Mesothelioma ranks high among the most potent diseases affecting mankind today. The cancer, commonly known as mesothelioma disease, is caused by inhaled asbestos fibers. Most patients do not survive more than two years after diagnosis. The disease is very peculiar in that it takes several decades to develop and show its first symptoms. This very reason impairs timely detection and proper treatment.

Asbestos, a widely used mineral in industries, is very toxic. The floating fibers, once inhaled, settle in the mesothelium, which is a protective membrane that sheaths the cavities of our vital organs. These particles make the cells of the lining to divide without any order and the excess fluid formed due to this thickens the sidewalls of the organs, thereby impairing their proper functioning.

Mesothelioma disease is classified into three according to the areas of our body they occur. While the pleural mesothelioma affects the lung cavities, the peritoneal kind targets the abdominal cavities. The pericardial, which is the most potent among these, attacks the cavities of the heart.

At the present time, there is no complete cure for mesothelioma disease. But life span can be increased a little further with traditional therapies like surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. The late diagnosis due to the delayed appearance of symptoms greatly influences the treatment procedure from being cent percent effective. In most of the cases the symptoms appear as the cancer reaches the final stages. If the diagnosis happens early, by any means there is possibility that the disease can be removed and the patient enjoys a healthy long life.

It is advisable for all those who have worked in asbestos factories or pits and their relative to undergo periodic tests to root out the fear of cancer. Breathing problems, cough and fever are the common symptoms of the disease. But many of the cancer centers are not prepared to deal with mesothelioma disease. In such a situation, the patients should approach only doctors who are experts in treating the disease. Otherwise it would hamper an early diagnosis, which finally delays the treatment reducing the chances of a cure or survival.

This entry was posted on Friday, October 9th, 2009 at 6:44 am and is filed under Cancer. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.