What is malignant mesothelioma cancer ? malignant mesothelioma cancer is an aggressive type of
cancer that affects the lining membrane of the stomach and lungs. So far, there’s
no spesific medicine to cure the disease, but there are some option for mesothelioma
cancer treatment which already well known. Those treatment are surgery,
chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.
Malignant Mesothelioma Cancer Facts
There are 3 facts we should know about malignant mesothelioma
cancer :
- Malignant mesothelioma cancr is the most serious disease of all diseases that associated with asbestos. Exposure to asbestos for a long time is the primary culprit in most cases of mesothelioma.
- To make a proper diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma cancer is a very difficult for doctors. Because the disease was present with symptoms that mimic other common ailments.
- Until now, there is no specific cure for mesothelioma, but treatments such as surgery and chemotherapy can help to improve the prognosis of mesothelioma even increase the life expectancy of a person.
- There are three main types of mesothelioma, and they are distinguished by the organs affected by mesothelioma are :
- Pleural mesothelioma (chest)
- Peritoneal mesothelioma (abdomen)
- Pericardial mesothelioma (heart)
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| Pleural mesothelioma |
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| Peritoneal mesothelioma |
What is Malignant Mesothelioma Cancer?
Mesothelioma cancer is a cancer that attacks the mesothelium. What is meant by mesothelium is the cell membrane that protects the body cavity includes chest, stomach, and liver. Mesothelial cells assist in general organ functions. The mesothelium is very important for the organ that is generally expanding and contracting like lungs, abdomen, or heart. Lubrication produced by mesothelial cells allows the stomach, chest and heart move freely in the body. Malignancy (tumor cancer) in mesothelial membrane is often referred to as malignant mesothelioma or mesothelioma. There is also a benign tumor on the mesothelium but it is rarer than malignant mesothelioma cancer.
Tumors of the mesothelium was first
recognized in the late 18th century. Then we learn more about the relationship
mesothelioma with asbestos. The study was conducted by a Hospital Witswater in
South Africa and provide strong evidence of the interconnections between
exposure to asbestos with mesothelioma.
Incident or complaint of mesothelioma cancer
is still quite rare, only reached 2,500-3,000 diagnoses in the United States
each year. Highest spike occurred in 1970 until 1984. That year appears
associated with a period of industrial growth, especially the use of asbestos
material in the previous 40. Conditions in the World War II era when there was
an increase mainly industrial scale military industry
Mesothelioma cancer diagnosis through a comprehensive combination of biopsy and imaging scans
Mesothelioma symptoms is quite difficult to
diagnose due to malignant mesothelioma cancer symptoms are similar to other
respiratory conditions. Because of this condition, misdiagnosis often occurs in
patients with mesothelioma cancer. Common symptoms of mesothelioma are chest
pain, chronic cough, effusions of the chest and abdomen, and there is blood in
lung fluid.
More detailed diagnosis can be made by biopsy. A biopsy is needed to determine the type of malignant cells that are present in the body. Then another diagnosis method is body imaging scan, including using Magnetic Renonance Image (MRI), CT scan, or Positron Emission Tomography (PET). Method - the method needed to see where the location of the disease and how widely spread.
Options for malignant mesothelioma cancer treatment
Although best known as a disease that is
quite aggressive but so far there has been no specific medicine to cope with
mesothelioma. However there are several options for malignant mesothelioma cancer
treatment such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. In addition to
the two combinations of chemotherapy drugs have been approved by the FDA as
Alimta® and cisplatin. There are currently ongoing clinical trials using other
drugs such as gemcitabine and Onconase®, which may provide a new treatment
option and can provide benefits to patients.
In addition, there are radiation therapy,
which is also used in conjunction along with other treatment methods such as
surgery and chemotherapy. Surgical resection of mesothelioma can also be
performed in patients at an early stage diagnosis. Palliative procedures and Diagnostic
such as pleurodesis and Thoracentesis are
also commonly performed in patients with malignant mesothelioma cancer in order to
minimize cancer-related symptoms. There are Alternative therapies and
conventional treatments have also been used effectively by many mesothelioma
patients to assist in managing symptoms of the disease.
Mesothelioma cancer is caused by asbestos exposure
In most case, mesothelioma disease caused
by asbestos exposure, although in some cases there are conditions mesothelioma cancer
on children or others who do not have a history and relationship with asbestos.
Asbestos is a mineral microscopic and settle in the pleural lining of the lungs
and the peritoneal lining of the abdominal cavity. In most cases, Mesothelioma
begin to appear after the age of 60 in those who have been exposed to asbestos.
People who are diagnosed as suffering from malignant mesothelioma cancer and exposure to asbestos must expend substantial costs for
treatment. They are the sufferers of mesothelioma where eligible will receive
financial compensation from asbestos manufacturers where they had worked to pay
for treatment of their disease.
The difference between Lung Cancer and Malignant Mesothelioma Cancer
Although mesothelioma is not officially a
form of lung cancer, but many people often referred malignant mesothelioma cancer to lung
cancer by people who are un familiar with the differences of them. This is
because of malignant mesothelioma symptoms like dry cough, chest pain and
shortness or diffculty of breath are
also found in those who have lung cancer.
Hence , its usual that mesothelioma tobe
mistaken for lung cancer at first glance. However, if complete test tobe done ,
including image scans and biopsies , it is definitely mesothelioma diagnosis
can be made. The similiarities of
between the two also mean it is necessary for people who was once exposed to
asbestos to provide their complete information
to their doctor in order to get clear and prompt diagnosis when mesothelioma symptoms arise.
Conclusion
Again, the major difference between lung cancer and
mesothelioma is that the diseases or cancer is not develops in the lungs, but
mesothelioma develops in the pleura, the thin membrane that form the lining of
the lungs. In addition to the pleura, malignant mesothelioma cancer can also develop in
other parts of the mesothelial membrane, such as the peritoneum (lining of the
abdominal) and pericardium (lining of the heart). Mean while Lung cancer always
start in the lungs and may can spread to other parts of the body.