Stage 1 mesothelioma only affects the pleura (lining) of one lung or on one side of the abdomen. It is the easiest stage to treat because it hasn't spread to other parts of the body.
Stage I has the best prognosis. Patients who undergo multimodal therapy may live for years beyond the average mesothelioma prognosis. Studies using aggressive multimodal therapy on stage I cases report survival rates around three years. A number of people diagnosed in stage I have lived far beyond three years. Each case of asbestos-related cancer is unique, and the treatments used to manage the cancer are becoming increasingly effective.
- A few tumors or none are visible.
- Can be treated with therapies like surgery and chemotherapy.
- Life expectancy upwards of 40 months.
Stage I is the earliest and most treatable stage of mesothelioma. This stage has the best prognosis and longest survival rate.
In this stage, the cancer has just begun to form. Tiny tumors develop along the lining of one lung. The lungs and lymph nodes do not have cancer cells. The cancer has not spread at this point.
Asbestos-related cancer is rarely diagnosed at this stage because symptoms seldom arise that would prompt someone to get medical attention. Stage I cases often are discovered accidentally.
The prognosis for patients with stage 1 mesothelioma is generally positive. The earlier the mesothelioma is diagnosed, the more treatment options are available. The outlook for remission is also higher than it is for the later stages of mesothelioma.
Stage 1 mesothelioma patients often have a prognosis that is over 12 months longer than the average patient.
Unfortunately, stage 1 diagnoses are rare. The latency period associated with mesothelioma can be up to 40 years from the time of asbestos exposure. When symptoms start cropping up, many patients relate their symptoms to old age or common illnesses, such as the common cold or indigestion.
Catching mesothelioma in the early stages can add considerable time to the patient’s life expectancy, but this doesn’t mean later stage patients can’t improve their prognosis. Second opinions may sometimes reveal an earlier stage disease than the original diagnosis. This was the case with mesothelioma survivor Alexis Kidd.
Stage 1 patients have some of the best opportunities to improve their prognosis. Learn how you can live longer in our free Mesothelioma Guide.
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