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Mesothelioma Stage 3
Stage 3 pleural mesothelioma is one of the later stages of pleural mesothelioma, an aggressive cancer that affects the lining of the lungs.
You may qualify for compensation that can help cover your medical bills if you or a loved one received a stage 3 mesothelioma diagnosis.
Call (800) 326-8900 now for a free legal consultation to see if our mesothelioma lawyers can help with your case.
About Stage 3 Pleural Mesothelioma
Stage 3 is advanced-stage pleural mesothelioma. By this mesothelioma stage, the primary tumor has spread and the cancer has reached nearby organs, tissues and lymph nodes.
Stage 3 can be split into two substages:
- Stage 3A: The cancer has reached parts of the body like the chest wall, heart lining (pericardium), the tissue between lungs (mediastinum) and nearby lymph nodes.
- Stage 3B: Here, the cancer has spread into organs such as the peritoneum (the lining of the abdomen), esophagus, heart or spine. It has not yet reached distant parts of the body.
The other types of mesothelioma (such as peritoneal or pericardial mesothelioma) don’t have official stages. Instead, these patients may be considered advanced, which is around stage 3 or stage 4.
If you have any stage of mesothelioma, Simmons Hanly Conroy can help you pursue compensation for medical bills. Our mesothelioma law firm has recovered billions of dollars for clients nationwide.
Call (800) 326-8900 now to learn more about the options available to you.
Causes of Mesothelioma Stage 3 Cancer
Mesothelioma stage 3 is caused by exposure to asbestos, like other stages and types of this cancer.
Microscopic asbestos fibers can be released into the air whenever an asbestos product is used or disturbed. They can then become lodged in the linings of organs after being inhaled or ingested.
Over decades, the repeated irritation from these fibers can cause cancer cells to develop in the mesothelium, the internal lining of the body’s major organs.
Mesothelioma Stage 3 Symptoms
Stage 3 pleural mesothelioma has more noticeable and severe symptoms than previous stages. Patients may experience different symptoms depending on where the cancer spreads and if vital organs are damaged.
Common stage 3 mesothelioma symptoms include:
- Abdominal pain
- Bloating
- Difficulty breathing
- Digestive issues
- Fatigue
- Fluid buildup
- Frequent chest pain
- Night sweats or fever
- Shortness of breath
- Recurring dry cough
- Unintended weight loss
If you have any of these symptoms and possibly worked with or around asbestos, see a doctor for help determining if you have mesothelioma stage 3.
Stage 3 Mesothelioma Life Expectancy
Stage 3 mesothelioma patients have an average life expectancy of 16 months, according to Frontiers in Oncology.
Life expectancy is the average amount of time a patient lives following a diagnosis. It’s generally given as part of an overall stage 3 mesothelioma prognosis (health outlook).
Though the average mesothelioma life expectancy for stage 3 patients is generally poor, early diagnosis and treatment may be able to help patients live longer.
Stage 3 Mesothelioma Survival Rates
Survival rate is another key way to measure stage 3 mesothelioma prognosis. The 5-year stage 3 mesothelioma cancer survival rate is 16%, according to the American Cancer Society.
This means that only 16% of stage 3 pleural mesothelioma patients live for 5 years after diagnosis.
Treatment for Stage 3 Mesothelioma Cancer
Depending on your health, age and other factors, your doctor will recommend a treatment plan to help you live as long as possible and maintain your quality of life.
For stage 3 pleural mesothelioma, this may include the following cancer treatment options.
Surgery
Surgery may help patients with mesothelioma live longer. However, doctors can only use surgery to treat stage 3A mesothelioma, according to the American Cancer Society.
There are two main surgeries for stage 3A mesothelioma:
- Extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP): This treatment removes the mesothelioma tumors, the lung nearest to the cancer, the pleura, the pericardium and the diaphragm, requiring 6-8 weeks to recover.
- Pleurectomy with Decortication (P/D): A P/D removes the lung lining and any cancer tumors within it, allowing the patient to keep both of their lungs.
If the cancer is in stage 3B, the cancer tumors can’t be fully removed with surgery, so other treatment options must be used.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses drugs to slow or stop the growth of cancerous cells in your body. Depending on how far your cancer has spread, doctors may offer chemotherapy to help extend your life expectancy or manage the symptoms.
Radiation Therapy
Mesothelioma radiation therapy uses radiation to kill cancerous cells before or after surgery to prevent the cancer’s return.
Different types of radiation may be used depending on factors like your general health, your age, the size of the cancer and the tumor’s location in the body.
