Posts Tagged ‘Cancer Mesothelioma’

Lung mesothelioma is a mortal type of cancer resulting from the pleural mesothelium, which is the protective lining of the lungs, getting infected by asbestos fibers. The cancer is rare and affects people who had the misfortune to be in constant contact with asbestos at either their workplaces or homes. In medical terms, the disease is described as a rare cancerous development affecting the mesothelial tissues that surrounds and protects our vital organs. Three different types of this cancer have been identified and are named as the pleural, peritoneal and pericardial mesothelioma according to the area of our body they inhabit.

Mesothelium is a protective membrane found around vital organs like abdomen, lungs and heart. It helps in proper functioning of the organs too, albeit indirectly. Asbestos particles, after entering this lining, cause abnormal cell function, causing cancerous growths. In most incidents, it takes decades for the disease to show up and this prolonged latency is a limiting and disruptive factor affecting diagnosis and treatment.

Lung cancer and lung mesothelioma are two entirely different types of cancers. The former attacks the inside of the lung while the latter its protective lining. The prognosis of the disease is very poor and most patients die within 24 months after diagnosis. As in the case of any other cancer, this kind is also classified into four depending on its severity. Timely detection has saved many patients, but it never materializes in most cases because the disease attacks when it is not at all expected.

Exposure to asbestos is the villain in the case. The silicate mineral was considered a wonder material earlier due to its multifaceted properties like resistance to heat and electric shock, capability to withstand chemical reactions etc and was used to manufacture a wide range of products like insulation products, construction material etc. But workers who inhaled the toxic air containing asbestos suffered and are suffering the adverse erects of asbestos exposure.

The emphasis these days is to employ proper precautions while handing the material and to provide ample compensation to those who suffered for no fault of theirs. In addition, experiments and field trials are on to find better cure for lung mesothelioma because cure from existing therapies have not been at desired levels.

Cancer mesothelioma affects the protective lining of our internal organs called mesothelium and is a fatal disease. It is usually acquired as a result of prolonged contact with asbestos. Many workers have lost their lives and their families are shattered because of this disease. Asbestos has been banned at workplaces, though it has not produced many results. The reason behind this is that mesothelioma cancer develops only many years after the person is exposed to asbestos.

All types of mesothelioma, ie, the pleural, peritoneal and pericardial are deadly. The disease is diagnosed after many years of asbestos exposure making it difficult for the hapless victims to get compensation from the employers. It also hinders the treatment process.

Apart from banning the use of asbestos in work places by the government, the law gives the victim the right to claim strict compensation measures. This comes as a boon for the families of the victims which would be facing great financial crunches. Researches are going on to find better treatment methods to tackle cancer mesothelioma.

The early symptoms of the disease are fatigue, fever, wheezing etc. The patient is made to go through a long series of medications including chemotherapy once diagnosed with the disease. Chemotherapy is extremely painful with many side effects like nausea, fever, rashes, sores, fatigue, diarrhea or constipation etc. This can make the life of the patients extremely miserable. Surgery and radiotherapy are also employed as part of the treatment.

Angiogenesis, photodynamic therapy, gene therapy, immunotherapy etc are some of the modern treatment measures providing a new hope to the patients. New devices are invented for the early detection of the dreadful disease. Palliative care is also becoming popular these days, which focuses on reducing the pain the patient has to suffer.

Dealing with cancer mesothelioma requires the joint efforts of medical professionals, oncology social workers, nutritionists and psychologists. The care and concern shown by these people can uplift the morale of the patients and their relatives. Also this tender loving care can instill a new hope in them to live.

Asbestos cancer mesothelioma is a form of cancer affecting the mesothelium, is caused by prolonged asbestos exposure. Asbestos, a naturally occurring silicate mineral, contain thin fibrous crystals. The material has the ability to tolerate heat, endure chemical reactions, soak up sound, is compliant and has insulation properties. These features had resulted in the mineral being put to extensive application for centuries without any restrain or safeguards. The harmful properties of the mineral were proved only in the second half of the twentieth century and restrictions and guidelines were put into practice. In addition to mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis are also caused sometimes due to asbestos exposure.

Asbestos workers’ fatality had come into notice even in the nineteenth century but no practical actions were taken to protect people from asbestos contamination. Manufacturers continued to use the material without restrictions thereby subjecting their employees to lung cancer and mesothelioma.

The first half of the last century saw a quantum jump in the use of the material and the two great wars and industrial revolutions in many parts of the world added to the requirement of asbestos. Asbestos cancer mesothelioma, being an illness that lies asleep for many years before rearing up, is affecting veterans of that period even now. But once the symptoms arrive and the cancer is detected, it usually would be too late for successful treatment.

Some laws governing the use of asbestos and outright ban of some types of asbestos has reduced chances of asbestos cancer mesothelioma drastically. Employees who handle asbestos are given protective masks and cloth to wear and made to bathe and change cloths before leaving the workplace. But for those patients already under the influence of the disease, insistent treatment strategies and litigations for mesothelioma compensation are the only line of action left.

Mesothelioma treatment entails traditional treatments like surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. These are sometimes combined in order to find a long-lasting solution to asbestos cancer mesothelioma. Compensation money extracted from the erring employer would take care of financial difficulties arising by way of loss of income and medical expenses. Researches and experiments to find better treatment strategies are also underway.