Mesothelioma is a tragic and deadly form of cancer, caused by exposure to asbestos, that often shows signs between ten and forty years after contraction, although a few cases have popped up as long as sixty years after the asbestos exposure. There are three main types of Mesothelioma, each named after which part of the body it attacks.
Pleural Mesothelioma attacks the protective lining of the lungs, which is called the pleura. Pericardial Mesothelioma attacks the protective lining around the heart, while Peritoneal Mesothelioma is centrally focused on the abdominal cavity.
All forms of Mesothelioma are treated like cancer. Aggressive treatments such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy are often used, as well as surgical options when appropriate.
Peritoneal is not the most common form of Mesothelioma, but it can certainly be equally as deadly as any other form of Mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma develops in the lining of the intended target and manifests over decades before finally releasing itself on the victim.
Most cases of Mesothelioma only carry a maximum of a twenty four month life span. Mesothelioma progresses quickly, and often debilitates within months or even weeks of showing initial symptoms such as weight loss and loss of appetite, bowel distress, abdominal cramping or pain, or abdominal swelling or obstruction.
Mesothelioma treatments are not easy to deal with and take quite a bit out of the body. Peritoneal Mesothelioma treatments have the best shot at directing an affected body toward health when Peritoneal Mesothelioma is diagnosed prior to the onset of symptoms. Mesothelioma doctors and Mesothelioma lawyers agree that those who know or suspect that they have been exposed to asbestos in the past should get regular Mesothelioma testing done to attempt to diagnose this deadly disease early. The earlier the diagnosis, the greater the chances of surviving Peritoneal Mesothelioma.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma can often be treated with chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy involves either intravenously introducing cancer killing chemicals into the body or allowing the patient to ingest the chemical concoctions in pill form. Either way, the goal is to kill the cancer cells with a dictated set of chemicals that are known to kill the Mesothelioma cancer cells.
Chemotherapy comes with its share of risks and physical complications.
The body does not appreciate the chemicals that are introduced to the Mesothelioma cells. A feeling of illness often accompanies chemotherapy. Weight loss, the loss of hair, the loss of appetite, the loss of taste, fatigue, nausea, and vomiting are just a few of the symptoms a Mesothelioma patient can expect to go through when undergoing chemotherapy. Chemo therapy can weaken the immune system as well as exhaust the body to the point that continuing with chemotherapy is actually just too much for the patient to handle.
When treating Peritoneal Mesothelioma with chemotherapy, radiation is often added to the treatment plan. Treating Peritoneal Mesothelioma with radiation involves introduction radiation directly into the heart of the tumor or tumors. When radiation and chemotherapy are used together to attempt to kill the Mesothelioma cancer cells, the patient tends to feel drastically ill, and treatment rounds are often scheduled with a reasonable break in between to allow the patient to recover.
Mesothelioma treatments are difficult to go through, difficult on families, expensive, and in the case of Mesothelioma, are often unsuccessful at prolonging healthy life. Mesothelioma doctors are frustrated that they do not have greater resources or advanced research at their disposal. Despite cutting edge technology, Mesothelioma is not very high on the list of cancer researchers agendas as it is still considered a rare disease.
Some Peritoneal Mesothelioma patients undergo a surgical procedure where the protective lining which encases the spleen, stomach, liver, pancreas, and intestines is removed. In some Mesothelioma patients, this has proven to lead to the removal of most of the cancer, which is the only time that this procedure is really recommended.
Palliative therapies are often added to the regimen of treatments for Peritoneal Mesothelioma patients. Palliative therapies help to relieve the immense pressure which can build up inside the abdomen when dealing with Peritoneal Mesothelioma. The fluid accumulation that builds up inside the abdomen can be relieved via suction, often placing a needle or various forms of suction into the abdomen and drawing out the build up of fluids.
