01. Mesothelioma Stage 2 Overview
What Is Stage 2 Mesothelioma?
In stage 2 mesothelioma, the cancer has typically spread to nearby organs and tissues. Depending on the patient’s type of mesothelioma, different areas of the body may be affected. At this early stage, spreading is localized, and patients may experience few and mild symptoms. Stage 2 median overall survival is 19 – 67 months.
In early-stage diagnoses, like stage 2, patients typically have many mesothelioma treatment options, including aggressive therapeutic surgeries. Early diagnoses and treatments can result in more favorable prognoses. A more favorable prognosis may mean longer patient life expectancies.
Pleural mesothelioma is the only form with its own widely accepted staging system. Other forms of mesothelioma may be staged using more general cancer staging systems.
Resources for Mesothelioma Patients
02. Stage 2 Prognosis
Stage 2 Mesothelioma Prognosis
Stage 2 mesothelioma patients have a general life expectancy of 19 – 67 months. Patients diagnosed in stage 2 typically have a more favorable mesothelioma prognosis than those diagnosed later. In the early stages, the disease is still localized and can often be addressed with a range of treatment options and combinations.
Prognosis can be affected by a variety of factors.
Stage 2 Mesothelioma Life Expectancy
Stage 2 life expectancy with treatment ranges from 19 to 67 months, depending on the type of mesothelioma. Mesothelioma life expectancy is the estimate of how long patients will live with or without treatment. Many patients experience longer life expectancies with treatment.
Treatment options for stage 2 mesothelioma patients include aggressive surgeries and multimodal treatment combinations. Patients should speak with their care teams about their specific cases. Even patients diagnosed in later stages have gone on to outlive their initial prognoses by several years.
Stage 2 Mesothelioma Survival Rate
The stage 2 mesothelioma 1-year survival rate is 70% for pleural mesothelioma and 86% for peritoneal mesothelioma. Survival rates are generally better with treatment than without.
In one study, pleural mesothelioma patients underwent chemotherapy and then pleurectomy/decortication (P/D) surgery. Early-stage patients made up 71% of the study, which includes stage 1 and stage 2 patients. Some patients received extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) or follow-up chemotherapy, if necessary. Overall 1-year survival was 93% and 3-year survival was 65%.
Mesothelioma statistics, such as survival rate, come from studies. This data can provide doctors and patients with a better understanding of the disease. However, each diagnosis is unique. Patients should discuss their prognoses with their doctors.
Mesothelioma survival rates are typically provided at the 1-, 2- and 3-year marks. With improvements in research and treatment, 5-year mesothelioma statistics are becoming more common.
These statistics give patients a good estimate of prognosis.
Stage 2 Pleural Mesothelioma Survival Statistics
Researchers have reported the following survival rates for stage 2 patients who underwent treatment:
- 2-year: 39%
- 5-year: 9%
- Median survival: 19 months (compared to 16 months for stage 3)
Stage 2 Peritoneal Mesothelioma Survival Statistics
Peritoneal mesothelioma patients often have the best survival statistics. Researchers have reported the following statistics for stage 2 patients who underwent treatment:
- 3-year: 65%
- 5-year: 52%
- Median survival: 67 months (compared to 56 months for stage 3)
03. Is Stage 2 Mesothelioma Curable?
Can Stage 2 Mesothelioma Be Cured?
No stage of mesothelioma is considered curable. However, early-stage diagnosis offers the most favorable prognosis. If diagnosed in stage 1 or 2, patients may be healthier and better able to withstand aggressive treatments. Through treatment, patients may extend their life expectancy by months, years or even more than a decade. Mesothelioma researchers continue to test treatments for early- and late-stage mesothelioma patients.
Long-Term Survivorship After Stage 2 Mesothelioma Diagnosis
Long-term survivorship with mesothelioma is possible. Individuals diagnosed early have the best chance of extended survival. Newer treatments like immunotherapy present promise for longer-term mesothelioma survival. Mesothelioma researchers continue to test this and other treatments to improve outcomes.
04. Stage 2 Symptoms
What Are the Symptoms of Stage 2 Mesothelioma?
Stage 2 mesothelioma symptoms often start mild. As the disease progresses, mesothelioma symptoms may worsen or become more prominent. Symptoms vary depending on where in the body the cancer has formed.
