Mesothelioma: A Merciless Killer Of Unwitting Souls

By Joe Harrell

Asbestos is a carcinogenic material which is responsible for the dangerous type of cancer called mesothelioma: Here, cancerous cells are developed in the protective covering of the internal organs known as mesothelium. It may affect the outer lining of the lungs, the lining of the abdominal cavity or the protective covering of the heart.

It is quite natural for the workers of factories where asbestos is involved to inhale the dangerous particles. Even the relatives and close family members are not left out by mesothelioma: Asbestos particles that remain attached to the workers' cloths and hair reach their dear and near ones. It has been found that workers, who are heavy smokers, are under the threat of this cancer induced by asbestos particles.

Wide range of symptoms is there for this disease, which includes shortness of breath, weight-loss, pain in the chest wall, fever etc. Many a times the disease is detected when the patient goes to the physician for treating some other disorders. If the doctor finds something to be suspicious, he advises a biopsy which may confirm the fatal illness.

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. - 30285

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