Mesothelioma
Symptoms
What
are the Symptoms of Mesothelioma?
The
symptoms of asbestos-related cancer can remain undetectable
for up to forty years after the initial exposure. Tell
tale symptoms include difficulty breathing, fatigue
and loss of weight, and chest or abdominal pain. Initial
mesothelioma symptoms often include coughing up blood
(hemoptysis), pain in swallowing (dysphagia), a continually
raspy voice, and/or abdominal swelling.
How
is Mesothelioma Detected?
Malignant
mesothelioma gradually causes a build up of
fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion) or the abdomen
(ascites). During a doctor visit, the physician
uses an abdominal or chest X-ray to detect for
this build up.
Testing
that shows high levels of CEA (carcinoembryonic antigen)
may indicate lung cancer instead of mesothelioma. In
order to diagnose lung cancer or mesothelioma, a tissue
sample is taken and examined under the microscope. In
either case, a CT (computed tomographic) scan visually
indicates the degree to which the tumor has spread to
other parts of the body.
How
is Mesothelioma Treated?
Malignant
mesothelioma has no definite cure. The typical course
of action involves utilizing a combination of therapies
in conjunction with the removal of the malignant tumor.
The complexity of the surgery to remove the mesothelioma
depends on the duration of exposure and the amount of
asbestos inhaled. The three most popular therapies use
in concert with surgery include:
- Chemotherapy:
This approach uses chemicals that have specific toxic
effects that try to destroy the spreading cells.
- Radiation
therapy: Involves high-energy X-rays that treat the
existence of cancerous cells.
- Photodynamic
therapy: Utilizes a special laser light that creates
a chemical reaction to remedy the affected cells.
- Newer
treatments include immunotherapy, vaccine treatment,
Gene Therapy, and experimental Chemotherapy (L-NDDP,
onconase).
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