Pleural Mesothelioma is a form of Mesothelioma that affects the pleural of the lungs. It is the most common form of Mesothelioma seen in Mesothelioma patients. The pleural is a thin layer of membrane that covers the chest cavity and the lungs. This transparent membrane becomes thick and fibrous when invaded by cancerous cells. In this post, we shall be discoursing causes of pleural Mesothelioma, how it can be diagnosed, the symptoms as well as the treatment options for pleural Mesothelioma. To start with, let us take a look at the causes of pleural Mesothelioma.
This form of mesothelioma is primarily caused by asbestos. Asbestos are natural, organic substances mined from within the crust of the earth. There are six different types of asbestos including serpentine,and the blue asbestos which is the most dangerous of all. These substances become air borne when handled or manipulated in various industrial purposes. Asbestos miners or people residing near the mines may easily inhale these tiny, microscopic asbestos fibers which remain embedded in the lungs for years before resulting to pleural Mesothelioma or related disease such asbestosis. Although asbestos is the main cause of pleural Mesothelioma, cigarette smoking over a long period of time may also cause pleural Mesothelioma. Lets take a look at how this form of Mesothelioma is diagnosed.
This form of Mesothelioma is most of the time diagnosed late, at the advanced stage of the cancer. This occurs because the symptoms of the disease mimics those of other diseases. One of the ways to diagnose the disease is by paying attention to the presenting symptoms which shall be discussed in the next paragraph. Magnetic resonance imaging, x-rays and other imaging techniques are important in the diagnosis of pleural Mesothelioma. Once the asbestos fibers are discovered in the pleural membrane treatment should commence without delay.
Patients display several symptoms. Some of these includes: inexplicable weight loss, loss of appetite, elevated body temperature also called fever, nausea and vomiting, reduction in blood volume ( anemia ), constipation, diarrhea, chest pain, accumulation of fluids in the space between the pleural ( pleural effusion), night sweats, excessive coughing, wheezing, abnormal lung functions, abdominal swelling and so on.
In case you experience one or more of these symptoms and you reside near asbestos mine please report immediately to a qualified physician for diagnosis and prompt treatment.
Treatment of Mesothelioma involves the use of radiation to kill cancer cells known as radiotherapy, the use of drugs called chemotherapy and surgery.
No comments:
Post a Comment