Mesothelioma Surgery
The pleural Mesothelioma is a cancerous tumor involving the mesothelial cells that make up the pleura or lining outside the lungs and inside of the ribs. It can also involve the heart and abdomen. Pleural Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos fibers, including chrysotile, amosite, crocidolite, or have had twenty years or more before the disease becomes evident. These fibers are ingested the body through breathing or swallowing. Pleural Mesothelioma is the most common type of mesothelioma, which represents about 75% of cases.
Plural types of mesothelioma
"Located benign and" The Mesothelioma is not life threatening and may be removed by surgery.
 "diffuse and malignant" Mesothelioma is a cancer that usually leads to death within one year after diagnosis.
Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma
Chest wall Breast, pleural effusion, or fluid surrounding the lungs, shortness of breath, weight loss, tiredness or anemia, wheezing, hoarseness, or cough and blood in the sputum (fluid) coughed up. Patients may develop tumor masses. Patients may experience pneumothorax or collapsed lung. May metastatic disease or spread to other parts of the body.
Stages of pleural mesothelioma
There are four stages of the disease. Localized cancer pleural mesothelioma – Stage I cancer is still on the membrane surface where it originated in advanced stage IV. In this last step has cancer (metastasis) extend beyond the surface membrane of origin to other parts of the body such as lymph nodes, lungs, chest wall, or abdominal organs.
Detection and diagnosis
The first medical examination of the history of the patient, doctor, including exposure to asbestos. The doctor may perform a full physical examination. Doctors can then order x-rays of the chest or abdomen and lung function tests. These tests include various imaging tests such as computed tomography (CT) or MRI.
A biopsy is needed to confirm a diagnosis of Mesothelioma Cancer. Doctors perform a thoracoscopy in patients with symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. This procedure involves making a small incision in the chest wall is inserted a thin, lighted tube called a thoracoscope into the chest between two ribs. Doctors remove fluid access to the lungs through a procedure called thoracentesis. They can obtain tissue samples for analysis. Other types of tube inserts include a bronchoscopy or mediastinoscopy
Treatment options
Here are some of the most widely used treatments now.
Removal of the entire lung surgery and part of the pleura, diaphragm and part of the sac surrounding the heart.
Radiotherapy is applied to the sites of insertion of a tube chest to prevent tumor growth along the track in the chest wall. Although it is not particularly successful, the radiation is done to relieve symptoms derived from tumor growth, such as obstruction of a significant bleeding vessel.
Chemotherapy is used to stop cells cancer from growing and dividing.
Importantly, there is no effective treatment for pleural mesothelioma to date. Patients often have a median survival 6 to 12 months after the presenting symptoms.
About the Author:
Dave Casey is a medical writer for Mesothelioma-Adviser.com, a guide for mesothelioma cancer victims. Visit the site for Mesothelioma Cancer Help, articles on asbestosis symptoms and legal advice.
Copyright 2007 Mesothelioma-Adviser.com
Peritoneal Mesothelioma Surgery
