Mesothelioma Treatment – Options Available to You
Symptoms and signs of mesothelioma usually vary according to where on the body the cancer happens. Pleural mesothelioma causes symptoms and signs that can include: chest pain. Painful coughing. Shortness of breathe.
Peritoneal mesothelioma affects tissue in the abdomen around the lower part of the chest and neck. The lining of this tissue swells, causing a burning pain known as peritoneal mesothelioma. Some people with this condition also experience abdominal swelling. Some patients with peritoneal mesothelioma can even develop pleural plaques, which cause a narrowing of the affected arteries in the neck and chest. If left untreated, Pleural Mesothelioma can lead to death.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that has been widely used for years, but it was still unknown to most of us until the late 1980’s when asbestos-related illnesses began to occur. During this time many studies were conducted to find out if there were any links between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma. The results showed that people who worked in the mining, manufacturing, and construction industries were more likely to develop this disease. However, it was difficult to determine if the asbestos was the main cause or if something else caused the increased risk. For instance, asbestos fibers can be disturbed by environmental factors, like heat, chemicals, and rain. Over time, the disturbed fibers cause scarring in the lungs which can cause an asbestos allergy.
One of the initial treatments for mesothelioma is radiation therapy. This treatment involves using high energy rays to kill mesothelioma cells and tissues. This treatment can be administered through surgery, chest X-rays, or a chemotherapy drug. The treatment can be used to treat the majority of mild to moderate cases of mesothelioma. However, for patients with severe cases that have not responded to other treatments or who are developing tumors, radiation therapy may be considered as the only option.
Another common type of mesothelioma treatment is radiological surgery. This treatment involves the use of a machine to remove impacted tissues from the patient’s affected area using radio waves. Although this method is highly effective at removing the majority of affected tissue, it also leaves scarring. This can make many people uncomfortable, causing them to want to choose other mesothelioma treatments, such as the use of chemotherapy or surgical removal.
Lastly, surgical treatments for mesothelioma are often used. Surgeries that treat the general peritoneal mesothelioma involve removal of a portion of the mesothelium and mesothelioma scar tissue in an attempt to kill the cancer cells present in the lining of the organs. Because it doesn’t address the actual cancer growth itself, this approach is less successful in treating most patients. However, in rare cases, it may be successful in completely removing the cancerous cells in the peritoneal mesothelium lining. As this treatment option leaves more work than the previous two, it is not widely used.
