MALIGNANT MESOTHELIOMA

MALIGNANT MESOTHELIOMA

Malignant mesothelioma is a deadly type of cancer that affects the mesothelium, or the thin layer of tissue that provides a protective surface on most of our internal organs. Treatments to manage this condition are available, but most individuals with this condition are impossible to cure.

TYPES

Mesothelioma is classified into different types, depending on its affected area. These include:

  • Pleural Mesothelioma: This type is the most common one, which takes place in the pleura, or the mesothelium that protects the lungs.
  • Peritoneal Mesothelioma: This type affects the peritoneum or the lining in the abdomen.
  • Pericardial Mesothelioma: This is the rarest form of mesothelioma, which affects the pericardium or the lining of the heart.

SYMPTOMS

Symptoms for malignant mesothelioma vary, depending on its type. Some of these include:

Pleural Mesothelioma

  • Sudden and unexplained weight loss
  • Pain in the chest
  • Shortness of breath
  • Painful coughing
  • Unusual lumps on the chest

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

  • Nausea
  • Stomach pain
  • Swelling of the abdomen
  • Unexplained weight loss

DIAGNOSIS

The procedure for diagnosis varies, depending on the type of mesothelioma you have. Nevertheless, in order to diagnose your condition, your doctor will administer a physical examination to look for odd markers or see if you have lumps on possible affected areas. Imaging tests, such as chest x-ray and CT scans, may also be requested. 

Aside from those, a biopsy may also be conducted. This test is the only procedure that can accurately tell whether you have malignant mesothelioma or not. A tissue sample is extracted from you and analyzed under a microscope to see whether you have this condition and what type it is. By identifying the type of mesothelioma you have, your doctor can then determine the type of treatment plan for you.

TREATMENT

Since mesothelioma often progresses rapidly and is diagnosed at its advanced stages, curing some people is difficult and almost impossible. However, some treatment procedures may be able to manage your condition and slow down its development.

Furthermore, treatment for malignant mesothelioma may include:

  • Chemotherapy
  • Surgery
  • Radiation therapy
  • Targeted therapy
  • Immunotherapy

In some cases, alternative medicines are also utilized to manage and control the symptoms. However, before taking any treatment, make sure to carefully discuss it with your doctor first.

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