Stage 4 Mesothelioma Cancer
Stage 4 is the final of four mesothelioma cancer stages. As the most advanced stage of the disease, patients who have been diagnosed with stage 4 mesothelioma have the least treatment options out of all stages combined, and the prognosis is usually short. However, keep in mind that each patient is different, and there lifespans will depend upon the individual patient.
Once a victim enters the final stage, the tumor has spread significantly throughout the body and symptoms of mesothelioma are at an all-time high and much more intense than the previous three stages. At this point, physicians usually look for ways to alleviate symptoms and make life easier for patients instead of ways of removing the cancer.
Along with being the final part of mesothelioma cancer, stage 4 is extremely costly. From medicine, treatments, home health care, and more, the costs are typically more than most people can afford. However, if you or a loved one are victim to mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, you may be entitled to substantial compensation. More than $30 billion in asbestos trusts fund is available right now for those who are dealing with an asbestos disease. Fill out our form to get a free Financial Compensation Packet. You’ll learn about the top mesothelioma lawyers in your area, how to get paid in 90 days, how to file a claim for the asbestos trust funds, and more.
family with cancer patient
Stage 4 Symptoms
Severe pain throughout many areas in the body is a common symptom of stage 4 mesothelioma victims. This is due to the tumor spreading throughout different parts of the organs. The most prevalent pain comes from the chest and lungs, or from the abdomen for peritoneal mesothelioma patients.
If a tumor has made its way to the stomach or esophagus, victims will have a difficult time eating, drinking, and swallowing. They may also feel nauseous and vomit frequently.
Stage 4 Treatment
Palliative treatment is most often used when dealing with this stage of mesothelioma, meaning doctors most commonly seek treatment that focuses on ways to alleviate the severe pain instead of ways to remove the tumors.
One specific mesothelioma treatment involves removing the fluid buildup from the lungs, which in turn will help the patient breathe better and not experience as much chest pain as before.
Additionally, chemotherapy helps to shrink the tumors in order to provide pain relief, but most often radiation therapy is used because the procedure is less intrusive. In some instances, chemotherapy and radiation are combined, depending on the patient’s overall health and ability to sustain both treatments.
Unfortunately, most stage 4 victims are not candidates for surgery. The tumors at this point have spread too far, making it extremely difficult to remove them all.
Although this is not always the rule, patients may face far too many risks if they go through surgery. Most advanced stage patients are not physically strong enough to be able to withstand a surgical procedure and their health is usually poor because of the toll of the disease. The physician will be able if the patient is a candidate for surgery.
Stage 4 Prognosis
Even though the prognosis is grim, patients in advanced stages should concentrate on pain management, getting rest, and eating healthy. Life expectancy is typically around 6 months after diagnosis, but each case is different.
Always consult with a mesothelioma physician regarding your own prognosis. Keep in mind that each person is unique, and diet, stress levels, pain tolerance, and other factors play into life longevity.
Surgery for Mesothelioma Cancer
Surgery is one of the most frequent ways that asbestos cancer patients are treated. Surgery works best when symptoms of mesothelioma are caught early, making it easier for doctors to provide a diagnosis in the disease’ s beginning stages. However, even then, physicians must first determine if surgery is the most viable option. Surgery for mesothelioma is broken into different categories, and the type of surgery performed will depend upon the patient’s situation, including general health, weight, age, stage of the disease, and more. The most widely-used surgeries for mesothelioma include potentially curative surgery, palliative surgery, and diagnostic surgery.
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doctors performing surgery
Potentially Curative Surgery
Potentially curative surgery is the most extensive type of surgery available for victims of mesothelioma. As a result, qualifications for this type of surgery is stricter than the others. Since its a major surgery, mesothelioma patients must be in generally good physical shape and in good health in order to be able to successfully recover from such an invasive procedure.
