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Early Diagnosis
Is Critical For Effective
Treatment of Mesothelioma
These days cancer is one of
the most fatal diseases. It does not choose it's
victims. Men and women alike,
old and young die of cancer. Mesothilioma is a rare form of
cancer that affects the
mesothelium, specifically the
Pleura (membrane that surrounds
the lungs) and the Peritoneum
(membrane surrounding the
abdomen). Both Pleural
Mesothelioma and Peritoneum
Mesothelioma are primarily
caused by the inhalation or
exposure to asbestos, an
incombustible fibrous mineral of
impure magnesium silicate used
in various industrial products.
About 30 to 50 per cent of the
total Mesothelioma cancer
patients had not been exposed to
asbestos, yet they have acquired
the disease. Cancer specialists
are continuing to study this rare kind
of cancer so as to provide the
public with clear and exact
information with regard to its
cause, nature and cure.
As with like many other
forms of cancer, Mesotheloma
has different stages. The
earliest stage is still curable
since only one layer of the
pleura is affected. Surgery is
the number one option for
patients with Stage I
Mesothelioma. The doctor removes
the part of the lining of the
lungs or chest (in case of
Pleural Mesothelioma) and the
lining of the abdomen (in case
of Peritoneal Mesothelioma). In
Stage II Mesothilioma, surgery
can still be executed although
some lymph nodes may have
already been infected by the
malignant Mesothelioma cancer
cells. The diaphragm may also be
removed and in severe cases, the Mesothelioma patient has to
sacrifice one of his lungs.
Usually, surgery
comes with systemic treatments,
which include radiotherapy and
chemotherapy. Through
radiotherapy, Mesotyelioma
cancer cells are killed;
however, only the cells in the
treated area die. High energy
rays used in radiotherapy or
radiation therapy may either
come from an external machine or
from thin plastic tubes
positioned into the tissues
where Mesothelioma
cancer-stricken cells are found.
Inside the plastic tubes are
radiation-emitting materials
that kill the malignant cells.
The use of an external machine
is called external radiation
therapy while the other is
called internal radiation
therapy. Also, a radioactive
substance such as radio labeled
monoclonal antibody is
circulated around the body
during radiotherapy.
Chemotherapy is
the use of anti-cancer drugs to
kill the malignant cells. In
treating Mesotyelioma, the
anti-cancer drugs are usually
given to the patient through
intravenous injections (within
the vein). Oncologists are still
studying the possibility of
treating Mesothilioma through
intra cavitary chemotherapy
(within the chest or abdomen).
Some Mesotheloma patients also
undergo Photodynamic therapy, a
kind of cancer therapy that
combines the use of drug (photo sensitizer)
with a specific kind of light.
The photosensitizing agent when
exposed to the light produce
oxygen that destroys nearby
malignant cancer cells. The drug
is injected into the bloodstream
and is absorbed by the cells.
In order to
relieve the symptoms of
Mesothelioma such as the pain in
the chest or abdomen due to the
build up of fluid, a physician
drains the fluid by using a
needle. The procedure is known
as thoracentesis (removal of
fluid in the chest) or
paracentesis (removal of the
fluid in the abdomen). To
prevent further accumulation of
the lubricating fluid in the
membranes of the chest or
abdomen, drugs are given through
a tube in the affected organ.
Although the
said treatments to
malignant Mesothelioma
have been proven effective,
chance of recovery and survival
still depends on the size or
extent of the cancer. Chances
are higher when Mesothilioma is
still in its early stages.
Surgery is only advisable
up to the second stage of the Mesotheloma cancer wherein only
one part or smaller portions of
the membranes are affected. A
patient diagnosed with stage IV
Mesothelioma (diffuse
Mesothelioma) has only about
4-24 months to live.
Furthermore, the age of the
patient and his general health
condition is also crucial to his
recovery. Older patients do not
respond well to certain cancer
treatments such as surgery
because their tissues, organs
and other body parts are more
delicate.
PAIN AND PAIN
MANAGEMENT
Mesothelioma
patients and their families
often
times fear physical pain as much
as the disease itself. It is
important to understand,
however, that most cancer pain
can be controlled. Nine out of
ten cancer patients will find
relief by using a combination of
medications. No patient should
have to deal with unmanaged
pain.
Causes of Cancer
Pain
Pain
from the tumor. Most
cancer pain occurs when
a tumor presses on bone,
nerves, or body organs,
and may vary according
to location, (i.e., a
small tumor pressing on
a nerve or vital organ
may cause severe pain,
while a larger tumor
elsewhere may cause
little discomfort.)
Pain
from cancer treatment.
Cancer treatments such
as surgery,
chemotherapy, and
radiation may also cause
pain. Painful conditions
are more likely to occur
in patients whose immune
system has been
suppressed as a result
of these therapies.
Pain
from other causes. Like
everyone else, cancer
patients have pain that
has no relationship to
their illness.
Headaches, muscles
strains, or other aches
and pains associated
with arthritis, kidney
stones, etc., may also cause
pain. These
conditions can normally
be treated along with
cancer pain.
Each patient's
pain is unique. Therefore, it is
important that each individual
have a treatment plan that
addresses his/her individual
needs. The patient and his/her
doctor must work together to
reduce unnecessary pain and
improve quality of life
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