Mesothelioma, and Surgery for Elderly Patients
The following guest blog was submitted by Devin Golden, a staff writer for Mesothelioma Guide…
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There are two types of mesothelioma: pleural, and peritoneal. The average age of pleural mesothelioma patients is 72. The average age for peritoneal mesothelioma patients is 57. Surgery might be the only life-extending treatment option for elderly people with mesothelioma.
A large majority of patients of either type of mesothelioma are at least 65 years old. Mesothelioma primarily affects elderly people due to the characteristics of this cancer. One of the primary options for treating this cancer is surgery. However, there are unique aspects of each case, and some seniors might not be deemed healthy enough for surgery.
Numerous studies support mesothelioma surgery for elderly patients, and that the rewards outweigh the risks.
According to one study, only 17% of pleural mesothelioma patients under 80 years old had surgery. Their median survival time was 17.7 months. Around 47% had just chemotherapy, and their survival time was approximately 12 months. The rest (36%) didn’t receive any treatment, and their survival time was around 6.6 months.
For elderly people with mesothelioma, the quality-of-life benefits of surgery are significant. A study published in the Annals of Surgical Oncology reviewed the quality of life in 46 patients who underwent surgery. The median survival of these patients was 3.4 years, and 36.5% lived for at least five years. The study suggests that patients who underwent surgery experienced improved emotional well-being and social functioning, fewer emotional issues and less pain.
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John D. Miller is the founder/owner of Home Care Partners, LLC, a Massachusetts business providing private duty, personalized in-home assistance and companion care services to those needing help in daily activities and household functions.
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