In Stage 3 mesothelioma, the cancer has spread to nearby tissues, organs, and possibly to distant lymph nodes. Stage 3 is the most frequently diagnosed stage of mesothelioma, with a median life expectancy of about 16 months.
Defining Stage 3 Mesothelioma
In the four-tiered staging system that is used to classify the progression and severity of cancer, Stage 3 mesothelioma is considered an advanced stage of the disease, though it is not the most advanced.
The primary characteristic that differentiates Stage 3 mesothelioma from other stages is that, in Stage 3, the cancer has spread to nearby areas. It may have spread to neighboring organs, tissues, and possibly nearby lymph nodes. However, in Stage 3, the mesothelioma has not yet spread to more distant regions of the body.
Various staging systems offer a somewhat different description of Stage 3 mesothelioma:
Stage 3 Mesothelioma Symptoms
The symptoms of Stage 3 mesothelioma are usually pretty intense, due to the spreading of the disease beyond the area of origin. As metastasis continues, symptoms may increase significantly.
Typical Stage 3 mesothelioma symptoms include:
- Tightness or pain in the chest
- Fatigue or general feelings of tiredness
- Labored breathing or shortness of breath (dyspnea)
- Weight loss
- Fever
Prognosis of Stage 3 Mesothelioma
By the time mesothelioma has reached Stage 3, the prognosis is grim. Even if the primary tumor can be removed, cancer cells have most likely spread to other areas, and remission is unlikely.
The average life expectancy of a mesothelioma patient diagnosed at Stage 3 is about 16 months. However, the life expectancy of a particular patient depends on individual diagnosis, including the tumor cell type and location, as well as the patient’s gender, age, overall health, and other risk factors.
Stage 3 Mesothelioma Treatment Options
Because the mesothelioma has started to spread in Stage 3, the likelihood of a successful curative treatment is very low. In many cases, treatments are limited to palliative care, which is used to relieve discomfort and pain from the symptoms of the disease.
Conventional multimodal treatment plans that combine surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy are not typically used for Stage 3 mesothelioma patients. Individual therapies, however, are sometimes used to manage pain and discomfort.
Experimental Treatments and Clinical Trials
Immunotherapy, gene therapy, and other forms of experimental mesothelioma treatment can offer possibly effective therapies through clinical trials. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Stage 3 mesothelioma, connecting with a cancer center can give you an opportunity to find an available clinical trial.
Financial Assistance for Stage 3 Mesothelioma
Medical expenses for treating Stage 3 mesothelioma can be prohibitive. In some cases, insurance companies might not pay for diagnostic tests, experimental treatments, or ancillary costs such as travel to and from cancer clinics.
Upon diagnosis, mesothelioma patients should consider taking steps to defray the financial difficulties associated with Stage 3 mesothelioma. Find out what kinds of financial assistance are available if you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure.
