Mesothelioma Prognosis
Mesothelioma is a deadly type of cancer. There is no known cure. While survival times do vary, 12 to 18 months is considered the normal life expectancy for a mesothelioma patient. However, there are a variety of factors that impact life expectancy. Early detection, the patient's age, caliber of medical treatment, type of medical treatment, and the patient's genetics all play important factors. If a patient has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, having an upbeat attitude and having the support of family and friends can also be important in increasing life expectancy.
In extremely rare cases, patients have defied all odds and lived for extended periods with mesothelioma. There is the famous case of evolutionary biologist Jay Gould. He lived for 20 years after a diagnosis of peritoneal mesothelioma in 1982 before passing away from another illness. Other individuals have lived more than ten years following mesothelioma diagnosis.
Australian author Paul Kraus, who was diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma in 1997, is still alive and enjoys a good quality of life. Kraus rejected conventional treatment methods has used a verity of complementary treatment modalities including a reformed vegetarian diet, intravenous vitamin C, and traditional Chinese medicine. Kraus wrote a book about his experience called "Surviving Mesothelioma and Other Cancers: A Patient's Guide".
The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation helps offer hope to mesothelioma patients and their families. It is a non–profit organization dedicated to ending the suffering caused by mesothelioma by funding mesothelioma research, educating patients, and advocating for federal mesothelioma funding.