Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer that affects the delicate membranes surrounding the lungs, abdomen, and heart. Stage II mesothelioma is an early stage of the disease. The mesothelioma tumors have not spread far from where they first appeared, usually in the lung lining in the case of pleural mesothelioma. (Cancer.org)
It is estimated that the two-year survival rate for stage II mesothelioma is 38%, and the five-year survival rate is 11%. While the cancer is not curable, getting an early diagnosis and treatment can result in a better prognosis.
Is stage 2 mesothelioma curable? The cancer at this stage is challenging to diagnose because mesothelioma has latency period of 10 to 40 years, meaning that years can pass from the exposure to asbestos to the development of cancer. It often shows no symptoms until it is in the advanced stages. (Cancercenter.com)
In stage II mesothelioma, the tumor is still on one side of the chest. In stages III and IV, cancer may have metastasized and spread to the diaphragm or surface of the lung. Stage II mesothelioma usually responds well to treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation because the spread of the disease has been limited.
The best option after getting a stage II mesothelioma diagnosis is to locate a team of mesothelioma specialists who know how to treat this cancer. It is vital to get treatment as soon as you are diagnosed so cancer does not spread further than it already has.
Working with doctors who have treated stage II mesothelioma successfully will give you the best prognosis. Mesothelioma specialists know all about asbestos cancer and how to treat it. Not every medical center has mesothelioma specialists, so be sure to find the best specialists you can in your area.
Stage II mesothelioma symptoms are similar to those of other diseases. That is why many doctors will misdiagnose mesothelioma in the early stages as pneumonia or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Because mesothelioma is so rare, many doctors fail to consider the possibility when diagnosing the patient. (asbestos.com)
If you have a stage II diagnosis, the major symptom you feel probably the pressure in the chest from the buildup of fluid in the lining of your lungs. This is known as a pleural effusion. Where you feel the pressure depends on the exact location of the tumors. The pleural effusion occurs because the pleura begins to produce more fluid when it is irritated, inflamed, or diseased.
Patients who are diagnosed with stage II pleural mesothelioma may have trouble breathing because of pressure from the pleural effusion in the lining of the lung. In more advanced cases of mesothelioma, you may feel chest pain as the pleura hardens.
Other symptoms of stage II mesothelioma are:
Once mesothelioma cells have gotten to the hilar lymph nodes, the disease is considered stage II or higher, even if the main tumor growth is small. Hilar lymph nodes, also called N1 lymph nodes, are at the root of the lung.
There are two key characteristics of this stage of mesothelioma:
Tumor cells that have gotten to the hilar lymph nodes is the difference between stage II and stage I mesothelioma. In stage I, the cancer cells have not gotten to lymph nodes. In stage II, tumors may or may not have developed in the breathing muscle under the lungs or into lung tissue.
Stage 2 mesothelioma is treatable with surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Even if some lymph nodes are involved, there are good treatment options available for this cancer. Clinical trials offering immunotherapy and other novel treatments may be good options.
The bottom line is that stage 2 mesothelioma is treatable in many cases with cancer, chemotherapy, and radiation if you are diagnosed early. The cancer is not curable but a longer survival time is possible with proper diagnosis and treatment. It is important to be in regular contact with your physician if you know you were exposed to asbestos in your employment.
Your doctor can do regular chest X-rays to see if any abnormalities are developing. That way, if you ever do get mesothelioma, it can be caught in an early stage and your life may be extended by months or even years.
With over $30 billion available for victims through the Asbestos Trust Funds, you could be entitled to financial compensations without ever filing a lawsuit. Mesothelioma Stage 2 & Lung Cancer victims qualify immediately. Complete the form or call us toll-free (800) 352-0871.
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