As you have likely been informed by your doctor, mesothelioma is an aggressive form of cancer, the prognosis for which is poor. This is so because mesothelioma has a long latency period, which means most cases are not detected until an advanced stage. Unfortunately, many patients live less than a year after their diagnosis. That said, a mesothelioma prognosis can include several treatment options to help fight the disease and improve quality of life. A mesothelioma prognosis in Texas legal cases may also make a big difference in your potential compensation for the harm you have suffered. Contact our mesothelioma attorneys to learn more about your legal options.
Mesothelioma: What Is It & What Compensation Is Available?
Mesothelioma: Why Choose a Texas Attorney?
Prognosis Varies by Type of Mesothelioma
There are several different types of mesothelioma, determined by where the cancer first starts. We’ll use two phrases regarding prognosis that require definition:
- Life expectancy: The length of time a patient may survive; the number of months/years can change depending on the treatment.
- Survival rate: This is a statistic that shows how many patients live X length of time after their diagnosis.
Each type of mesothelioma has a different prognosis, and depending on your circumstances, it could change the damages you can pursue in a personal injury case in Texas. Prognoses include:
- Pleural mesothelioma: Accounting for up to 90 percent of all mesothelioma cases, this form of cancer affects the lining of your lungs. Patients who undergo treatment (surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or a combination) live for an average of 6 to 18 months after diagnosis.
- Peritoneal mesothelioma: Making up 15 to 20 percent of mesothelioma cases, this form of cancer affects the lining of the abdomen. The average life expectancy for patients is one year. If the cancer is detected early, the prognosis is much brighter – these patients can undergo surgery and/or chemotherapy, leading to a five-year survival rate up to 67 percent.
- Pericardial mesothelioma: This is a very rare form of mesothelioma, affecting 1 to 2 percent of patients. Unfortunately, this form is extremely hard to detect; many people aren’t properly diagnosed until an autopsy is conducted. The prognosis is about six months.
- Testicular mesothelioma: The rarest of all mesothelioma types, this is seen in 1 percent of all cases. The life expectancy averages 20 to 23 months, though with treatment some live much longer.
What Factors Affect Mesothelioma Prognosis?
Doctors factor in five items when analyzing the prognosis of a patient:
- What stage is the cancer in? (1,2, 3 or 4; 4 is the most advanced)
- What cell type is the cancer?
- Where in the body is the cancer located?
- Has the cancer spread (metastasized)?
- What is the patient’s overall health? (healthier people can undergo more treatment)
Our Texas Lawyers Are Here to Help You Understand How Your Mesothelioma Prognosis Affects a Legal Case
The lawyers of Ted Lyon Law have successfully represented many clients with difficult mesothelioma prognoses in Texas legal cases. As one of the leading injury law firms in Texas, we would be proud to evaluate your mesothelioma claim and potentially obtain compensation on your behalf. Schedule your free attorney consultation with an award-winning lawyer by calling our office at 877-Ted-Lyon (833-5966) or contact us online anytime.
