A mesothelioma is a form of cancer that affects the mesothelium. It is one of the forms of cancer that is usually brought on due to exposure to asbestos. The mesothelium is actually a thin membrane that covers the lungs, heart and few other internal organs. There are many people, who work in environments, like mines as well as construction sites, these people are more prone to getting exposed to asbestos fibers. Here is some more information about mesothelioma.
First, let us have a look at a few types of mesothelioma. There are two major types of mesothelioma.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is one of the most common forms in mesothelioma that develops within the mesothelium. Pleural mesothelioma usually develops in the pleural membrane that is the lungs lining.
The main reason for the cause of pleural mesothelioma is breathing in the asbestos fibers. When the asbestos fibers enter the lungs, they enter into the pleural membrane of the lungs. Once the fibers enter in there the body finds it almost impossible to dispose of it. Over a period of time, the asbestos fibers cause the pleural cells to change. These changes may cause the lungs to become scarred and, ultimately in tumors formation. Once these cells of the pleural membrane become cancerous, they continue to divide, which leads to the reduction of lung capacity and causes fluid buildup in between the pleural membrane layers.
Since pleural mesothelioma is not caught in the early stages of the diseases, the diagnosis for the mesothelioma patient is usually poor. However, if the disease is diagnosed in the earlier stages, then the patient’s health, as well as their life expectancy, can be much improved.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma is another form of cancer but is rarely found which strikes the peritoneum that is the cell walls that surrounds the abdominal cavity. The peritoneum usually lubricates the abdominal cavity that allows the contiguous internal organs to expand and contract. Peritoneal mesothelioma is found very rare, with much fewer than 500 people getting prone to this form of cancer every year.
Several years after asbestos fibers are inhaled in or ingested; tumors will develop in the victim’s abdomen. Various modern tests can examine whether or not a patient is suffering from peritoneal mesothelioma. Although the known fact is that the disease is not diagnosed until it is in the later stages, but still there are some treatment options.
Although few patients might qualify for surgery and other curative treatment alternatives, other patients might simply go for palliative measures. Many patients with peritoneal mesothelioma live on for less than a year. Though, with the good treatment, life expectancy can increase. A mesothelioma expert or specialist can help the patients to find the finest treatment options for the disease, which may improve the patient’s health prospects.
According to research, the average life expectancy of a person detected with peritoneal mesothelioma is approximately 7 months, although a few men have lived for even more months. Women typically survive for about 9 months after being detected, with a few of them surviving for a maximum of 49 to 50 months. Victims whose mesothelioma was detected early and with less severe indications naturally have a much better diagnosis.
Here are Few Mesothelioma Treatment Options
While treating cancer, usually the doctor’s focus on destroying the malignant cells and saving healthy cells. There are different ways to do this.
Doctors make use of chemotherapy, radiation or surgery or a combination of all of the three treatments as the most effective way to fight mesothelioma. The treatment that will be recommended usually depends on the following issues:
- The type and spot of the mesothelioma
- The size of the tumors
- How much the disease has metastasized?
- What is the stage of cancer?
- Patient’s age
- Patient’s health history
Many doctors are involved in treating the disease that includes a cancer specialist or an oncologist, a radiologist and a lung specialist or a pulmonologist. It may take time to detect the precise location and the type of cancer, but finding these factors will allow the cancer specialist to recommend the most effective treatment for mesothelioma.