Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that occurs in thin membranes (called the mesothelium) lining the chest, lungs, abdomen and sometimes the heart. Although rare, mesothelioma symptoms strike more than 200 people each year in the United States. Most mesothelioma cases are directly linked to asbestos exposure.
Due to the long latency period of mesothelioma, the average age of patients is between 50 and 70. Mesothelioma affects men more because of the high exposure of asbestos in industrial work writing. Mesothelioma Symptoms include difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, persistent cough and pneumonia. Other symptoms of mesothelioma include weight loss, abdominal problems and swelling. In some patients with mesothelioma, symptoms of mesothelioma are very faint, making it difficult for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma physicians specialize in the study, research and treatments of mesothelioma cancer.
Mesothelioma (or cancer of the mesothelium) is a disease in which cells become abnormal and replicate without control. For mesothelioma, the cells will invade and damage tissues and organs. Mesothelioma cancer cells can spread throughout the body causing death.
Mesothelioma Mesothelioma treatments and clinical trials and testing
There are many Mesothelioma treatment options available. Treatments include surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment for mesothelioma depends on the patient's age, general health and stage of cancer. Much research has been conducted mesothelioma over the past two years to find new treatment methods. Click here to read more about techniques for treatment of mesothelioma.
Through the investigation of mesothelioma, National Cancer Institute has sponsored testing of mesothelioma and clinical trials are designed to find new treatment methods. Due to the increase in the number of cases of mesothelioma in the United States, both governments have increased funding for mesothelioma research. Mesothelioma research and clinical trials have been successful in developing new techniques to combat this type of cancer and the prospects for advanced mesothelioma treatments is promising.
Surgery is the most common treatment method for malignant mesothelioma. Tissues affected by mesothelioma and coatings are removed by the physician and may include lung or diaphragm, even.
A method of treating mesothelioma second is radiation therapy through the use of high energy X-rays that kill cancer cells. Radiation therapy may be outside or inside the body.
A third method of mesothelioma treatment is chemotherapy. Through pills or drugs through needles, chemotherapy drugs used to kill cancer cells.
A method of new mesothelioma treatment is called photodynamic therapy intraoperatively. In this treatment, the light and drugs used to kill cancer cells during surgery in the early stages of mesothelioma in the chest. Although there are numerous treatments and drugs for mesothelioma, doctors are losing the battle against this deadly disease. Most mesothelioma treatments involve old techniques combined with different drug cocktails. However, in most cases, these mesothelioma treatments have many side effects including organ damage, nausea, increased heart failure etc. The rush to find a more effective mesothelioma treatment and even cure is ongoing in many clinical laboratories across the country. Hopefully mesothelioma treatments, one day eradicate mesothelioma cancer and asbestosis.
