Stage 1 Development
Mesothelioma, a cancerous disease that affects the lining of the lungs, consists of four stages. At its earliest stage, Stage 1, the cancer has not yet spread to the lymph nodes and is limited to the pleural lining. Stage 1 of mesothelioma consists of two subdivisions: 1A and 1B. During the 1A stage, small tumors, formerly classified as T1a and T1b, are either found on a single or both layers of the pleural lining but do not go beyond. During the stage of 1B, the cancer advances into nearby tissues, potentially involving the chest wall or muscle beneath the lungs. However, despite the progression of the 1A and 1B subdivisions, the cancer has yet to invade any lymph nodes.
Initial Symptoms of Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma commonly remains asymptomatic at stage 1, therefore making it challenging to diagnosis at such an early stage. If symptoms do occur, they are most often mild and mistaken for other common diseases such as pneumonia or the flu. Mesothelioma, in some cases, may be detected incidentally during routine medical checkups or in patients with a documented history of asbestos exposure. As the cancer progresses, tumor growth, resulting in compressing the lung, causes symptoms to become more prominent. Some of these symptoms include pain, breathing difficulties, or a persistent cough. Additionally, a condition where fluid accumulates due to tumor-induced pressure on the lung, known as pleural effusion, can arise as well.
Treatment and Survival Expectations for Stage 1 Patients
There is no known cure for mesothelioma at any stage. However, early detection in stage 1 offers a wider array of treatment options, which can lead to better outcomes and even remission, meaning the cancer’s growth and spread have come to a halt. Surgery, often combined with radiation or chemotherapy, is the primary treatment path for stage 1 mesothelioma patients. These treatments aim to remove the tumor and any lingering cancer cells. Beyond these conventional therapies, patients may also explore clinical trials which offer innovative treatments such as gene therapy or immunotherapy. While the survival rate for stage 1 patients ranges between 41% to 46% over two years, the prognosis is considerably better than later stages of the disease.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, please call the Halpern Law Firm at (800) 505-6000 or fill out our form for legal help. Call today for a free case evaluation and to get more information. We have over 30 years of experience and have won over $100 million for our clients.
Sources:
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/malignant-mesothelioma/detection-diagnosis-staging/staging.html
https://www.jto.org/article/S1556-0864(16)31272-2/fulltext
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15950801/
https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6694/14/1/142/htm
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32760490/
Written By Jeff Nelson
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