What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a rare disease caused as a result of malignant
cancerous cells lining the patient's body cavities such as chest,
abdominal region or the area surrounding the heart. It is typically
associated with exposure to asbestos which has been documented
in as many as 70-80% of all mesothelioma cases. This disease is
very difficult to assess consistently due to the great variability
in time before diagnosis and the rate of progression of malignant
mesothelioma.
Even insignificant exposure to asbestos (commonly reported
in such work environments as asbestos mills, mines, shipping yards,
some older Navy ships or patients. homes) is known to result in mesothelioma,
which in many cases does not occur for decades after initial exposure
to this cancer-causing substance. In the recent years as many as 2000-3000
cases of mesothelioma have been diagnosed per year. It is also known that
family members of workers exposed to asbestos can contract this disease
through exposure to the worker.s clothing. Smoking greatly increases the
risk of contracting mesothelioma.
Some of the earliest symptoms of mesothelioma can often be
mistaken for less serious illness and are commonly overlooked. Some patients
do not show any signs of sickness in the early stages of development of the
disease. Most commonly the symptoms include dyspnea, pleuritic pain, lasting
cough, fatigue, and weight loss. However, these can not be easily attributed
to mesothelioma unless the patient is examined by their health care provider
and necessary tests are done, which may include CT scans, x-rays scans, or MRI.
Surgery can be one of the treatment options; however, the recurrence rate of
cancerous cells is high. It is very important that the disease is diagnosed and
treated as early as possible.
This disease is not linked with patient's race; however it is
more common in men. Most cases of mesothelioma occur 30-45 years after initial
exposure to asbestos. Once it develops, this cancer will continue to grow until
it is treated.
Mesothelioma Treatment: What You Can Do
If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with mesothelioma,
remember that time matters. The faster you consult your doctor and get
professional care the better your chances will be of dealing with this dangerous
cancer. There are three traditional methods of fighting cancerous mesothelioma:
surgery, chemotherapy drugs and radiation therapy. Please contact your doctor as
soon as possible to get more information.
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