The earlier that treatment for Peritoneal Mesothelioma begins, the greater the chance the patient has at survival. Mesothelioma is highly deadly, and without early detection, the painful treatment options typically are used to extend life for as long as there is still a quality of life to extend.
Pleural Mesothelioma attacks the protective lining of the lungs, which is called the pleura. Pericardial Mesothelioma attacks the protective lining around the heart, while Peritoneal Mesothelioma is centrally focused on the abdominal cavity.
All forms of Mesothelioma are treated like cancer. Aggressive treatments such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy are often used, as well as surgical options when appropriate.
Peritoneal is not the most common form of Mesothelioma, but it can certainly be equally as deadly as any other form of Mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma develops in the lining of the intended target and manifests over decades before finally releasing itself on the victim.
Most cases of Mesothelioma only carry a maximum of a twenty four month life span. Mesothelioma progresses quickly, and often debilitates within months or even weeks of showing initial symptoms such as weight loss and loss of appetite, bowel distress, abdominal cramping or pain, or abdominal swelling or obstruction.
Mesothelioma treatments are not easy to deal with and take quite a bit out of the body. Peritoneal Mesothelioma treatments have the best shot at directing an affected body toward health when Peritoneal Mesothelioma is diagnosed prior to the onset of symptoms. Mesothelioma doctors and Mesothelioma lawyers agree that those who know or suspect that they have been exposed to asbestos in the past should get regular Mesothelioma testing done to attempt to diagnose this deadly disease early. The earlier the diagnosis, the greater the chances of surviving Peritoneal Mesothelioma.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma can often be treated with chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy involves either intravenously introducing cancer killing chemicals into the body or allowing the patient to ingest the chemical concoctions in pill form. Either way, the goal is to kill the cancer cells with a dictated set of chemicals that are known to kill the Mesothelioma cancer cells.
Chemotherapy comes with its share of risks and physical complications.
The body does not appreciate the chemicals that are introduced to the Mesothelioma cells. A feeling of illness often accompanies chemotherapy. Weight loss, the loss of hair, the loss of appetite, the loss of taste, fatigue, nausea, and vomiting are just a few of the symptoms a Mesothelioma patient can expect to go through when undergoing chemotherapy. Chemo therapy can weaken the immune system as well as exhaust the body to the point that continuing with chemotherapy is actually just too much for the patient to handle.
When treating Peritoneal Mesothelioma with chemotherapy, radiation is often added to the treatment plan. Treating Peritoneal Mesothelioma with radiation involves introduction radiation directly into the heart of the tumor or tumors. When radiation and chemotherapy are used together to attempt to kill the Mesothelioma cancer cells, the patient tends to feel drastically ill, and treatment rounds are often scheduled with a reasonable break in between to allow the patient to recover.
Mesothelioma treatments are difficult to go through, difficult on families, expensive, and in the case of Mesothelioma, are often unsuccessful at prolonging healthy life. Mesothelioma doctors are frustrated that they do not have greater resources or advanced research at their disposal. Despite cutting edge technology, Mesothelioma is not very high on the list of cancer researchers agendas as it is still considered a rare disease.
Some Peritoneal Mesothelioma patients undergo a surgical procedure where the protective lining which encases the spleen, stomach, liver, pancreas, and intestines is removed. In some Mesothelioma patients, this has proven to lead to the removal of most of the cancer, which is the only time that this procedure is really recommended.
Palliative therapies are often added to the regimen of treatments for Peritoneal Mesothelioma patients. Palliative therapies help to relieve the immense pressure which can build up inside the abdomen when dealing with Peritoneal Mesothelioma. The fluid accumulation that builds up inside the abdomen can be relieved via suction, often placing a needle or various forms of suction into the abdomen and drawing out the build up of fluids.
The earlier that treatment for Peritoneal Mesothelioma begins, the greater the chance the patient has at survival. Mesothelioma is highly deadly, and without early detection, the painful treatment options typically are used to extend life for as long as there is still a quality of life to extend.
