"How Does Mesothelioma Kill You?"
A mesothelioma diagnosis can be overwhelming and lead to many questions.
One of the most common and difficult questions that victims and their families ask is, “How does mesothelioma kill you?”
In the end stages of mesothelioma, patients usually die because of metastasis, the expansive spread of malignant cancer cells that overwhelms the body, causing vital organs to fail.
As cancer spreads, it forms tumors throughout the patient's body that interfere with the operation of vital organs (heart, kidneys, liver). Eventually, this spread is so vast and overwhelming that the body cannot keep up, leading to organ failure and death.
Understanding how mesothelioma progresses may help you prepare physically and mentally for the potential outcomes. Patients diagnosed with mesothelioma are often eligible for financial compensation.
This compensation can help them access the best treatment options to ease their symptoms and improve their quality of life, even in late-stage mesothelioma. Get a free legal case review and see if you can pursue financial compensation.
Get a Free Mesothelioma Case Review
End-Stage / Late-Stage Mesothelioma Symptoms
In the early stages, mesothelioma symptoms may present as a cough or shortness of breath. However, once the cancer begins to progress, symptoms become more serious. Cancer cells will also spread to other areas within the body, causing additional complications.
Late-stage mesothelioma symptoms may include:
- Abdominal and lower back pain
- Digestion issues
- Fatigue
- Fluid buildup in the chest
- Growing pain and tightness in the chest
- Persistent cough, sometimes resulting in coughing up blood
- Swelling in various parts of the body, including the abdomen, face, and neck (if spread to lymph nodes)
Symptoms may slowly increase in severity if:
- Cancer cells continue to grow or spread to distant parts of the body
- Tumor sizes increase
Additionally, since cancer cells can spread to lymph nodes — important parts of the body’s immune system that remove toxins — many mesothelioma patients may have impaired immune systems, leading to an increased risk of illness.
What to Expect After Diagnosis: Mesothelioma Life Expectancy
Since asbestos fibers often go undetected in the body for 20 to 50 years after exposure, the damage to cells may already be advanced by the time symptoms develop. For this reason, the life expectancy for mesothelioma patients is often unfavorable.
The average life expectancy for patients after a mesothelioma diagnosis is between 4 and 18 months, according to Penn Medicine.
However, every mesothelioma case is unique, and patients should consult their mesothelioma specialists for an accurate life expectancy.
Some of the most common factors that may influence a patient’s life expectancy include:
- Age
- Overall health
- Stage of cancer at the time of detection
Some patients have lived for many years when mesothelioma was detected early enough, and the patient was eligible for more intensive treatments.
Mesothelioma Treatment Provides Hope
The most important step after receiving a diagnosis is pursuing mesothelioma treatment. Mesothelioma specialists can work closely with each patient to develop the best treatment methods.
Mesothelioma treatments may include:
- Chemotherapy
- Immunotherapy
- Radiation therapy
- Surgery
Palliative Treatment Aims to Make Patients Comfortable
In addition to life-extending treatment, which aims to reduce the presence of cancer cells and keep them from returning, mesothelioma palliative treatment may help patients manage pain and symptoms.
Sokolove Law Helps Families Before and After Death
You do not have to prepare for this journey alone — your legal team will stand by to support you and your family.
A barrier many mesothelioma patients face when pursuing treatment is the cost of critical health care. Medical bills related to mesothelioma can quickly add up to hundreds of thousands of dollars.
You shouldn’t be burdened with the cost of life-extending care. As a national mesothelioma law firm, Sokolove Law has dedicated over 45 years to securing financial help for mesothelioma patients and their families.
Our asbestos lawyers have recovered over $4.9 Billion in settlements and verdicts nationwide for those impacted by asbestos exposure.
We strive to make the process as easy as possible by handling all of the legal work on your behalf, so you can focus on your health and family.
Even if your loved one has already passed away, we may be able to help your family secure justice and compensation from an asbestos claim after their death.
Call our team today at (800) 647-3434 to learn more about your legal options and see if we can help you get the care you need.
