Is Stage 1 Mesothelioma Curable?
There is no cure for Stage 1 mesothelioma, but the cancer can be put into remission if it is caught early. An early diagnosis also means there are more treatment options at this stage than later ones. Patients that have detected the disease early have been able to outlive their prognosis by years. Doctors hope to be able to change mesothelioma from a terminal disease into a chronic illness with new therapies, but the disease today remains incurable.
What Happens in Stage 1 Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma begins in the thin pleural lining of the lungs and occurs in several stages. There are several different classification systems that outline what occurs during Stage 1. These three systems are the Butchart System, the Brigham System, and the TNM Staging System. While there are some differences between what each system classifies as Stage 1, there are broad commonalities between them.
Stage 1A Mesothelioma
In this stage, tumors will develop on one side of the chest within one pleural layer or both. In the past, this stage was broken down further into T1a and T1b stages. However, they are now merged into one stage since a diagnosis during one stage or the other has no impact on survivability.
Stage 1B Mesothelioma
During stage 2b, tumors have spread beyond the pleural lining and into other tissues nearby, such as the lung and its surrounding muscle. However, it has not yet spread to the lymph nodes and remias confined to the chest area.
The First Signs of Mesothelioma
Stage 1 mesothelioma usually has few to no distinctive symptoms, making it so uncommon to detect at this stage. Those suffering from it might have a slight cough or symptoms similar to a cold or pneumonia. However, people may experience gastrointestinal distress during stage 1. Common symptoms include the following:
- Chest pain
- Abdominal pain
- Fever
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea
- Reduced appetite
Detection of mesothelioma at this stage is usually made when doctors are looking for other diseases. The disease will show up on a CT scan or an X-ray, typically when it has advanced beyond the first stage.
Can I Get Compensation for Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma typically develops in the course of someone’s employment or after exposure to large amounts of asbestos. As such, it’s often possible for victims suffering from it to pursue compensation claims against a former employer or manufacturer that exposed them to asbestos. These claims are often resolved in settlements, but it may be necessary to escalate to court. Follow the link for answers to common questions regarding mesothelioma settlements.
What Treatments are Available for Stage 1 Mesothelioma?
Current treatments for stage 1 mesothelioma include the following:
- Surgery
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation therapy
- Emerging therapies
- Clinical trials
The types of treatments someone will undergo for mesothelioma depend on their overall health and the progression of the cancer itself. A healthy individual might receive all of the above therapies and extend their life for years beyond what was originally expected. However, older or less healthy individuals may have limited treatment options available to them.
How Long Can People With Stage 1 Mesothelioma Live?
For those diagnosed with stage 1 mesothelioma, the prognosis is much better than it is for those who had their disease caught later. The American Cancer Society reported that 20% of people diagnosed at this stage survived for more than 5 years. According to a 2019 study, the median patient life expectancy stood at 20 months, nearly five months longer than those at other stages.
Catching mesothelioma early is key to receiving better treatment and living longer with a higher quality of life. If you think you’ve been exposed to asbestos in your life or career, seek out the appropriate medical tests to catch the illness if you have it before it progresses.
