Early Diagnosis Is Critical For Effective Treatment of
Mesothelioma
Cancer is one of the most fatal diseases nowadays. It doesn't
choose its victims. Men and women alike, old and young die of
cancer. Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that affects the
mesothelium, specifically the Pleura (membrane that surrounds
the lungs) and the Peritoneum (membrane surrounding the
abdomen). Both Pleural Mesothelioma and Peritoneum Mesothelioma
are primarily caused by the inhalation or exposure to asbestos,
an incombustible fibrous mineral of impure magnesium silicate
used in various industrial products. About 30 to 50 per cent of
the total Mesothelioma cancer patients had not been exposed to
asbestos, yet they have acquired the disease. Cancer specialists
continue to study this rare kind of cancer so as to provide the
public clear and exact information with regard to its cause,
nature and cure.
Like many other forms of cancer, Mesothelioma has different
stages. The earliest stage is still curable since only one layer
of the pleura is affected. Surgery is the number one option for
patients with Stage I Mesothelioma. The doctor removes the part
of the lining of the lungs or chest (in case of Pleural
Mesothelioma) and the lining of the abdomen (in case of
Peritoneal Mesothelioma). In Stage II Mesothelioma, surgery can
still be executed although some lymph nodes may have already
been infected by the malignant Mesothelioma cancer cells. The
diaphragm may also be removed; in severe cases, the Mesothelioma
patient has to sacrifice one of his lungs.
Usually, surgery comes with systemic treatments, which include
radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Through radiotherapy,
Mesothelioma cancer cells are killed; however, only the cells in
the treated area die. High energy rays used in radiotherapy or
radiation therapy may either come from an external machine or
from thin plastic tubes positioned into the tissues where
Mesothelioma cancer-stricken cells are found. Inside the plastic
tubes are radiation-emitting materials that kill the malignant
cells. The use of an external machine is called external
radiation therapy while the other is called internal radiation
therapy. Also, a radioactive substance such as radiolabeled
monoclonal antibody is circulated around the body during
radiotherapy.
Chemotherapy is the use of anti-cancer drugs to kill the
malignant cells. In treating Mesothelioma, the anti-cancer drugs
are usually given to the patient through intravenous injection
(within the vein). Oncologists are still studying the
possibility of treating Mesothelioma through intracavitary
chemotherapy (within the chest or abdomen). Some Mesothelioma
patients also undergo Photodynamic therapy, a kind of cancer
therapy that combines the use of drug (photosensitizer) with a
specific kind of light. The photosensitizing agent when exposed
to the light produce oxygen that destroys nearby malignant
cancer cells. The drug is injected into the bloodstream and is
absorbed by the cells.
In order to relieve the symptoms of Mesothelioma such as the
pain in the chest or abdomen due to the build up of fluid, a
physician drains the fluid by using a needle. The procedure is
known as thoracentesis (removal of fluid in the chest) or
paracentesis (removal of the fluid in the abdomen). To prevent
further accumulation of the lubricating fluid in the membranes
of the chest or abdomen, drugs are given through a tube in the
affected organ.
Although the said treatments to Mesothelioma have been proven
effective, chance of recovery and survival still depends on the
size or extent of the cancer. Chances are higher when
Mesothelioma is still in its early stages. Surgery is only
advisable only up to the second stage of the Mesothelioma cancer
wherein only one part or smaller portions of the membranes are
affected. A patient diagnosed with stage IV Mesothelioma
(diffuse Mesothelioma) has only about 4-24 months to live.
Furthermore, the age of the patient and his general health
condition is also crucial to his recovery. Older patients do not
respond well to certain cancer treatments such as surgery
because their tissues, organs and other body parts are more
delicate.