Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that’s nearly always caused by being exposed to asbestos. In this illness, malevolent cells develop in the mesothelium, a protecting lining that covers almost all of the body’s internal organs. Its most common site is the pleura ( outer lining of the lungs and internal chest wall ), but it might also occur in the peritoneum ( the lining of the intestinal cavity ), the heart, the pericardium ( a sac that surrounds the heart ) or tunica vaginalis.

Mesothelioma survival relies upon a wide variety of factors - the level of cancer, age and general health of the patient etc. A five-year scale is used by the experienced persons in mesothelioma research and treatment to calculate survival. Mesothelioma survival is so difficult that only around ten percent of the total patients diagnosed have reached the five-year target so far.

The chances of mesothelioma survival can be enhanced by vigorous and continued treatment. Depending on the response of the patient to the treatment chances of survival also varies. The treatment success is controlled by various factors. The most important thing is that success depends upon the stage of the cancer at the time of diagnosis. If the disease is detected early, the chances of survival and cure are more. The third and fourth stages have very little chances of survival, whereas the first and the second stages can be healed through chemotherapy and surgery.

The significant aspects of mesothelioma survival are the size and area, where the tumor is found, the level of extra fluid collected in the abdomen, the structure and type of cancer cells etc. There are basically three types of mesothelioma cancer. Pleural mesothelioma is the first type, which affects the lining of the abdomen; peritoneal cancer ruins the abdominal cavity; and the third one, the pericardial is found in the area around the heart. Though the third one is rarely seen, it is more malicious than the other two.

After analyzing the mesothelioma survival rates for the last few years, the medical community has arrived at the conclusion that this asbestos cancer is highly lethal and incidents of mesothelioma cancer infection is increasing around the world. It has also been found that chemotherapy is the most effective for most cases where surgery is not advisable for some reason. However, researchers are working on new and more effective treatment strategies to counter the frightening threat of this cancer, which has already ruined the lives of thousands amongst us.

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