Mesothelioma-What Does It Mean ?

Mesothelioma-What Does It Mean ?

Mesothelioma, the medical name for cancer of the pleura (the lining of the lung and chest cavity), or cancer of the peritoneum (the lining of the abdomen). It is usually caused by a continuation of the long periods of time or exposure to asbestos.

Symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear only between twenty and fifty years after exposure, which explains the large number of new cases of this type of cancer comes to light now, despite the risk of asbestos were realized long ago, and the measures taken to reduce the risk of the disease .

As is the case with many forms of cancer, mesothelioma tumor can spread rapidly, and often affects the opposite pleura, and the continuation of the other internal. Symptoms include shortness of breath, chest pains, coughing, loss of weight.

Tests could be carried out initially by X-ray, CT with Thoric and open lung biopsy is used to confirm the results of the tests at an early date. If diagnosed early enough either, and the tumor can be removed surgically, and follow-up chemotherapy and radiation treatment, full recovery is often possible.

But in more advanced cases, treatment is usually not possible. In such cases, chemotherapy and radiotherapy can be used in conjunction with other treatments to relieve pain, to alleviate the symptoms. Can not be cured, and the average survival time is between four and eighteen months, depending on the stage of the tumor and the general health of the patient.