Mesothelioma Clinical Trials
Clinical trials are research studies with volunteers to test the effectiveness of newer therapies that aren’t widely available to the public. Studies may be open to stage 3 mesothelioma patients right now.
Mesothelioma treatments can be expensive, costing more than $400,000 per year.
Call (800) 326-8900 now to see if you can get compensation for mesothelioma stage 3 treatments.
Our Mesothelioma Lawyers Can Help in All 50 States
Manufacturers knew asbestos could be deadly but failed to warn the general public — putting you and millions of others at risk of mesothelioma.
Our mesothelioma attorneys can help determine which asbestos companies may be responsible for your exposure – and hold them accountable.
To date, Simmons Hanly Conroy has retrieved more than $9.7 billion for clients with mesothelioma.
We can help you no matter where you live in the United States. Get a free legal consultation now to learn more.
Hear from a Pleural Mesothelioma Survivor
After working for decades as an automotive mechanic, Art Putt received a pleural mesothelioma diagnosis in 2018. Art inhaled asbestos-contaminated dust on a daily basis since car parts — particularly brakes — often contained asbestos.
After seeing a doctor for a worsening cough, Art’s grim diagnosis was confirmed.
“Originally, the doctor said he would have possibly six months to a year.”
– Jan, Art’s Wife
Art began treatments like chemotherapy to hopefully improve his life span. After encouragement from his family, Art contacted Simmons Hanly Conroy for help.
“Our mesothelioma lawyer kind of made us feel at ease. He didn’t seem like a lawyer — or like what I would see on TV or something like that. He just seemed like he was interested and really cared.”
– Art, Mesothelioma Survivor & Firm Client
With the help of John Richardson and a team of attorneys, Art and his family got the justice they deserved.
Thankfully, Art is still alive today. He currently enjoys the simple things, like watching TV and eating an ice cream bar every night with his wife Jan.
Mesothelioma Financial & Legal Resources
Stage 3 Pleural Mesothelioma Cancer FAQs
What does stage 3 mesothelioma mean?
Stage 3 mesothelioma is one of the later stages of malignant pleural mesothelioma. By this stage, the cancer has spread from the lung lining to nearby body parts like the chest wall or spine.
If you or a loved one has mesothelioma, you may be entitled to compensation that can help you pay for medical care and more.
What is the mesothelioma life expectancy at stage 3?
The average mesothelioma stage 3 life expectancy is 16 months, according to a study in Frontiers in Oncology. That said, treatment options may be able to help you live longer than the average.
What affects your stage 3 mesothelioma prognosis?
The stage 3 mesothelioma prognosis or expected outcome is typically poor.
However, many factors can affect the prognosis, including:
- Age: Older stage 3 mesothelioma patients tend not to live as long.
- Overall health: Patients who are otherwise healthy besides having cancer typically have better prognoses.
- Type of cancer cells: Mesothelioma tumors can be made up of different types of cells. The most common cell type is epithelioid and it’s easier to treat, so patients with this type tend to live longer.
Call (800) 326-8900 now for help finding a doctor or cancer center near you.
Is there a cure for pleural mesothelioma stage 3?
Not yet. Like other types and stages of mesothelioma, stage 3 pleural mesothelioma cannot be cured.
However, treatments like surgery and chemotherapy may be able to extend your life expectancy and increase your quality of life.
What is the survival rate of mesothelioma stage 3 cancer?
The stage 3 mesothelioma cancer survival rate is 16% at 5 years after diagnosis, according to the American Cancer Society. Depending on how your body responds to medical care, you could live longer.
How long can you live with stage 3 mesothelioma?
On average, mesothelioma stage 3 patients live for 16 months, according to a report in Frontiers in Oncology.
Fortunately, treatments like chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy may be able to increase your life span. Talk to your mesothelioma doctor to learn more about your options.
Is there a peritoneal mesothelioma stage 3?
Not technically. While no official staging system exists for peritoneal mesothelioma, doctors do classify the cancer into localized and advanced stages.
For instance, peritoneal mesothelioma stage 3 would fall under the advanced stage since the cancer has already spread to other regions of the body, making treatment more limited and less effective.
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Reviewed by:Amy Fair R.N.- Fact-Checked
- Medical Reviewer
Amy fills a unique role helping guide patients and families through the often confusing and overwhelming steps following an asbestos-related cancer diagnosis. Assisted by 14 medical assistants and a Licensed Practical Nurse, Amy and her medical team provide healthcare information and explain treatment options to those recently diagnosed and throughout the progression of their disease.