watch For. [ONLINE] Available at:  https://www.mesotheliomaguide.com/mesothelioma/symptoms/.  [Accessed 05 May 2019].”

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Asbestos and mesothelioma life expectancy and survival rates

 

“Average life expectancy for mesothelioma patients is 12 – 21 months. How long a patient lives depends on several factors, including age, stage of the disease and overall health. Approximately 40% of patients live past one year, and 9% live longer than five years. A malignant mesothelioma is an aggressive form of cancer with symptoms that don’t typically show up until the later stages. Life expectancy for mesothelioma patients is generally short, especially without treatment, and varies significantly from patient to patient based on a number of individual factors and circumstances. Long-term survival is extremely rare, with fewer than 10% of patients living beyond five years. Early detection and quality health care are the most important factors in improving one’s prognosis.”

Mesothelioma.com. 2018. Mesothelioma Life Expectancy. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.mesothelioma.com/mesothelioma/prognosis/life-expectancy.htm. [Accessed 31 January 2019].”

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Asbestos and Mesothelioma Survival Rates

Mesothelioma Surgery. Digital image. Mesothelioma Help. 2018, Image URL.

 

Mesothelioma Treatment

 

“Surgery is the most effective way for mesothelioma patients to extend their life expectancy. There are surgical options for pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma. Multimodal therapy is a combination of two or more treatment options, including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Overall, using more than one treatment has improved the life expectancy of patients with mesothelioma in any location, pleural or peritoneal. “

 

Mesothelioma Group. 2018. What is the life expectancy of a person with mesothelioma?. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.mesotheliomagroup.com/mesothelioma/prognosis/life-expectancy/. [Accessed 31 January 2019].”

 

Malignant mesothelioma is an incurable cancer, but there are several treatments available that can help extend a patient’s life. These treatments can be tailored to each individual patient and may include surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiation therapy. Palliative care is also an option for some patients to improve their quality of life.

 

Surgery is usually recommended for patients who are in the early stages of cancer and are in good general health. Depending on the type of mesothelioma, there are different surgical options available, including extrapleural pneumonectomy, pleurectomy/decortication, and cytoreductive surgery. Chemotherapy can be used as a standalone treatment or combined with surgery, and may be given before or after surgery to shrink the tumor or target any remaining cancer cells. Immunotherapy is a relatively new treatment that uses the body’s own immune system to fight cancer. Other treatments, such as radiation therapy and tumor-treating fields, may also be used depending on the individual case. Some patients may also choose to try complementary and alternative medicine treatments to help with symptom control and comfort.

 

Surgery

 

The most common treatment for mesothelioma involves a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Supportive treatments can help relieve symptoms and improve the quality of life for many mesothelioma patients.

Patients diagnosed in the early stages benefit most from surgery. It offers them the best chance at living longer lives. These procedures remove tumors from the chest area and improve quality of life.

Chemotherapy

 

Doctors may recommend chemotherapy to patients who are not eligible for surgery. This mesothelioma treatment also helps extend survival rates. A 2016 Wayne State University study found patients given a combination of chemo drugs lived three times longer than patients without it.

Radiation

 

Radiation therapy controls symptoms when surgery is not an option. It eases symptoms such as chest pain and discomfort. And it can also reduce the risk of local recurrence when combined with surgery.

 

asbestos.com. 2018. Mesothelioma Treatment. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.asbestos.com/treatment/. [Accessed 10 May 2019].”

 

Asbestos and Mesothelioma Legal Advices Chatsifieds

 

Need professional advice?

 

“According to the American Cancer Society, about 3,000 new mesothelioma cases are diagnosed annually in the United States. The number of mesothelioma cases in the U.S. increased from the 1970s to the early 1990s, but they have since leveled off. On a global scale, we continue to see rising rates of new mesothelioma cases, including mesothelioma deaths. Over 20 million people in the U.S. are at risk of developing malignant mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure, and it’s these people that Lawfirm is here to help. Lawfirm.com gives victims of asbestos exposure access to free educational resources and an extensive legal network that’s vetted, experienced, and ready to help. Our mission is to empower people with the information they need to recover from their injuries – and to hold the companies that injured them accountable.”

The Mesothelioma Veterans Center provides information about treatment, clinical trials, and VA benefits to veterans suffering from asbestos-related illnesses. We’ve had the honor of helping hundreds of veterans pursue compensation after developing mesothelioma or asbestos-related lung cancer from their asbestos exposure in the military.

Each year, countless individuals are diagnosed with preventable asbestos-related lung cancer, a devastating illness linked to smoking, asbestos exposure, and other factors. Despite knowing asbestos’s dangers, many companies neglected action, impacting patients and their families. Lung Cancer Group assists by providing guidance on treatment options and pursuing financial aid, offering hope amidst these challenges.

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