Mesothelioma: Treatment Options
Mesothelioma is a cancer that develops after inhalation of asbestos dust . In mesothelioma, cancerous cells form in the layer that lines most of visceral organs, called the mesothelium. Mesothelioma commonly occurs in the pleura which lines the lungs and walls of the thorax), but may also develop in the peritoneal membrane, the pericardial sac or the tunica vaginalis.
Mesothelioma develops in people who have worked in environments where they have ingested or inhaled asbestos dust. Any form of exposure like washing the clothes of a person exposed to asbestos, increases the risk of developing mesothelioma. It should be noted that there is no relation between smoking and mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma is a permanent cancer and seriously affects the tissues of the lungs and/or abdomen. The symptoms associated with mesothelioma do not manifest just after exposure to asbestos dust. Often it takes anywhere between 20-30 years for visible symptoms to appear. The slow onset of symptoms makes it very difficult to identity mesothelioma when it is still in initial stages.
The treatment options for mesothelioma depend on many factors like the stage of the cancer, the region or location of the cancer, , the duration of the problem, the appearance of the cancerous cells the age of the affected individual. These factors are properly taken in consideration before going for a treatment plan.
The following treatments used to treat mesothelioma:
Surgery: Two surgical procedures are commonly employed: aggressive and palliative surgical procedures.
Aggressive surgery involves the removal of the pleural membrane, the lung, the diaphragm and the pericardium. The aim of this procedure is to excise as much cancerous tissue as possible.
Palliative procedures are used at the advanced stages of mesothelioma. The aim of palliative procedure is to provide relief from the symptoms of mesothelioma.
Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy involves the use of drugs to kill the cancerous cells. Chemotherapeutic drugs may be administered in the form of tablets or injections. For getting better outcomes, chemotherapeutic drugs are often given in combination with other drugs.
Radiation therapy: Radiotherapy or radiation therapy makes use radiations to destroy cancerous cells. It is complex procedure as the cancerous tissues are surrounded by other normal tissues. Radiation therapy may cause damage to normal and healthy tissue. To prevent unwanted side effects, low intensity radiations may be used.
Even though mesothelioma is a fatal disease with low survival rates, identifying the disease in its early stages and starting the right treatment procedure can prolong the life of the affected person by many years.
Tags: Mesothelioma Treatments