Prognosis
Simply put, the term prognosis refers to the possible outcome of a disease or the chance of recover from a disease. For example, if one was suffering from a severe cold, the prognosis would be that - in all likelihood - that person would recover from the cold. However, when someone is suffering from cancer or another serious illness, the prognosis may not be quite so positive.
Offering a Prognosis for Mesothelioma
Once a patient has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, that person will most likely inquire as to their prognosis. Currently, the prognosis for mesothelioma patients is not so good. There is no cure for mesothelioma, and life span after diagnosis is generally not long but is increasing thanks to new drugs and other treatments.
If you or someone you know suffers from mesothelioma, you'll probably demand a prognosis from your doctor or oncologist. Remember, doctors don't have a crystal ball and can't always guarantee the most accurate information when it comes to your prognosis. However, the doctor will take several factors into consideration when offering you a prognosis, including:
- Stage of your disease
- Size and location of the tumor
- What symptoms you're experiencing
- How the disease has progressed
Several diagnostic tools can help determine the prognosis, including x-rays, MRIs, and CT scans. A doctor will most likely order these tests in order to better gauge the status of a patient's disease and to offer a more accurate prognosis.
Remember, a prognosis is nothing more than an educated guess. As one's disease progresses and/or mesothelioma treatments change and improve, so can an individual's prognosis change and improve. It's important to stay positive, even when faced with the negative prognosis that often accompanies mesothelioma.
Last modified: December 09 2009.
