Treatment for Mesothelioma Explained
Do you know that every time you are exposed to asbestos, your search for treatment for mesothelioma? It is generally called asbestos exposure. This is a disease that can be caused by breathing in fibers of silicosis or asbestos or touching one's organ with it. According to studies, the prevalence of this disease is 31000 people per year throughout the world. Fortunately, it can be treated significantly well with a few different treatments like chemotherapy therapy and surgery.
source: The Mesothelioma Center
Mesothelioma, also known as malignant mesothelioma, is a cancer of the mesothelial cells in the body. It causes inflammation of the mesothelial cells, a non-cancerous inflammatory cell that surrounds and protects the body's internal organs. Mesothelioma rarely occurs and most commonly affects the lungs, stomach, pleura, peritoneal surfaces, and pericardium.
How is mesothelioma classified? The cancers are grouped by the tissue in which they originate: Pleural Mesothelioma, Pleural Mucinous Mesothelioma, Peritoneal Mesothelioma, Peritoneal Mucinous Mesothelioma, and Abdominal Mesothelioma.
Who has mesothelioma:
I've heard people say, "mesothelioma is the cancer of old people." That's true in a sense, but it's fairly rare. Most people diagnosed with mesothelioma are between the ages of 40 to 60. If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you need to take action. You need help!
Diagnosis of Mesothelioma:
Diagnosing mesothelioma can be a long and complicated process. It involves several tests, and sometimes the same test is repeated over time to help diagnose the disease.
The tests usually include:
Blood tests:
Blood tests are usually done to look for certain proteins called biomarkers that indicate cancer.
Chest x-ray:
An x-ray of your chest can show tumors in the lungs or around the heart.
CT scan:
CT scans use x-rays to create cross-sectional images of your body. These images can help doctors see if cancer spreads within the chest or other body parts.
Biopsy:
A biopsy is a surgical procedure in which a tissue sample is taken from a tumor and tested in a lab to determine what kind of cancer it is.
Endoscopic procedures:
Doctors may use special tools with long, thin tubes (endoscopes) inserted through small incisions in your skin to take tissue samples from areas difficult to reach through open surgery. Scopes may be used to collect biopsy samples from your lungs, abdomen, and heart area during surgery.
Treatment for Mesothelioma:
Mesothelioma is a rare kind of cancer that affects the thin layer of tissue covering most internal organs, called the mesothelium. The disease is commonly caused by exposure to asbestos and can take up to 40 years to develop after exposure. Once diagnosed, various treatment options may be used to treat mesothelioma.
The common treatment for mesothelioma:
The most common treatment for mesothelioma includes surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Each type of therapy is designed to attack the cancerous cells differently. Surgery involves removing the tumor or diseased tissue from the body. At the same time, chemotherapy uses drugs to attack the cancer cells throughout the body, and radiation therapy targets cancerous cells with targeted doses of radiation. Depending on the stage of the disease at diagnosis, one or more of these treatments may be combined to maximize results and slow down tumor growth.
Alternative treatment for mesothelioma:
There is also an alternative treatment for mesothelioma that can be used either in conjunction with traditional treatments or as an alternative option for those who are not eligible for surgery or chemotherapy for health reasons. Alternative therapies include immunotherapy and gene therapy, both of which use specialized techniques to help strengthen the immune system's ability to fight off cancer.
The thing to remember in treatment for mesothelioma:
The most important thing to do when you have mesothelioma is to see a doctor immediately. While there is no cure for this disease, it can be treated with surgery and radiation therapy to alleviate your symptoms and slow cancer progression. The earlier you get diagnosed, the better chance you'll find treatments that work for you.
Conclusion:
You will be happy to know that it is possible to treat mesothelioma, significantly improving your chances of beating this incurable cancer and dramatically increasing your longevity. A variety of factors determines the effectiveness of any treatment. For example, there is popular chemotherapy and radiation therapy available today: however, they often result in uncontrollable and painful side effects such as severe nausea, vomiting, and hair loss.
We have published the symptoms and Causes of Mesothelioma in the previous article. Here is the link.