What Is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma the medical name for cancer of the pleura (the lining of the lung and chest cavity) or cancer of the peritoneum (the lining of the abdomen). It is usually caused by prolonged or persistent exposure to asbestos.
Symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until between twenty and fifty years after exposure, which explains why so many new cases of this form of cancer are coming to light now, even though the dangers of asbestos were realized long ago and measures taken to reduce the risk of the disease.
As with many forms of cancer, the mesothelioma tumor can spread rapidly, often infecting the opposite pleura, and continuing on to other internal organs. Symptoms include a shortness of breath, chest pains, coughing, and loss of weight.
Testing can be carried out initially by X-Ray, with a Thoric CT and open lung biopsy being used to confirm the findings of the early tests. If it is diagnosed early enough, the tumor can be surgically removed, and with follow-up chemotherapy and radiation treatment, full recovery is often possible.
However, in more advanced cases, cure is usually not possible. In such cases, chemotherapy and radiation treatment can be used alongside other pain relief treatments, to ease the symptoms. Where cure is not possible, the average survival time is between four and eighteen months, depending on the stage of the tumor and the general health of the patient.
About The Author
Angela Cambourne owns and maintains the Mesothelioma Hub, an extensive resource site. http://www.mesothelioma-hub.com.
Your Mesothelioma Case
Your Mesothelioma case is important to you. You have been robbed of years of your life because of someones negligence. The question is what are you going to do about it? Mesothelioma is a serious disease. Mesothelioma is caused from exposure to asbes...
The Symptoms of Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer which is being discovered more and more frequently in elderly men. The most common cause of mesothelioma is from asbestos exposure and affects the membrane of many of the most vital internal organs such as the lungs ...
Meothelioma Risk Calculator
This is a unique risk calculator that has been specially devised keeping in mind the seriousness and the importance of mesothelioma cancer. This mesothelioma risk calculator has been designed after giving careful consideration to the necessary condit...
How To Apply For A Mesothelioma Scholarship
Awareness about mesothelioma is increasing tremendously across the globe. Almost each and every city in USA consists of various groups specializing in mesothelioma awareness. Mesothelioma research is an extensive topic which includes various aspects ...
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Approximately 10-20 percent of the cases of mesothelioma begin in the lining of the abdominal cavity (peritoneal mesotheliomas). This type of mesothelioma does not respond well to treatment, but is less common than pleural mesothelioma, which affects...
Mesothelioma Treatment Web Sites
Mesothelioma is an unusual form of cancer of the mesothelial cells that line the lungs, heart and the stomach. In recent times, in the U.S, there has been an alarming rise in the occurrence of mesothelioma cases mainly caused by exposure to asbestos....
Mesothelioma Treatment Forums
Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos, a mineral mostly found in various industrial products. It is believed that many people, who are afflicted by mesothelioma, are not even aware of it. There are many local an...
Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is generally caused by the inhalation of fibers from asbestos, which is a carcinogenic material. It is commonly seen among workers in the construction industry who have long exposure to asbestos. It can also be caused by living in asbest...
Mesothelioma Laws
Mesothelioma is one of the deadliest and rarest forms of cancer types. Mesothelioma has developed for the people who have been exposed to the asbestos. The lawsuit for mesothelioma allows a person to file the case if the disease has developed through...
Other Asbestos-Associated Diseases
The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) have approved a combination of Alimta and Cisplatin for mesothelioma treatments, and other asbestos-associated diseases.The happens to be the first and only drug that is proved to help treat mesothelioma patien...