Mesothelioma is a very uncommon form of a cancer which is mainly caused when one is exposed to asbestos. One of the common types of the Mesothelioma is the Pleural Mesothelioma and it is a cancer that is developed in the Mesothelioma cells that make up the mesothelium. It is membrane that lines many of the bodys organs and cavities.
The Pleural Mesothelioma cancer, the cancer is developed in the lining of the lungs which is known as the pleura or pleural membrane. About two third of the pleural Mesothelioma cases are diagnosed. The Pleural Mesothelioma is developed in one layer but it can metastasize or spread to the other layer. All types of Mesothelioma are not easily diagnosis in the initial stage as soon as one is exposed to asbestos.
The pleural Mesothelioma is caused due to exposure to asbestos as all the Mesothelioma is developed. It is developed when the toxic asbestos fibers become trapped in the spaces between the mesothelial cells. Once inside the body, the asbestos fibers cause cancerous cells to divide abnormally. This development results in the thickening of the pleural membrane layers and mesothelial cells which helps in the building up of the fluid and this is known as pleural effusion.
A greater chance of developing Mesothelioma was found among shipyard workers and among people working in asbestos mills and mines, producers of asbestos products, workers inside the heating and construction industries and other trades people.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have set limits to the exposure to asbestos in the workplace. They have also created a principle for engineering controls and respirators, protective clothing, exposure monitoring, hygiene facilities and practices, warning signs, labelling, record keeping and medical exams. The friends and family of the person who live with asbestos workers have a greater chance of developing Mesothelioma and other asbestos related diseases.
The risk of developing Mesothelioma is the result of exposure to asbestos dust which is brought home within the clothing and hair of asbestos workers. It is therefore advisable to that a asbestos worker should take a shower and change their clothing before leaving the workplace. Many public and domestic building which were built before the banning of asbestos materials can always contain asbestos within them. Those performing renovation works or do-it-yourself projects may expose themselves to asbestos dust.
The clinical research to treat malignant Mesothelioma is very active and although so far no treatment has so far been successful and there are vast treatments available for the disease. There are three types of treatments used to treat malignant Mesothelioma which include: surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
The surgery for malignant Mesothelioma is divided into a number of sub-classes and is specially designed to limit the disease for individuals with particular strains of the disease. The surgical procedure pleurodesis is a distinct technique as it employs a blend of chemicals to create an intentional scar between the layers of the pleura.
The medical technique used to fight the development of malignant Mesothelioma is radiation. Radiation therapy uses the basic technology as other forms of medical radiation as it employs high energy x-rays to kill cancer cells.
The Chemotherapy uses the drugs which target cancer cells and stop them from dividing and thus helps in preventing their growth. In systemic chemotherapy, the drug can be taken by mouth or injected. The goal is to have it reach cancer cells by means of the bodys own blood circulation system.
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