Mesothelioma - Symptoms and Treatment
There has been a lot of talk in the world about Mesothelioma. There are mesothelioma awareness groups in almost every city in the United States. Mesothelioma is treated informally. It is a form of cancer and people who have been exposed to asbestos are very likely to suffer from the disease. If a person has inhaled asbestos, there is a possibility of worsening the disease with other factors, such as smoking, over a period of time.
Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer and is associated with previous exposure to asbestos. Cancer cells develop in a protective membrane, the mesothelium, which covers most internal organs of the body. The cells of the affected body part become abnormal and replicate without any control. These cells damage and invade tissues and organs. The excessive spread of mesothelioma in the body causes death.
Symptoms and treatment of mesothelioma:
Mesothelioma is very difficult to diagnose in the early stages of the disease. The symptoms mistakenly assume the age of other less serious affections. It takes several years for the symptoms to become obvious and this makes things worse. People with prolonged exposure to asbestos have the highest risk of developing mesothelioma. Malignant mesothelioma can begin in a person even with a small exposure to asbestos. The average age of patients, cleared by asbestos, is between 50 and 70 years old. The common presence of asbestos in the industrial environment affects men more. There are three main types of malignant mesothelioma: sarcomatoid, epithelial and mixed. Epithelial mesothelioma is the most common among them. Symptoms may include persistent cough, respiratory distress, and pneumonia.
There are many options available for the treatment of mesothelioma. This treatment includes radiotherapy, surgery and chemotherapy. The treatment of mesothelioma depends on many factors, such as age, stage of cancer and general health of the patient. Extensive research has been conducted to determine new mesothelioma treatment methods. Surgery is one of the most common treatments for the disease. Affected tissues and mucosa are removed and may include the lungs and the diaphragm.
Radiation therapy is another method of treating mesothelioma. This is done with the use of high energy X-rays. This energy kills cancer cells. Radiation therapy is possible both inside and outside the body. Methotherapy is a third cancer treatment technique. Chemotherapy drugs are used to kill cancer cells. This medicine is used in the form of tablets or needles.
A new method of treating mesothelioma is called intraoperative photodynamic therapy. Light and drugs are used in this technique to kill cancer cells for the early stages of thoracic mesothelioma during surgery. Despite the availability of many treatment techniques, doctors are losing the battle against the disease. Most of these treatments have side effects, such as organic lesions, increased heart failure and nausea, etc. Many clinical laboratories across the country are eager to find a more effective treatment or even a cure.