When a person gets exposed to asbestos for longer durations of time, it leads to the development of a certain type of cancer called mesothelioma: Dangerous cells are formed in the protective lining which is the covering of our vital organs known as mesothelium, in this type of cancer. This fatal cancer normally affects the pleura, which is the peripheral lining of the lungs and internal chest wall. It may also occur in the lining of the abdominal cavity called the peritoneum and the sac protecting the heart known as the pericardium.
Mainly, people who had worked on jobs where they got exposed to asbestos particles are found to be the victims of mesothelioma: Another possibility is that asbestos dust and fiber must have entered their system through some other ways. The fatal disease does not even spare the family members of the workers. They also may get exposed through the particles which are trapped in the workers’ hair or cloths. The gravity of the disease is enhanced by the habit of smoking.
There are many symptoms associated with mesothelioma cancer. Chest wall pain, shortness of breath, weight loss, fever etc are the common symptoms found. Mainly, this abnormal condition is detected when the patient goes to the doctor for getting treated for some minor disease. In the process, some tests may give hints to the doctor who in turn recommends a biopsy and microscopic examination which diagnoses the cancer.
Proper diagnosis as well as timely treatment of the disease is very difficult regarding the disease. The fact that the symptoms of this type of cancer are similar to those of other medical conditions confuses the doctors to a considerable extent. Another difficulty is that the symptoms appear very late and may even remain undetected for even 50 years. This proves to be the greatest hurdle in curing the disease. If the abnormality is detected timely, chances of survival are greatly increased.
There are a few primary factors which have to be taken into account while deciding the treatment plan for mesothelioma: They are the type of cancer, the stage of the disease, the general health of the patient and his age. The popular treatment methods include surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. According to the discretion of the doctor based on the requirement of the hour, a combination of these methods is sometimes adopted.
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