Monday, January 18, 2010

Cancer Mesothelioma And Its Deadly Effects

By Heidi Wingrain

Cancer mesothelioma is a malicious disease which is life threatening. It is developed in people who come in direct contact with asbestos. Inhalation of asbestos for a prolonged duration affects the mesothelium, which is the protective lining of our internal organs. The disease has destroyed the lives of many families by killing their dear and near ones. Since the disease is developed many years after the exposure to asbestos, even a ban on it has not helped much.

All the three forms of mesothelioma, that is, the pleural, peritoneal and pericardial are highly potent threats to human life. In many cases, the cancer is detected only after thirty years, making it difficult to either claim for damages from the offending employer or taking effective treatment.

Apart from banning the use of asbestos in work places by the government, the law gives the victim the right to claim strict compensation measures. This comes as a boon for the families of the victims which would be facing great financial crunches. Researches are going on to find better treatment methods to tackle cancer mesothelioma.

There are many symptoms associated with the disease like fever, fatigue, wheezing etc. Endless treatment procedures start once the patient is diagnosed with the disease. The patient has to go through a series if medications including chemotherapy. Chemotherapy has many side effects like rashes developing in the skin, high fever, a feeling of numbness, fatigue, sores in mouth or throat, diarrhea or constipation etc. Surgery and radiation therapy are also used in many cases.

Angiogenesis, photodynamic therapy, gene therapy, immunotherapy etc are some of the modern treatment measures providing a new hope to the patients. New devices are invented for the early detection of the dreadful disease. Palliative care is also becoming popular these days, which focuses on reducing the pain the patient has to suffer.

Long term clinical care is required for cancer mesothelioma. Joined efforts of social workers, medical experts, nutritionists and psychologists can work wonders for the hopeless patients. They can provide comfort and a motivation for the patients assailing in despair. Ultimately this will provide them the will to live and respond positively to the treatment process.

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