Monday, July 13, 2009

Asbestos Cancer Mesothelioma

 

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One of the fatal types of mesothelioma is Peritoneal Mesothelioma in which the carcenogenic cells attack the liner of the stomach called Peritoneum. Peritoneum is the thin surface, which shields various organs of the stomach and also provides a lubricating fluid to enable the organs to move and work correctly. The cancer of peritoneum, which is affecting this lining, is yet now a comparatively rare disease that accounts for roughly 1/5 of all mesotheliomas. Its only known cause in the U.S. till date is prior exposure to asbestos.

Major symptoms

Though mesothelioma is neither age nor sex explicit, peritoneal mesothelioma is often seen in men who are in the age group of 50-70 years. There are a number of evidence of the cancer of peritoneum almost all of which start appearing after 20, 30 or 50 years after the exposure to asbestos. These symptoms may include weight loss (however, waist line may increase ), agony or swelling in the abdomen, weakness, loss of appetite, bowel obstruction, anemia, revulsion and fever. Also, liquid frequently amasses in the peritoneal space leading to a condition called Ascites.

Diagnosis of peritoneal mesothelioma

The primary step towards detection of peritoneal mesothelioma includes X-rays and CT scans. For confirmed diagnosis, however the doctor desires to do biopsy whereby a bit of tissue is cut from the influenced part of the victim’s body and is placed under microscope for examination. If the disease is detected at an early stage it stands better chance of getting cured than the state of diffuse peritoneal mesothelioma, where the cancer has already spread to diverse parts.

The cure

It’s correct that cancer of peritoneum is lethal and leads to several deaths each year. However, with continued researches, several styles of treatments have been embarked on and in the future there is a fair chance of the illness becoming totally treatable. The kinds of treatment of peritoneal mesothelioma include surgery, radiation care and chemotherapy.

In surgery part of the intestinal tissue is cut out to get rid of the growth. At times the doctor may also have to get rid of a lung or a part of the diaphragm as specified by the need of the surgery. Radiation therapy, the second method, requires the applying of high energy X-rays to shrink the tumor and kill the malignant cells. The rays may be applied from an external machine or by putting the radiation source directly to the affected part of the body, by means of plastic tubes. Last treatment type is the chemotherapy whereby a mixture of substances is applied to kill the cancer cells. The drugs could be administered by mouth in the capsule form or could be applied intravenously thru needle.

However, it is crucial to say that price of treating any type of cancer is lavish and you may consult a mesothelioma barrister to earn you a beautiful compensation from the authority who was responsible for your prior exposure to asbestos.

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