Because of the mild and varied nature of symptoms, early-stage mesothelioma may be misdiagnosed as more common conditions. For example, pleural mesothelioma may be misdiagnosed as other lung conditions, such as lung cancer.
Patients with a known history of asbestos exposure should be especially sensitive to any changes in their bodies. If patients have symptoms they believe could be caused by mesothelioma, they should contact a physician right away. Investigating early symptoms, even minor ones, may lead to early detection and improved prognosis.
05. Stage 2 Diagnosis
Stage 2 Mesothelioma Diagnosis and Causes
Mesothelioma may present diagnosis difficulties, in part because of the long period between asbestos exposure and symptom onset. The only definitive way to diagnose mesothelioma is by testing a biopsy tissue sample. However, doctors will often perform other tests before a biopsy to rule out other diseases.
The diagnostic process often begins with an overview of the patient’s medical history. Patients with known asbestos contact should be sure to mention their exposure at this time. After that, doctors may conduct a physical exam to look for lumps, body changes and abnormalities. Then, doctors may order imaging scans and blood tests.
If these general tests do not rule out cancer, doctors may order a biopsy. A biopsy procedure removes fluid or tissue from the patient for testing. This testing can determine mesothelioma’s presence.
Asbestos Exposure and Mesothelioma
Asbestos exposure is the only known cause of mesothelioma. Individuals may be exposed at work, home or going about their daily lives. Occupational exposure is common in certain industries, such as construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding.
Individuals who develop mesothelioma may be eligible to receive compensation. Many mesothelioma patients were exposed through the fault of negligent companies. Mesothelioma lawyers can help patients receive the compensation they deserve for their illnesses. Contact an experienced mesothelioma attorney today to learn more about compensation options.
06. Stage 2 Types
Stage 2 Mesothelioma by Type
Each mesothelioma type has different stage 2 characteristics, associated prognoses and effective treatments.
Stage 2 Pleural Mesothelioma
Malignant pleural mesothelioma is the most common type of the cancer. It develops in the lining around the lungs, called the pleura. Because of its prevalence, there are three staging systems doctors may use to determine disease progression. These include:
- The TNM system
- The Brigham staging system
- The Butchart system
Physicians most commonly use the TNM system to stage pleural mesothelioma. This system considers the size and extent of the tumor, the number of affected lymph nodes and metastasis (spreading).
Stage 2 Pleural Mesothelioma Characteristics
Stage 2 pleural mesothelioma has its own characteristics:
- Mesothelioma tumors develop in the pleura (lung lining) but only on one side of the body.
- Cancer cells may have spread into the adjacent lung, diaphragm and nearby lymph nodes.
- There is no distant metastasis.
Stage 2 Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Peritoneal mesothelioma is the second most common form of the disease. It develops in the lining around the abdomen, called the peritoneum. Doctors do not have a staging system specific to peritoneal mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma doctors may use the Peritoneal Cancer Index (PCI) to estimate stage. This system is used to help stage a variety of abdominal cancers but is not a mesothelioma-specific staging system. Using the PCI, doctors score regions of the abdomen based on the number and size of tumors. The total score indicates the stage.
Stage 2 Peritoneal Mesothelioma Characteristics
Stage 2 peritoneal mesothelioma is characterized by little spread and a lower-end PCI score.
- Stage 2 peritoneal cancer has a PCI score of 11 – 20.
- The cancer may have spread to nearby organs, tissues or lymph nodes.
- There is no involvement of distant organs.
Of the four main types of mesothelioma, peritoneal patients typically experience a more favorable prognosis. Early-stage diagnosis improves prognosis even further.
Stage 2 Pericardial Mesothelioma
Pericardial mesothelioma accounts for less than 1% of all mesothelioma diagnoses. This rare form develops in the lining around the heart, called the pericardium. Because it is rare, pericardial mesothelioma does not have its own staging system. Research into different characteristics of pericardial mesothelioma stages is limited. Doctors may not even stage this type.
Pericardial mesothelioma patients may still be eligible for certain treatments. Surgeries, multimodal treatments and palliative care may help improve pericardial mesothelioma prognosis.
Stage 2 Testicular Mesothelioma
Testicular mesothelioma develops in the tunica vaginalis, the lining around the testicle. Less than 1% of all mesothelioma cases develop in the tunica vaginalis. Information about staging of testicular mesothelioma is limited. However, doctors may be able to treat this rare disease to extend survival and improve quality of life.
