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.