In every area of a person's body, cells are multiplying. This is particularly the case in the stomach, lungs and heart, as these organs are essential to an individual's survival. If something goes wrong with their cell development, mesothelioma may develop. When this happens, sufferers develop malignant tumors in the affected area. Most will experience these problems within their lungs, as this is the most common site of attack.
The reason why mesothelioma occurs is because of overexposure to asbestos. When this substance gets into a person's body, they trigger a malignant response by accumulating fluid in the cells. Then, over a long period of time, tumors develop. A patient may not know they have the disease until several years after their initial exposure. Sometimes, however, there are occasions when a person's genes cause them to develop the disease weeks or months after exposure.
In either case, the symptoms may go unnoticed in its beginning stages. In fact, most patients do not even know they have it until they start developing a severe cough. Even then, many might get misdiagnosed with colds or allergies. Only doctors who are experienced with mesothelioma will conduct further tests for the disease.
Most of the tests for mesothelioma are quite simple. The doctor will perform a series of scans and X-Rays to see what is going on in the patient's lungs. If they notice mesothelioma tumors, they will form a treatment plan based on the tumors' size and location.
If there are multiple tumors in a variety of areas, chemotherapy may be used to eradicate them. In other situations, a doctor might prefer surgery. If the mesothelioma has not spread as much, pleurodosis might be effective. This is a procedure where the extra fluid is removed from the lungs. It is less dangerous than the extraplueral pneumonectomy. During this procedure, the diaphragm, pleura and tumors are removed. The diaphragm and pleura are later replaced, so a person can breathe easier with what remains of their lungs.
In terms of drug treatment, doctors may prescribe Carboplatin, Alimoto and other cancer-killing agents. In less extreme cases, these drugs can be used by themselves. However, usually the drugs are given to help bolster chemotherapy. As medical science advances, it may be possible to use these drugs with advanced mesothelioma. Ranpirnase is one drug that shows such promise. Working through special enzymes, this drug has done wonders in clinical studies. True, it is still not effective with the most severe cases of mesothelioma, but it does give hope to the medical community.
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