The TV has lawyer commercials on all the time, "If you or a loved one has Mesothelioma." But what is it? Hopefully this article will help you understand. More attention is being called to it right now, as Merlin Olsen succumbed to it Thursday after a year long battle.
Pleural Malignant Mesothelioma Definition
There is a tissue that covers your lungs (among other organs) called the mesothelium. This lining actually produces lubrication for your organs to move, say during breathing. When this rare cancer develops of this lining it is called Pleural Malignant Mesothelioma. For a map with statistics on age and area, you can see it at this CDC site.
Pleural Malignant Mesothelioma Causes
Asbestos is the main cause for Mesothelioma. When a person breathes in the Asbestos, it damages the mesothelium lining and causes changes in the cells. However, it could take up to thirty years post exposure before Mesothelioma develops. This is a proven way that one can get Mesothelioma.
There is some speculation that exposure to the virus SV40 could possibly also be linked to Mesothelioma. Researchers have found SV40 cells in Mesothelioma patients, but it is important to keep in mind, they also have done so in healthy people.
Pleural Malignant Mesothelioma Symptoms
The symptoms of Mesothelioma are those which can easily be dismissed as something far less serious at first, and oftentimes goes overlooked. Some may think they have the flu. They are as follows:
CoughFeverSweatingFatigueHoarsenessOther symptoms are easily seen as a real problem and are as follows:
Pain in the side of the chestShortness of breathWeight lossTrouble swallowingPleural Malignant Mesothelioma Treatments
It is very difficult to treat Mesothelioma. If caught still early, say stage one or two, sometimes surgery can be performed to remove the cancer. Because of the area it is in, treatment by surgery is very difficult. Just as with other cancers, radiation and chemotherapy are options chosen by the specialists.
The patient is spoken to by their oncologist about what stage they are in and how this will effect treatment. The very hard decision is then made to try to treat the cancer, or to base treatment on comfort of the patient.
Pleural Malignant Mesothelioma Outlook
Unfortunately, Mesothelioma is a very hard cancer to treat. Patients are usually told they have a year to live. With new research, there are more and more Mesothelioma survivors past that one year outlook. The five year survival rate is a mere 9%.
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