Mesothelioma Symptoms
and Diagnosis:
On the Internet you can find much information on this topic, but I take the trouble to read carefully the information of The Mesothelioma Cancer Center and found the most appropriate to share with you, I hope to take it and you'll be of much benefit if you or someone in your family have the disease.
Mesothelioma is difficult to treat, largely due
to the fact that it remains latent in the body for up to five decades and is
usually not diagnosed until its late stages. Also, diagnosis may be difficult
due to the non-specific nature of most mesothelioma symptoms, which often
resemble symptoms of less serious diseases.
The process for diagnosis usually begins with a
compilation of the patient’s full medical and work history including any
exposure to asbestos. A medical examination is performed and if a problem is
suspected, one or more diagnostic tests are ordered. These typically include
medical imaging tests such as x-ray or CT and MRI scans, as well as biopsy
procedures that test samples of fluid and tissue for the presence of cancer cells.
Diagnostic tests are also used to determine how far the cancer has advanced and
whether it has spread to other locations in the body.
Mesothelioma Treatment
Mesothelioma treatments can be divided into two
main categories: curative treatments and palliative treatments. Curative
treatments are those carried out in an attempt to remove all cancer cells and
cure the disease. Palliative treatments are designed to ease pain and make a
patient more comfortable.
Treatments for mesothelioma include
conventional treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy,
as well as experimental procedures, including immunotherapy and gene therapy.
Generally, a patient with mesothelioma will
receive more than one type of conventional treatment. For example, he or she
may undergo surgery to remove the bulk of cancerous tissue, and then receive chemotherapy
or radiation therapy to kill any remaining cancer cells. Experimental
treatments are typically available only to patients who agree to enter clinical
trials. In these cases, patients must fit certain criteria to be eligible.
Legal Issues
The dangers of asbestos exposure were known
long before any efforts were made to protect workers. Many thousands of
American workers were exposed to asbestos during the 20th century, with no
indication as to the risks that they were facing.
Companies that produced asbestos-containing
products or used these products on a daily basis are liable for their
negligence in failing to protect their workers. If you or a loved one has
developed mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease as a result of
asbestos exposure, it’s important to know that you can talk to an attorney about
seeking compensation for pain and suffering as well as reimbursement for
medical expenses and lost income.
Mesothelioma — Symptoms — Overview
Mesothelioma has earned a reputation as a cancer that is very difficult to treat effectively. This reputation is partly due to the fact that in its early stages, mesothelioma symptoms are quite non-specific, making early diagnosis quite difficult. In addition, the disease usually lays dormant for up to five decades, and symptoms don’t appear until the cancer has reached its late stages.
Mesothelioma — Diagnosis
"The first step
Mesothelioma — Symptoms — Overview
Mesothelioma has earned a reputation as a cancer that is very difficult to treat effectively. This reputation is partly due to the fact that in its early stages, mesothelioma symptoms are quite non-specific, making early diagnosis quite difficult. In addition, the disease usually lays dormant for up to five decades, and symptoms don’t appear until the cancer has reached its late stages.
Non-Specificity of
Mesothelioma Symptoms
The first symptoms of mesothelioma are often
similar to symptoms of other diseases that are much less serious. For example,
early symptoms of pleural mesothelioma (which develops in the pleural lining of
the lungs) often resemble symptoms of influenza or pneumonia. Similarly,
symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma (which develops in the pericardial lining
of the heart) are similar to symptoms of other cardiac conditions.
If you have a history of asbestos exposure and
experience any of the following symptoms, it is best to seek immediate medical
advice. Also, in the interest of early detection, those who know they were
exposed but
have not yet exhibited symptoms should undergo
regular chest X-rays or pulmonary function tests to monitor any adverse affects
of asbestos inhalation.
Symptoms — Pleural
Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is the most common form of the cancer. Approximately two-thirds of
mesothelioma cases originate in the pleural lining of the
lungs. Known symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include:
• Persistent dry or raspy cough (typically
nonproductive, meaning there is little or no phlegm)
• Coughing up blood
• Difficulty in swallowing
• Night sweats or fever
• Unexplained weight loss of 10% or more
• Fatigue
• Persistent pain in the chest or rib area or painful
breathing
• Shortness of breath that occurs even when at
rest
• The appearance of lumps under the skin on the
chest
Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma occur as a
result of thickening of the pleural membrane and the build-up of fluid between
membrane layers. Tissue thickening and fluid build-up put pressure on the
lungs, leading to
reduced respiratory function.
Mesothelioma — Diagnosis
"The first step
involved in diagnosis
is providing a full
and accurate medical
history to your
doctor."Mesothelioma is a serious cancer that advances quickly and aggressively. Historically, diagnosis of this disease does not happen until it reaches the later stages. This occurs because mesothelioma has a very long latency period. In a typical case, at least two to three decades elapse between asbestos exposure and the onset of the first symptoms of mesothelioma. In some cases, 50 or more years may pass before symptoms appear.
The second reason that mesothelioma is so difficult to diagnose is that the early symptoms and warning signs of the disease are highly non-specific and very often resemble the symptoms of other conditions that are much less serious. For example, the early symptoms of pleural mesothelioma may be mistaken for influenza or pneumonia and further testing may be required to recognize that it is indeed something more serious.
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Remember that if you have this disease you can contact the The Mesothelioma Cancer Center the phone number is 1-800-590-6512 , they can help much more
God bless
JOHNY JARAMILLO
