Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Mesothelioma Symptoms and Treatments

By Ibrahim Abolarinwa Atoyebi
The treatments of mesothelioma depends on what stage the disease is in. Mesothelioma is an asbestos-related illness which concerns the thin membranes that line certain organisms the body. The lungs, abdominal cavity, and sometimes the heart lining are at risk when mesothelioma is involved.
When cancer cells attacks the mesothelium, a thin sack-like membrane that lines the chest, abdominal cavity, and surrounds the heart, it is called mesothelioma. The disease comes in three major types. Pleural mesothelioma is in the linings of the lungs. Peritoneal mesothelioma affects the abdominal cavity, while pericardia mesothelioma, the rarest form of this cancer, strikes the lining of the heart.
In the first stage mesothelioma cases surgery is often an option. The disease has been diagnosed in time for this to be of help. Lung surgery can be performed to remove portions of the lung or the entire lung. Cancerous pieces of the abdominal mesothelium and heart lining can be taken out at this stage. Other treatment at this point involve radiation therapy and chemotherapy, with specific regions able to be targeted.
During stage two and three instances of mesothelioma the treatment shift from attempting to remove the cancer to limit its effects. Fluid build-up resulting from damage to the lining can be removed with certain procedures and operations can be performed to take out the tumors. Chemo and radiation is still possible, with areas that are affected being the main objective. By these stage a cure is normally not a realistic outcome. People can be enrolled in clinical trials if they qualify with those that do are to have new drugs with unknown potentials given to them.
Be aware that the process for diagnosis usually begins with a compilation of the patients full medical and work history including any exposure to asbestos. A medical examination is performed and if a problem is suspected, one or more diagnosis test are ordered. These typically include medical imaging test such as X-ray or CT and MRI scans as well as biopsy procedure that test samples of fluid and Tissue for the presence of cancer cells. Diagnostic tests are also used to determine how far the cancer has advanced, and whether it has spread to other parts of the body.
Get mesothelioma test done. An early initiation of treatment will help reduce the cancer pain considerably. Mesothelioma patients should always be aware of the risk of any treatments. Surgery has a level of risk involved, but ever more so when the heart and lung may be involved. Side effects from chemotherapy and radiation therapy can be quite severe and prolonged, making a patients quality of life very poor. Those that are able to qualify for and participate in clinical trials will be blazing new trials in mesothelioma treatment and will be advised of any possible risks by physicians before taking that decision.

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