Mesothelioma Cancer Treatment Information
Though asbestos was long considered a miracle mineral, doctors and others have known for literally centuries that it could cause serious medical problems. Even Pliny the Elder, a philosopher and naturalist of first century Rome, noticed that slaves working in asbestos mines were always sick or were dying at a young age. And though little credence was given to his observations, his suspicions that asbestos was toxic were proven centuries later when modern-day doctors announced that asbestos fibers were causing severe pulmonary problems for those who worked with the mineral on a regular basis. These problems included mesothelioma, an asbestos cancer that is one of the most aggressive forms of the disease. What is Mesothelioma? Simply put, mesothelioma is a form of cancer caused by inhalation of dangerous asbestos fibers. When asbestos is old or damaged, it breaks up, which causes thin, sharp fibers to become airborne. These fibers can be inhaled by anyone in the vicinity of the contaminated air and the fibers may, in turn, lodge in the chest area, unable to be expelled. In some cases, the fibers cause scarring of the lungs and the development of a disease called asbestosis. In other instances, however, these fibers are imbedded in the lining of the lung, heart, or abdomen (the mesothelium) and later develop into tumors. These cancerous tumors are known as mesothelioma. Mesothelioma can take as long as 50 years to develop as it has a long "latency" period. That means the disease remains dormant for up to several decades. Eventually, symptoms develop, including shortness of breath, chest pain, fatigue, coughing, fluid in the chest, and loss of appetite. As these symptoms may be indicative of a number of diseases, patients who worked with asbestos should be sure to tell their doctor about their exposure, making diagnosis easier and avoiding a lot of costly tests. Who is at Risk? Certain people are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma than others. Of course, those who worked with the mineral on a regular basis are most likely to develop this asbestos cancer. Though much mesothelioma information has been available for decades, industries that made regular use of the mineral rarely shared this information with their employees. The result has been generations of individuals with asbestos-related diseases. Those trades most affected have historically been:
Anyone who worked in these industries, especially prior to 1980, should be periodically tested for the presence of mesothelioma, particularly if typical symptoms arise. Doctors can perform lung function tests, x-rays, and other procedures that may indicate the presence of mesothelioma. Also, a new blood test, called the MesoMark, has proven helpful in diagnosing mesothelioma at an earlier stage. People who are candidates for the disease should inquire about this easy-to-perform blood test which, if positive, could result in earlier treatment and a longer lifespan. How is Mesothelioma Treated? Mesothelioma treatment is much like other cancer treatments. Unfortunately, however, mesothelioma is a tough cancer to fight and, historically, conventional treatments developed thus far have done little to combat the disease. However, new drugs are being developed regularly in the fight against this very aggressive and tough-to-beat cancer and hope is growing. Usually, mesothelioma is not diagnosed until it has reached the later stages of the disease - usually Stage 3 or 4. By this time, surgery is often not an option, though a handful of people will be candidates for tumor removal or removal of the affected lung. In most cases, however, chemotherapy and/or radiation are suggested. Chemotherapy drugs offer a slightly increased life span and may be helpful in relieving some of the symptoms of the disease. Currently, the most successful chemo drug in the fight against mesothelioma is Alimta, the only FDA-approved drug specifically for mesothelioma. When used in tandem with another chemo drug, usually a platinum agent like cisplatin, it has demonstrated some success. Radiation therapy may be recommended as well, but this mesothelioma treatment generally does not prolong a patient's life. It is used more for palliative purposes - to keep the patient comfortable and lessen the severity of some of the symptoms of the disease. In addition, the patient's oncologist might recommend other palliative procedures such as a thoracentesis, which drains fluid from the lungs and makes breathing easier and less painful. Some patients also choose to try alternative treatments, such as meditation, massage, yoga, and acupuncture. Living with Mesothelioma Meso is a very debilitating disease and once someone is diagnosed with it, life will change. Patients should be prepared to stop working if and when it's necessary and may have to rely on others to help with everyday tasks. It may also be necessary to begin thinking about end of life issues such as plans for long-term care, making a will, and securing a future for those left behind. last updated May 26, 2010 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
