The management of cancer patients has become a multidisciplinary and often multi-modal process requiring the involvement of many specialized health professionals. The key to providing optimal care for patients is effective coordination of specialized care and services.
This is best provided by a MDT (Multi Disciplinary Team) ensuring multidisciplinary care.
There is no direct high level evidence to confirm that management by an MDT improves Mesothelioma Survival Rate, symptoms or quality of life for patients with MPM (Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma), due to a lack of appropriate studies conducted in relation to this relatively uncommon disease.
However, anecdotal reports suggest that patients are more likely to receive optimal care if a consistent approach to managing their disease is taken, with better symptom management and improved quality of life. An MDT consists of health-care professionals who, through an integrated approach, develop an individual patient treatment plan.
The composition of a MDT will vary by disease site and institution, but in the setting of MPM the team should include representatives from medical oncology, radiation oncology, cardiothoracic surgery, respiratory medicine, pathology, diagnostic imaging, palliative care, nursing, nutrition, dietetics, psychology and social work.
For practical reasons, and depending on the institution, it may not be feasible to have all members of an MDT in attendance at a multidisciplinary meeting at the same time. The MDT should also work closely with the patient’s GP (General Practitioner) and other allied health professionals.
Mesothelioma Survival Statistics
When looking at the broad spectrum, mesothelioma survival statistics can be rather intimidating. Across all mesothelioma patients in the United States, regardless of what type and the stage of cancer, only 55% of patients survive one year after diagnosis.
After three years, only about one-third of patients are expected to survive. The 5-year survival rate is only estimated at about 9%.
The stage of mesothelioma when diagnosed is one of the most important factors in determining survival rate. Early stage mesothelioma, such as stage 1 mesothelioma, indicates a smaller tumor size and that the cancer is localized to one part of the body.
This makes it much easier to treat, and patients see a better survival of on average 1.5 to 3 years after diagnosis. Unfortunately, most mesothelioma patients aren’t diagnosed until a later stage that have more limited treatment options.
Stage 4 mesothelioma patients, for example, on average survive only about 12 months as the cancer has likely spread to the lymph nodes and other parts of the body.
Type and cell type of mesothelioma also significantly impact mesothelioma survival rate. Pleural mesothelioma, which originates in the lungs, is the most common type, but doesn’t have the best survival rate.
Researchers estimate about 73% of patients survive one year, but survival drops drastically to just 23% at three years after diagnosis.
Peritoneal mesothelioma, which affects the abdomen, isn’t as common but has the best survival rates of all the types. About 92% of patients survive one year after diagnosis, with still about 65% of patients surviving at least 5 years after diagnosis.
Since pericardial mesothelioma is the most rare and often not even discovered until posthumously, survival rates are much poorer, with only 51% of patients surviving one year.
Within the last few years especially, mesothelioma research has had some great advancements in new ways to diagnose and treat the disease, like biomarkers in the blood for earlier diagnosis and the potential of immunotherapy. Thanks to these promising advancements, survival rates for both pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma have improved slightly in recent years.
Benefits of Exercise for Cancer Patients (Mesothelioma Survival Rate Advantage)
Research on the benefits of exercise for people without cancer is extensive. We know exercise improves sleep, mental health, cardiorespiratory fitness and muscular fitness.
Clinical research discovered the following benefits of exercise for people with cancer:
- Boosts energy, lessens fatigue
- Improves physical function
- Increases appetite
- Increases body mass, muscular strength, endurance and bone strength
- Reduces effects of stress on the body
- Reduces chemotherapy-related peripheral neuropathy
- Improves quality of life, mood and mental health (lessens depression and anxiety)
Ways to Get the Most from Foods and Drinks (Mesothelioma Survival Rate Advantage)
During treatment, you may have good days and bad days when it comes to food. Here are some ways to manage:
- Eat plenty of protein and calories when you can. This helps you keep up your strength and helps rebuild tissues harmed by cancer treatment.
- Eat when you have the biggest appetite. For many people, this is in the morning. You might want to eat a bigger meal early in the day and drink liquid meal replacements later on.
- It’s okay if you feel like you can’t eat a lot of different foods. Eat the foods that sound good until you are able to eat more, even if it’s the same thing again and again. You might also drink liquid meal replacements for extra nutrition.
- Do not worry if you cannot eat at all some days. Spend this time finding other ways to feel better and start eating when you can. Tell your doctor if you cannot eat for more than 2 days.
- Drink plenty of liquids. It is even more important to get plenty to drink on days when you cannot eat. Drinking a lot helps your body get the liquid it needs. Most adults should drink 8 to 12 cups of liquid a day. You may find this easier to do if you keep a water bottle nearby.
