Mesothelioma Articles A-Z
This eMedTV Web page looks at mesothelioma research currently under way, including studies investigating the effectiveness of new combinations of chemotherapy. This article also discusses mesothelioma research being conducted on biological therapy.
Mesothelioma stages refer to how far the cancer has spread. As this eMedTV article explains, mesothelioma stages II, III, and IV are advanced; they describe cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. Stage I refers to localized mesothelioma.
When used to treat mesothelioma, surgery may involve procedures such as wide local excision. This eMedTV Web page describes several types of mesothelioma surgery, including extrapleural pneumonectomy as well as pleurectomy and decortication.
The overall 5-year relative mesothelioma survival rate for 1998-2002 was about 9 percent. This segment of the eMedTV website explains how the relative mesothelioma survival rate is calculated and provides additional statistics about survival rates.
When the cancer begins in the membrane around the lungs, mesothelioma symptoms may include chest pain and shortness of breath. This eMedTV article also looks at peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms, such as abdominal pain and weight loss.