What's The Prognosis For Someone Diagnosed With Mesothelioma In Their Late 70's?

[Edoardo]

My grandmother's preliminary diagnosis is suggestive of mesothelioma. She was admitted for pneumonia weeks ago, but has declined since. Just asking yourself if there's weeks, months, or years left.

[Radburt]

I'm not sure that even an expert on the subject would answer your question here(and I'd distrust non-experts). There's so many other things to consider by way of her general health, and it would breach professional ethics for anyone to try.   Talk to her doctors, if you can(I know that geography may stand in the way) and do all you can to make sure that she's comfortable and loved.(The latter shouldn't be too difficult - it shines through your letter). I''m sure that although you may not get a direct answer to your question, you will find that many people are thinking about you and your family with love.   Blessings on you.

[Calvagh]

I know this must be a frighting and worrisome time for you, but don't you think you need to ask this of the doctor treating your grandmother and not a bunch of lonely people on the internet? I mean, I don't know your grandmother, her condition, underlying problems, past history, her will to fight, physical condition, emotional condition, to make an accurate forecast... And even then I can be quite incorrect... See her doctor for this.

[Grey]

I wonder if serrapeptase could help her. It eats up things in the blood stream like blood clots,calcium and other things Shasha 73 months ago Please sign in to give a compliment. Please verify your account to give a compliment. Please sign in to send a message. Please verify your account to send a message.

[Brocly]

Depends on where it is and how far along it is. First, I'm sorry for what your grandmother and your family is going through.    Mesothelioma is a very rare and aggressive type of cancer that is most often attributed to the inhalation of asbestos, and often takes 30-50 years to develop after exposure.  It affects the mesothelium, which is a thin, protective membrane surrounding many of the body's organs.  Because the mesothelium is found around the abdominal organs, the lungs, and the heart, mesothelioma can be difficult to diagnose due to the wide variety of symptoms.  If it is suspected, the only way to confirm the diagnosis is by biopsy(removing a sample of affected tissue to examination under a microscope.)  After diagnosis, mesothelioma must be "staged" to see how extensive it is and if it has invaded or damaged any nearby tissues or organs. Stage I    Localized, limited to small area. Stage II   Advanced, has spread to adjacent organs Stage III  Advanced, has spread to adjacent organs and lymph nodes Stage IV  Metastasized, has spread to distant areas of the body(commonly the brain) Treatment depends on the exact location of the disease, the stage, and the patient's general health.  The further the stage, the more difficult to treat.  Some treatment options include surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.    I can't quote a time frame for your grandmother, because that is ultimately determined by The Powers That Be, but you said she "has declined since,"  and that worries me, especially if the decline is due to the mesothelioma.  I would use this opportunity to spend as much quality time with her as possible, and discuss with her everything she wants done as far as treatment goes.  Make sure the whole family is on the same page.  As with any medical condition, hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.  There is support if you need it--ask her nurse if you can speak with the hospital social worker to help guide you.  Social workers are wonderful and have an infinite amount of information.    Or, you can go to www.cancer.org(American Cancer Society website) and get information about support groups.    I wish you well during this difficult time. Sources: national cancer institute, experience confuzzled 73 months ago Please sign in to give a compliment. Please verify your account to give a compliment. Please sign in to send a message. Please verify your account to send a message.

[Lach]

First, I'm sorry for what your grandmother and your family is going through.    Mesothelioma is a very rare and aggressive type of cancer that is most often attributed to the inhalation of asbestos, and often takes 30-50 years to develop after exposure.  It affects the mesothelium, which is a thin, protective membrane surrounding many of the body's organs.  Because the mesothelium is found around the abdominal organs, the lungs, and the heart, mesothelioma can be difficult to diagnose due to the wide variety of symptoms.  If it is suspected, the only way to confirm the diagnosis is by biopsy(removing a sample of affected tissue to examination under a microscope.)  After diagnosis, mesothelioma must be "staged" to see how extensive it is and if it has invaded or damaged any nearby tissues or organs. Stage I    Localized, limited to small area. Stage II   Advanced, has spread to adjacent organs Stage III  Advanced, has spread to adjacent organs and lymph nodes Stage IV  Metastasized, has spread to distant areas of the body(commonly the brain) Treatment depends on the exact location of the disease, the stage, and the patient's general health.  The further the stage, the more difficult to treat.  Some treatment options include surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.    I can't quote a time frame for your grandmother, because that is ultimately determined by The Powers That Be, but you said she "has declined since,"  and that worries me, especially if the decline is due to the mesothelioma.  I would use this opportunity to spend as much quality time with her as possible, and discuss with her everything she wants done as far as treatment goes.  Make sure the whole family is on the same page.  As with any medical condition, hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.  There is support if you need it--ask her nurse if you can speak with the hospital social worker to help guide you.  Social workers are wonderful and have an infinite amount of information.    Or, you can go to www.cancer.org(American Cancer Society website) and get information about support groups.    I wish you well during this difficult time.

[Trevelian]

Another good website for mesothelioma and asbestos is at http://www.lungasbestosanswers.com 100's of pages and articles regarding the condition

[Twm]

spodeman said: 1 Another good website for mesothelioma and asbestos is at http://www.lungasbestosanswers.com 100's of pages and articles regarding the condition 50 months ago

[Calcas]

Please, don't ask this here; my heart goes out to you, but we're not experts and we don't know everything ... I'm not sure that even an expert on the subject would answer your question here(and I'd distrust non-experts). There's so many other things to consider by way of her general health, and it would breach professional ethics for anyone to try.   Talk to her doctors, if you can(I know that geography may stand in the way) and do all you can to make sure that she's comfortable and loved.(The latter shouldn't be too difficult - it shines through your letter). I''m sure that although you may not get a direct answer to your question, you will find that many people are thinking about you and your family with love.   Blessings on you. EnglishLady 73 months ago Please sign in to give a compliment. Please verify your account to give a compliment. Please sign in to send a message. Please verify your account to send a message.

[Hrypanleah]

I AM NOT A DOCTOR, but... I know this must be a frighting and worrisome time for you, but don't you think you need to ask this of the doctor treating your grandmother and not a bunch of lonely people on the internet? I mean, I don't know your grandmother, her condition, underlying problems, past history, her will to fight, physical condition, emotional condition, to make an accurate forecast... And even then I can be quite incorrect... See her doctor for this. Sources: Spartan Caver Says: SpartanCaver 73 months ago Please sign in to give a compliment. Please verify your account to give a compliment. Please sign in to send a message. Please verify your account to send a message.