Stage 1 mesothelioma is the earliest stage of the disease, in which the tumor is confined to a specific area and has not yet spread to other parts of the body. Very few mesothelioma cases are caught at Stage 1, but those which are typically live for about 21 months or longer.
As with other cancers, mesothelioma is categorized using a four-tiered staging system that indicates the severity and development of the disease. At Stage 1, mesothelioma has begun to develop, and usually the individual has very few noticeable symptoms.
The three staging systems used to classify mesothelioma have similar, but slightly different, definitions of Stage 1 mesothelioma:
Stage 1 is sometimes separated into Stage 1a and Stage 1b, depending on which layer of the mesothelium the disease develops.
Stage 1 Mesothelioma Symptoms
In most cases, Stage 1 mesothelioma symptoms are relatively minor, as the tumor has not started to spread. In later stages of the disease, symptoms will become more pronounced.
The most common Stage 1 mesothelioma symptoms are:
- Body aching
- Coughing and shortness of breath
- General discomfort in the chest
- Fever
Prognosis of Stage 1 Mesothelioma
Of the four stages of mesothelioma, the first stage has the best prognosis, although it can still have a pretty poor prognosis. The life expectancy of patients diagnosed with Stage 1 mesothelioma is usually 21 months or greater.
The actual life expectancy of a particular mesothelioma patient can depend greatly on the specifics of their diagnosis, including the cell type (histology), location, and size of the tumor, as well as the patient’s gender, age, and environmental risk factors.
Stage 1 Mesothelioma Treatment Options
With Stage 1 mesothelioma, treatment can often be more aggressive, since the disease in the early stages and patients are generally have better overall health. In such instances, the treatment plan often involves a multimodal approach that includes surgery along with chemotherapy and/or radiation.
Palliative care is not typically the first form of treatment for Stage 1. However, in cases where palliative therapy is deemed necessary, these treatments can provide relief from symptoms by reducing discomfort and pain.
Experimental Treatments and Clinical Trials
In Stage 1, mesothelioma patients are generally good candidates to participate in clinical trials. Some experimental treatments tested in these trials – such as immunotherapy, cryotherapy, and gene therapy – have shown to be extraordinarily effective with patients who have early-stage mesothelioma.
Finding a suitable clinical trial is perhaps one of the best ways that patients diagnosed with Stage 1 mesothelioma can improve their chances of survival. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma at an early stage, contact a cancer center to learn more about what trials are available and how they may be able to help.
Financial Assistance for Stage 1 Mesothelioma
Although Stage 1 mesothelioma offers the best chances of survival, there can still be a lot of costs involved in diagnosis, treatment, and related procedures. Other financial burdens can come from the loss of wages or other income due to time taken from work or even permanent disability due to the diagnosis.
If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, there may be options for you to have your treatment costs and related expenses covered.Contact us to understand what types of financial assistance are available to you.
