11:33 p.m. - 2010-01-21
Early Signs and Symptoms of Pleural Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma, a kind of cancer caused usually by breathing asbestos filled air for lengthy periods, is scientifically divided into 3 types. Pleural mesothelioma is the most typical of these three and accounts for almost 70 5 % of all reported cases. The malignant loose asbestos fibers get accumulated in the protective surface of our internal organs called the mesothelium and slowly retard its cells and thereby, its functioning. Pleural mesothelioma especially is affecting the protective lining around lungs and internal chest wall, which is named pleura.
The pleura consists of one which covers the chest wall called parietal pleura and another which covers the lungs known as visceral pleura. The easy expansion and contraction of lungs is possible because of a fluid present between these two linings. Asbestos which is inhaled enters into the minute passages of the lungs and then the pleura. The consequence is the formation of cancerous cells, due to a chemical reaction which the medical world still cannot explain. The pleura lining becomes thicker and thicker as the cells start dividing unnaturally. Excess fluid also gets accumulated. Breathing process is reduced by the thickening of the pleura resulting in breathlessness.
Other than shortness of breath which is the first symptom the patient suffers from chest pain, weight loss and night sweats. The severity of the disease will increase with the number of years a person is exposed to asbestos. After the patient is exposed to the malicious asbestos it may take years for the symptoms to appear. There is also the possibility of wrong diagnosis in the case of this disease. This may add to the severity of the condition. If the symptoms appear in a person who has been in contact with asbestos, it is advisable to consult a mesothelioma specialist immediately.
There are traditional treatment methods like radiation therapy, chemotherapy and surgery available for the disease. But these methods are not completely successful. The five different surgical treatment followed is intra-operative photodynamic therapy, immunotherapy and gene therapy.
Chemo is the commonly accepted medicated treatment. Usage of high energy gamma rays, X-rays or neutrons is concerned in radiation treatment. Other options like intra-operative photodynamic therapy, immunotherapy and gene treatment are also resorted. Actually the final success will rely upon the determination of the patient and the level of pleural mesothelioma infection.
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