Treatment of Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a cancer that attacks the chest cavity and the pleura of the lungs. There can be cancerous cells in these locations, tumors (tight masses of cancerous cells), or both. While it is not from smoking directly it can be exacerbated by smoking and by second hand smoke. It will increase the chances of getting mesothelioma if the smoker is around asbestos. Musical great Warren Zevon (“Lawyers, Guns, and Money”) died from this type of cancer as well as the action hero Steve McQueen (“Bullett”).
Early Signs of Mesothelioma
While symptoms don’t commence being seen until far after much exposure, these are the early signs of the condition.
- Shortness of breath
- Coughing or wheezing
- Coughing up blood
- Fatigue and weakness
- Chest pain
These show that the disease is still in the pleural lung region and has not metastasized.
Later Signs of Mesothelioma
These are some of the later stages of the symptoms of mesothelioma.
- Weight loss
- Bowel difficulties
- Stomach mass and pain
These symptoms show that the condition has spread into the abdomen and lower station.
Other Symptoms of Mesothelioma
Other signs can be fever, jaundice, blood clots, organ bleeds, and fluid buildup (edema) in organs and lungs. If any of these signs and symptoms are present in you, see a healthcare provider immediately for screening. The earlier that mesothelioma is found, the better the chances for survival and higher quality of life.
Treatment Options for Mesothelioma
There are four basic treatment options available for those with mesothelioma lung cancer. These are surgery, radation, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. Depending which one is right for you and your cancer is up to your doctor and you.
Surgery will involve the lining of the chest wall and lungs be removed.
Radiation will usually be done with chemo to take out cancer cells that are in the lung area and chest wall. However, just radiation alone has not been shown to work as well.
Chemotherapy will have the most side effects but will increase the lung function and the patient’s quality of life with this particular lung cancer of mesothelioma.
Immunotherapy will have many side effects as well, but it will try to use the body’s own immune response to deal with the invading cancer cells.
Mesothelioma Support
Here are two places to get information and support after a mesothelioma diagnosis.
Daily Strength http://www.dailystrength.org/c/Mesothelioma/support-group
Mesothelioma Center Befriend listing http://www.mesotheliomacenter.org/support/mesothelioma-support.php
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Filed under Mesothelioma Prognosis by on Jul 19th, 2010. 