07. Stage 2 Treatment
Stage 2 Mesothelioma Treatments
Stage 2 mesothelioma treatment plans typically take a multimodal approach. Multimodal mesothelioma treatment commonly combines surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy or radiation. Multimodal treatments differ by individual case and type of mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma doctors will consider the unique details of a patient’s case when putting together their treatment plan. It is important for patients to seek care from a doctor with lots of mesothelioma experience. An experienced doctor may ensure they are receiving the most effective treatments.
In stage 2 patients, physicians can often recommend aggressive therapies. These treatment plans attempt to remove as much of the cancer as possible. Palliative treatments may also accompany standard therapies. Stage 2 patients may seek palliative care to reduce mesothelioma cancer symptoms. Palliative care may also treat symptoms resulting from traditional therapies, such as chemotherapy.
Surgery
For stage 2 patients, surgery attempts to remove as many mesothelioma tumors as possible. Patients diagnosed at this stage may undergo different surgeries for different types of mesothelioma.
Stage 2 pleural mesothelioma patients may receive extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) or pleurectomy with decortication (P/D). Stage 2 peritoneal mesothelioma patients may receive cytoreductive surgery (CRS) or a peritonectomy.
- EPP removes the affected lung and surrounding tissues.
- P/D removes the lung lining and cancerous tissue. It does not remove the affected lung.
- CRS surgeries remove as much of the tumor as possible. Patients may hear CRS referred to as debulking or peritonectomy.
Chemotherapy
For stage 2 patients, chemotherapy can be administered before a main treatment type or after the main therapy. This helps to kill cancer cells.
In the early stages of mesothelioma, peritoneal patients may be eligible for surgery combined with heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy wash (HIPEC). This treatment has improved longer-term survival rates. In one study, stage 2 peritoneal mesothelioma patients treated with CRS and HIPEC experienced a 5-year survival rate of 62%. Some of these patients also received additional chemotherapy after CRS and HIPEC.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy uses a patient’s immune system to fight cancer. It has already helped extend survival for some mesothelioma patients. Different types of immunotherapy operate in different ways. Immunotherapy can be used as part of a multimodal treatment.
In one study, pleural mesothelioma patients of all stages received the immunotherapy duo Opdivo® and Yervoy®. The study compared this treatment to a chemotherapy regimen. Patients treated with Opdivo+Yervoy lived longer than those treated with chemotherapy.
The drug duo of Opdivo+Yervoy is a recommended treatment for some mesothelioma cases. Stage 1 and stage 2 patients may benefit from immunotherapy over chemotherapy.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation may be administered before or after surgery. This therapy helps decrease the spread or recurrence of mesothelioma cells following surgical procedures. It may be better suited to certain types of mesothelioma.
Studies have shown adjuvant radiation therapy may improve survival for patients with stage 1 and stage 2 pleural mesothelioma. One study from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center found more than 50% of stage 1 and 2 patients treated with adjuvant radiation lived at least two years.
Clinical Trials
Stage 2 patients may be eligible for emerging treatments through clinical trials. Some patients have benefitted from emerging treatments, such as photodynamic therapy and immunotherapy.
08. Common Questions
Common Questions About Stage 2 Mesothelioma
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Is stage 2 mesothelioma curable?
- Unfortunately, there is currently no cure for mesothelioma at any stage. However, early-stage patients often have the most favorable prognoses. Patients diagnosed in stage 2 or earlier are typically healthier and may be eligible for a wider range of treatments. For example, aggressive treatments like surgery can help patients achieve improved survival.
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How long can you live with stage 2 mesothelioma?
- The median survival for stage 2 mesothelioma ranges from 19 to 67 months. This range encompasses different types of mesothelioma. Doctors may be able to help patients live longer with treatment. Treatment options may be aggressive, typically consisting of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Some stage 2 patients have outlived their initial prognoses by several years.
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Is stage 2 mesothelioma difficult to diagnose?
- Mesothelioma can be difficult to diagnose in its early stages because symptoms may be unnoticed, mild or easily explained away by other conditions. In some cases, mesothelioma may even be misdiagnosed as other illnesses or forms of cancer. To receive an accurate diagnosis, patients should see a mesothelioma doctor with experience around this rare cancer.