The best way to protect a human being from mesothelioma is to make sure there is absolutely no exposure to asbestos materials at any time in their life. Currently, in the United States and in most developed countries, individuals are only permitted to work with asbestos materials under strict regulation. Protection is worn and several other types of precautions are taken so that the possibility of inhaling any bit of asbestos is eliminated.
There is still a risk of exposure, however, to people who are living and/or working in environments that may contain asbestos that was installed several decades ago. For example, a construction worker whose job is to help demolish old buildings may be inadvertently exposed asbestos particles in the air. It is a very real possibility that asbestos was used in the insulation systems in old buildings that can easily become airborne when touched, moved or knocked down.
Homes, office buildings, schools, and many other buildings that were built prior to the 1980s run a risk of containing asbestos materials.
While asbestos may be safe when it is contained under floor tile or under a painted wall, there is still a risk for particles to be in the air.
Old buildings should be checked for asbestos and if it is determined that asbestos is present, it should be thoroughly and properly removed by a licensed asbestos removal company. Under NO circumstances should an individual with no training attempt to remove asbestos from any facility. Attempting to touch or remove asbestos improperly can lead to exposure and the risk of developing mesothelioma in the future.
Many asbestos-producing companies throughout the world neglected to keep any records of employee deaths due to mesothelioma. Typically, the governments of the countries where these companies existed have tried to use the fact that records do not exist to deny that there has been any sort of problem related to asbestos and mesothelioma. Hence, asbestos workers and their families have received no form of apology or support from the companies or the government in their home country.
Another way to help ensure that exposure to asbestos is eliminated for individuals who work in industries that may be exposed to asbestos (such as construction workers) is to always wear protective equipment.
While it is known that exposure to asbestos for long periods of time increases the risk of developing mesothelioma, it is also known that exposure for a brief period also comes with risk. There is absolutely no safe level of exposure to asbestos.
Unfortunately, there may never be a way to completely eliminate 100 percent of the risk associated with asbestos, simply because asbestos is something that is found in nature. Natural asbestos will always be present in the world, and it continues to be manufactured, although, under tight regulations.
There is still a risk of exposure, however, to people who are living and/or working in environments that may contain asbestos that was installed several decades ago. For example, a construction worker whose job is to help demolish old buildings may be inadvertently exposed asbestos particles in the air. It is a very real possibility that asbestos was used in the insulation systems in old buildings that can easily become airborne when touched, moved or knocked down.
Homes, office buildings, schools, and many other buildings that were built prior to the 1980s run a risk of containing asbestos materials.
While asbestos may be safe when it is contained under floor tile or under a painted wall, there is still a risk for particles to be in the air.
Old buildings should be checked for asbestos and if it is determined that asbestos is present, it should be thoroughly and properly removed by a licensed asbestos removal company. Under NO circumstances should an individual with no training attempt to remove asbestos from any facility. Attempting to touch or remove asbestos improperly can lead to exposure and the risk of developing mesothelioma in the future.
Many asbestos-producing companies throughout the world neglected to keep any records of employee deaths due to mesothelioma. Typically, the governments of the countries where these companies existed have tried to use the fact that records do not exist to deny that there has been any sort of problem related to asbestos and mesothelioma. Hence, asbestos workers and their families have received no form of apology or support from the companies or the government in their home country.
Another way to help ensure that exposure to asbestos is eliminated for individuals who work in industries that may be exposed to asbestos (such as construction workers) is to always wear protective equipment.
While it is known that exposure to asbestos for long periods of time increases the risk of developing mesothelioma, it is also known that exposure for a brief period also comes with risk. There is absolutely no safe level of exposure to asbestos.
Unfortunately, there may never be a way to completely eliminate 100 percent of the risk associated with asbestos, simply because asbestos is something that is found in nature. Natural asbestos will always be present in the world, and it continues to be manufactured, although, under tight regulations.