Potpourri Blog

Mesothelioma cancer affects either the lining of the abdominal cavity, the lining of the heart, or the lining of the lungs. It is a demanding cancer to recognize because the symptoms are shared with many diseases and illnesses.

Mesothelioma cancer comes about from exposure to the

asbestos. The incubation of mesothelioma cancer also makes recognition difficult. It can take up to fifty years after

exposure to asbestos for the mesothelioma cancer to

appear. Frequently the mesothelioma cancer has spread through the body before symptoms appear and a diagnosis ascertained. By the time symptoms are in evidence, the mesothelioma cancer has oftentimes

already advanced, sometimes to a severe degree, and treatment does little to assuage the patient.

There are several mesothelioma treatment option for those diagnosed with mesothelioma. A patient being treated for mesothelioma cancer must know the different stages the cancer can undertake, showing the extent of the disease. The staging system used for figuring out the stages of pleural mesothelioma cancer of the lung lining also determine the stages of peritoneal mesothelioma cancer of the abdominal lining and pericardial mesothelioma cancer of the heart lining.

In Stage I, malignant mesothelioma cancer cells grow and multiply on one layer of lining. This is the lining of the lungs, the lining of the abdomen, or the lining of the heart, depending on the type of mesothelioma cancer. If the lymph nodes remain disease free, the patient can usually get better through surgery. Mesothelioma survival rates are much higher if caught early.

In Stage II, the cancer takes aim at the esophagus, chest wall, heart, abdomen, or lungs. Fluid builds up between the membrane and lining. Common symptoms of Stage II include chest pain, cough, and shortness of breath. Sometimes the lymph nodes may enlarge in Stage II, but surgery may still be an option.

With Stage III, malignant mesothelioma cells spread to the affected organs. The lymph nodes swell. The patient may suffer pain near the affected organs. Treatments other than surgery apply.

Stage IV is the last, advanced, stage of the cancer called advancedmesothelioma cancer. Mesothelioma cancer cells penetrate the bloodstream and spread to other organs in the body. Some of the symptoms of mesothelioma are very similiar to symptoms of brain tumors so a close watch must be kept. Treatments other than surgery apply.

Physicians use x-rays, CAT scans, and an MRI to figure out the stage of mesothelioma cancer. Once ascertained, the best treatment can get underway. A large part of the treatment uses chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. Other treatments include pain management and psychological help. Treatment depends on the location of the tumor, the stage the cancer is in, how far it has spread, age, overall health, and how the mesothelioma has metastasized.

Disclaimer: It is critical to visit a physician to get help with mesothelioma treatment.