A potentially curative surgery procedures generally entails two different types of surgeries:
Extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP): This form of surgery has the most successful rate of removing the cancer completely, but candidates are those whose cancer has not spread too far. The procedure itself is quite extensive, so the patient must also be in optimal health. The operation consists of removing the lining of the lungs, part of the diaphragm, closeby lymph nodes, the pericardium, and the lung that houses the tumor. Once the procedure is completed, an artificial diaphragm and pericardium is inserted into the patient’s body.
Pleurectomy/decortication (P/D): This form of surgery is not as invasive as an EPP as only the pleural lining of the chest and pleural coating on the infected lung are removed. This form of surgery can be used to remove certain types of cancers, but it’s also used as palliative surgery as well ( see Palliative Surgery below for more information).
The side effects of these types of surgery will differ depending upon the patient. The common side effects include:
Blood clots and/or bleeding
Fatigue
Fever
Pneumonia
Lung Malfunction
Palliative Surgery
Palliative surgery is less intrusive than potentially curative surgery. This form of surgery involves draining excess fluids from the lungs and taking out cancerous cells. Keep in mind that like other forms of surgery, palliative surgery is not a cure, nor does it completely remove the cancer. Yet, undergoing this type of surgery helps patients live easier lives with less pain and symptoms.
There are different types of popular palliative surgery options for mesothelioma patients:
Pleurodesis: Pleurodesis is a form of palliative surgery that is used to help remove the fluid buildup in the lungs. A tiny incision is made on the patient’s chest wall, then a hollow chest tube is inserted into the chest. The chest tube allows the harmful fluid to drain out. Next, physicians insert a talc-like substance into the chest area, which helps to seal the lungs so that fluid buildup can be prevented. The chest tube is then left in the chest area for a few days to drain any leftover fluid.
Thoracentesis: This form of palliative surgery is similar to pleurodesis as it’s used to drain fluid buildup from the chest. The difference, however, is that a needle or catheter is placed into the chest as opposed to a chest tube. Talc is also not injected into the chest during thoracentesis surgery. The procedure is typically quick and can be repeated several times.
Paracentesis: Paracentesis is a surgery performed on patients who have fluid buildup in the pericardium (sac area around the heart) A small needle is inserted into the pericardium area in order to remove the fluid buildup.
Diagnostic Surgery
Usually performed with biopsies, physicians perform diagnostic surgery in order to make sure of the location and presence of the cancer. Once the cancer has been determined, the harmful tissues are removed with a hollow biopsy needle or other instruments. Diagnostic surgery is only used to remove a small portion of the cancer in order to evaluate it and determine the next steps in the patient’s treatment plan. Sometimes, however, entire organs are removed for evaluation.
Biopsies can be performed in several different ways. Your physician will ultimately decide which way works best for you:
Incisional Biopsy: A fragment of the cancerous tissue is removed and sent to diagnostics for testing.
Excisional Biopsy: The entire cancerous tissues, or a large portion of the tissue is removed and sent to diagnostics for testing.
Endoscopic Biopsy: An endoscope is inserted into the area of the body that’s infected, which allows physicians to view the cancerous cells.
Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy: Also known as needle biopsy, this method is used to remove samples of fluids and tissues via a fine needle that’s inserted into the affected area.
Core Biopsy: A core biopsy is similar to a fine needle aspiration biopsy as both procedures use needles to remove samples from the body. The difference, however, is that a core biopsy entails using a much larger needle so that the actual tissue is removed as opposed to just samples.
The type of biopsy performed will depend upon a number of factors, including:
The shape, size, and location of the tumor
Patient preference (if applicable)
Patient medical history
The experience and training of the performing physician
The number of tumors/cancerous cells present
The stage of the cancer
Most physicians will weigh in a variety of factors before determining which type of surgery is most suitable. In some cases, surgery is not suitable at all and doctors will move on to other treatment plans. Almost all malignant mesothelioma surgery patients, however, use a combination of different treatments in order to get the maximum benefits while battling mesothelioma.
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