Before we discuss about mesothelioma treatments it is important to an understanding of mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer of the lining of the lungs and abdomen caused by exposure to asbestos fibers. It takes 30 to 40 years for this type of cancer that occur after exposure to asbestos. It is important to treat this cancer in its early stages otherwise fatal. Several treatments of mesothelioma are surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
There are two types of surgery for treatment of mesothelioma, aggressive surgery and palliative procedures. Before performing any type of surgery, is necessary to check the heart and lungs working properly. Of the two types, aggressive surgery, also known as pneumonectomy, is complicated surgery performed on younger patients, who are good health and can withstand the surgery. Pneumonectomy involves removal of extra pleural membrane. The main objective of this mesothelioma treatment is to physically remove as much tumor as possible.
Palliative treatment processes are known as pleurectomy mesothelioma. It is done in the early stages of cancer. This process of mesothelioma treatment involves surgical removal of the pleura. However, the procedures involved to reduce and control symptoms rather than cure the disease. This surgery reduces the pain caused by the tumor mass and helps prevent the recurrence of pleural effusion. Complete tumor removal is not possible with this procedure.
Chemotherapy is a mesothelioma treatment method makes use of certain drugs combined to shrink the tumor. Although some patients show only partial success to this method, some combinations of chemotherapy drugs have been successful. Scientists have developed several new chemotherapy drugs for treatment of mesothelioma.
Radiation therapy is the mesothelioma treatment method that uses nuclear radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink the tumor. However, radiation therapy is an extremely difficult. Can damage healthy cells of heart, lungs and other vital organs surrounded by radiation dose. Double treatment includes radiation therapy and chemotherapy combined with surgery. This combination helps to kill the remaining tumor cells left after surgery and to relieve symptoms such as pain.
Mesothelioma treatments can be very expensive. However, patients suffering from mesothelioma and other asbestos based diseases can file lawsuits to recover medical expenses for damages, lost income, lost suffering, pain and earning capacity. The mesothelioma victims can take help of experts to locate asbestos lawyers accused, persons or companies responsible for causing asbestos exposure.
