Mesothelioma Treatment
Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that generally occurs in the lining of the lungs, abdomen and peritoneum. If left untreated, it can progress to a more aggressive stage, causing death.
Mesothelioma is diagnosed through blood tests, X-rays and biopsy. The doctors will check the size of the tumor and its place in the body. During a biopsy, the doctor will examine the area and look for cancer cells, using the tissue from the patient. Biopsy is a procedure where an organ (bio-cut) is removed for examination and microscopic examinations are done to confirm the presence of mesothelioma.
During the procedure, the doctor may give the patient medication and administer general anesthesia. A tube will be inserted into the abdomen and it will be possible to control the flow of blood with the help of an endotracheal tube. In some cases, some parts of the body, such as the breastbone, chest, liver, lung, diaphragm and esophagus, will be removed for biopsy. The patient will also receive radiotherapy therapy, where a patient will be given radio waves to kill the cancer cells.
During the procedure, the patient will be under a general or local anesthetic. The patient will be allowed to sleep and eat on the first day of the procedure. It is important that the patient will get enough rest and that he/she will not have physical activity. The doctors will monitor the patient’s condition and they will check him/her every day to make sure the patient has no pain.
During the post-operative care, a doctor will examine the patients’ blood and urine to see if there are any abnormal results. Blood tests will show if the patient is suffering from elevated blood sugar or if the patient is dehydrated.
After the surgery, the doctor will tell the patient to start having his or her meals, even if the patient has an early stage of mesothelioma. The patient should keep eating regularly because this is the best method to prevent a recurrence of the cancerous cells.
Patients will not be able to use a motor vehicle until the extent of their mesothelioma has been treated completely. For these patients, driving a car or operating machinery is very dangerous. These patients are often advised to stay at home to be close to the doctor or family members.
The patient should also be careful when working with radium or other hazardous chemicals. This may cause a cancerous growth which can be fatal. The risk of developing the disease increases when a person has a family history of this illness.
