Over exposure to asbestos leads to a form of cancer called mesothelioma: In this type of cancer, malignant cells are developed in the protective lining which covers most of the internal organs, known as mesothelium. Normally, pleura, which is the outer lining of the lungs and internal chest wall is affected by dangerous form of cancer, though it may also occur in the peritoneum, the lining of the abdominal cavity and the pericardium, the sac protecting the heart.
It has been found that most of the victims of mesothelioma: have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles. Another option is that they might have got exposed to asbestos dust and fiber in some other ways. Even the family members of the workers are at risk of contracting the disease. Asbestos particles found in the clothes or hair of the workers is enough to throw all those who come in close contact, at the mercy of the disease. It should be noted that smokers are greatly under the risk of asbestos-induced cancer. Also smoking increases the seriousness of the disease.
The symptoms of this malicious disease are wide and varied. They include shortness of breath due to collection of fluid between the lung and the chest wall, chest wall pain, weight loss for no apparent reason, fever etc. Mostly, the disease is diagnosed when the patient goes for some other treatment. A chest X-ray or CT scan may give hints to make the physician suspicious and he may advise to go for a biopsy and microscopic examination, which confirm the worst fear.
Proper diagnosis as well as timely treatment of the disease is very difficult regarding the disease. The fact that the symptoms of this type of cancer are similar to those of other medical conditions confuses the doctors to a considerable extent. Another difficulty is that the symptoms appear very late and may even remain undetected for even 50 years. This proves to be the greatest hurdle in curing the disease. If the abnormality is detected timely, chances of survival are greatly increased.
The location of the cancer, the stage of the disease, the patient's general health and age are the basic factors which determine treatment for mesothelioma: Chemotherapy, radiation and surgery are the standard treatment options available for the patients. Doctors may combine these methods according to their discretion.
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