Mesothelium is the thin layer of tissue that covers many internal organs in your body. The disease Mesothelioma mostly strikes the internal tissue of lungs, which is known as pleura. Other commonly affected areas are those around the abdomen and heart.
The number of patients with the condition is expected to increase by 2020. Since the disease is rare, people are often not aware of treatment and prevention options.
Prevention
The risk population of mesothelioma includes individuals who are exposed to asbestos fibers. Construction engineer encountering asbestos, miners, insulation manufacturers, ship builders and auto mechanics are at the most risk, so it is recommended they complete a self-assessment exam for the condition each month.
Patients are encouraged to consult a regulatory authority and follow the procedure for asbestos exposure. There are defined limits, beyond which the symptoms can lead to the disease. Those who have developed the condition already can check www.mesotheliomanews.com and other helpful resources for info on the kind of legal protections and compensation they can acquire. Homeowners should also consult with environmental agencies to determine asbestos levels and other dust particles in their homes. If you think you have been exposed, you also should consider an asbestos test san antonio or some other medical diagnosis.
Surgery as an option
In the status quo, surgery and chemotherapy remain the most viable options for many. The scope of the surgery is to target the fluid buildup in the lungs. In the case of mesothelioma, which targets the lungs (pleural mesothelioma), patients face difficulty in breathing. This is because the cancer causes fluid to build up in the lungs.
In this case, the doctor inserts a catheter to drain the fluid. In addition to improving the outcome of the surgery, medicine can help to prevent fluid build-up in the lungs.
In extreme cases, surgery is also used to remove the tissue around the lungs or abdomen. This is occasionally done for abdominal cavity and the lining of the ribs/lungs. The procedure helps to reduce the symptoms of the cancer.
Chemotherapy as an option
The form of chemotherapy used to treat mesothelioma is known as systemic chemotherapy. In this case, the chemicals and specific molecules travel throughout the body and reduce the tumor present in the lining of the skin. This option is viable when the growth cannot be removed through surgery.
Patients suffering from the disease can also opt to have chemotherapy done before and/or after the surgery. The benefit is that it greatly reduces the tumor in the infected skin.
Advancement of technology has also enabled researchers to come up with chemotherapy drugs that travel directly to the affected to the area, reducing collateral cell damage. This can be seen in the case of intraperitoneal chemotherapy, in which the drug is administered directly into the abdominal cavity. Likewise, intraplueral chemotherapy specifically targets the pleural membrane.
Clinical trials as an option
Cancers such as mesothelioma are an important area of research since cures are still elusive. Various health organizations such as the National Institute of Health America (NIH) are working on new treatment methods.
It is possible for patients to register in on-going clinical trials to try and receive an experimental treatment or get treated with a better drug for less cost. However, it is important to note that being part of a clinical trial is a personal decision and should be made in consultation with the family and the physician.
All being said…the best approach perhaps is to stay proactive while tackling mesothelioma, which involves using legal means for compensation where necessary and staying updated on latest news surrounding treatment options.
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