Pericardial Mesothelioma Prognosis

Pericardial mesothelioma comprises approximately 5% of the 2,500 new cases of malignant mesothelioma diagnosed every year, about 125 new pericardial mesothelioma patients annually. Upon a pericardial mesothelioma diagnosis, the oncologist will present a prognosis that tells the patient what to expect in terms of what comes next and how long he can reasonably expect to live. In the case of pericardial mesothelioma, the prognosis is usually bleak. It is very rare for pericardial mesothelioma, which affects the lining around the heart, to be detected before it is in the final stages. Treatment options are very limited. Only 50% of patients survive for six months following diagnosis of this form of malignant mesothlioma. For the rest, only a small percentage will live for any significant period of time. Since most patients are diagnosed after the age of 55, many will have other complicating factors that worsen the prognosis and shorten potential lifespan. Occasionally, pericardial mesothelioma is diagnosed in the early stages, and more treatment options are available for this rare form of malignant mesothelioma..

Factors Influencing Pericardial Mesothelioma Prognosis

The overall health and age of a patient significantly impacts pericardial mesothelioma prognosis. Healthy people with few medical issues aside from the pericardial mesothelioma, who exercise, eat right, and are diagnosed early, are far more treatable.

How a Pericardial Mesothelioma Prognosis is Determined

Once a patient is diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma, the doctor evaluates the information collected during the diagnostic phase, the information provided by the patient, and the patient’s medical history to make an educated guess about how long the patient can expect to live given the progression rate of the cancer.

Most of the time, pericardial mesothelioma remains undetected until the disease has progressed beyond life-saving measures. If the patient is already experiencing symptoms, the cancer is in late stages. The most common symptoms of late-stage pericardial mesothelioma can easily be mistaken for something else. These symptoms include heart palpitations or irregular heartbeat (called arrhythmia), chest pain, coughing, difficulty breathing even when at rest (dyspnea), fatigue, fever, and night sweats.

Information Provided During the Prognosis

The purpose of the prognosis for pericardial mesothelioma is to deliver the truth about the patient’s condition, treatment options and life expectation. The average prognosis for pericardial mesothelioma patients is six months, and many patients will not survive that long. The oncologist will discuss palliative measures designed to relieve symptoms and improve the quality of life. Typical treatment options may include minor surgeries to drain fluid from the pericardial sac and relieve pressure on the heart, chemo or radiation therapy, or a combination of any of these. This is an excellent time to inquire about participation in clinical trials and experimental therapies.