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Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that develops in the tissues of cells that line
the lungs, heart and stomach. These tissues are called mesothelial cells and they
become infected by inhaling particles of dust from asbestos fibers. Once these cells
become infected they dry up the fluids surrounding these major organs of the body
and tumors begin to develop. The most common form is
pleural mesothelioma which accounts for 75% of all malignant cases however there
are two other types peritoneal, and
pericardial which you may be interested in reading about.
Understanding Mesothelioma
Dealing with mesothelioma is a very difficult process. It
will require a lot of physical and emotional endurance, a strong family and social
network, and expert medical and professional advice and assistance. The best way
to approach dealing with mesothelioma is to first learn everything that you can
about the disease. This should include the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment,
and prognosis of mesothelioma.
Symptoms
Since mesothelioma takes a long time to develop inside a human
body it is often difficult to identify the symptoms. In the early stages there may
not even be any symptoms at all. When they do appear the most common
early symptoms are shortness of breath and
chest pains. These symptoms on their own will not usually identify the disease and
are often misdiagnosed as asthma or other respiratory problems like pneumonia.
Tests and Diagnosis
As discussed previously, mesothelioma takes a long time to
incubate within a human body before symptoms may appear and cause suffering to the
carrier. To be more specific, it can take fifteen to twenty years for this deadly
disease to fully show itself and the damage it has done. This presents a very difficult
challenge for doctors and the medical community in diagnosing
the disease and in many cases patients with this disease are either not aware
that they have it or do not ask the doctor to specifically check for symptoms.
Current Treatment
Once mesothelioma has been diagnosed a treatment procedure
can be recommended and begun. The correct treatment will depend on a number of factors.
They include the location of the tumor, the stage of the disease and how far the
cancer has spread in the patient. The recommended treatment
for mesothelioma will also depend on the age and overall health of the patient...
Causes and Risk Factors
The fine fibers of asbestos make it a great source for insulation
and a fire retardant however the entry of asbestos into the human body can trigger
the onset of mesothelioma. It is widely known now that Mesothelioma is almost
always caused by exposure to asbestos. Sometimes
the fibers enter the body through the lungs by an unsuspecting individual just breathing
air containing asbestos fibers. Once they are taken in through the respiratory passages
these fibers lodge themselves in the mesothelial cells around the lungs. This can
cause direct damage to the lungs by traveling to the ends of their small passages
and reaching the pleura area surrounding the lungs.
Types
There are many different types of mesothelioma that can occur
in the body, almost always as a result of some form of exposure to asbestos and
asbestos fibers. This can include pleural mesothelioma which affects the lungs,
peritoneal mesothelioma that affects the stomach or abdominal cavity, and pericardial
mesothelioma that refers to a cancer of the lining of the heart.
The Four Stages
Tracking the progress of cancers caused by mesothelomia is
called staging and it is commonly accepted that there are four main stages of mesothelomia.
These stages are measured by a variety of mechanisms including x-rays, CAT scans,
and MRI testing. All of these will tell an attending physician how far the cancer
has progressed and help to determine the appropriate level and type of treatment.
Pain Management Techniques
Once a doctor has made a full examination of the patient and
correctly diagnosed a case of mesothelioma they will discuss a course of treatment
with the patient and their family. This will almost always include a discussion
of pain management and a recommended course of pain management and control during
the treatment period and beyond. There are a number of options open to doctors and
patients in the area of pain management and control and they include drug therapy
and epidural implants, as well as psychological approaches that have helped many
mesothelioma patients better cope with the impact of pain.
Medical Related Hospitals
and Doctors
There are mesothelioma related hospitals and doctors located
all over the country. These are normally located in areas with university teaching
and research facilities and are dedicated to treating mesothelioma cancers as well
as conducting research and clinical trials on treatment and pain management methods
for mesothelioma patients.
After Diagnosis
Once there has been a positive identification and diagnosis
of mesothelioma there are a number of different reactions and emotional responses
that many patients feel as a result of the unexpected news. The first is often a
feeling of complete and utter shock that their work or other related exposure to
asbestos such a long time ago has resulted in such a dangerous and serious medical
condition.
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