If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, chances are that you have many questions and this is no doubt one of them. Mesothelioma is an aggressive and fatal form of cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral that is resistant to heat, fire, and other chemicals. Unfortunately, it cannot be cured, but depending on when it is detected, among many other factors, it can increase one’s chances for long-term survival.
Some of the many factors that affect one’s rate of survival include:
- Age: Older mesothelioma patients generally have a lower survival rate than younger patients. 50% of patients diagnosed before the age of 50 live one year, whereas 33% of patients 75 and older live the same amount of time.
- Gender: According to the National Cancer Institute’s SEER database, researchers discovered that the 5-year survival rate for men was 4.5% and 13.4% for women.
- Cancer Site: Depending on where the site of cancer originates from, a patient’s survival rate can be higher or lower.
- Stage of Cancer: This is one of the most important factors in survival for mesothelioma patients. The earlier mesothelioma is detected, the better one’s chances are. The 5-year survival rate for Stage I peritoneal mesothelioma patients, for example, is 87%. This decreases to 29% for Stage IV patients.
Shrader & Associates L.L.P. has aggressively fought on behalf of individuals who were seriously harmed by exposure to asbestos for years, and have won hundreds of cases to ensure they are taken care of. Mesothelioma can be devastating and many victims have only a few years to live after diagnosis. Our mesothelioma attorneys can provide meticulous case investigation and make sure those are responsible for your condition are held accountable.
Contact our team today at (713) 787-3733 to learn more about your legal options.