Tuesday, June 15, 2010

What Causes Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma And How To Treat It

By Heidi Wingrain

Malignant pleural mesothelioma affects the pleural mesothelium, a defensive lining around the lungs and accounts for more than two-thirds of the three thousand mesothelioma instances reported in the United States alone every year. The pleura, which is constructed with two layers, supports and protects the lung cavity. The outside stratum protects the diaphragm and the inner layer, the visceral layer, covers the lungs. Pleural mesothelioma mostly infects only one of these layers at the starting up stages and sometimes spreads to the other layer also. The condition occurs to people who had inhaled asbestos filled air for continuous periods. After invading the human body, these debris get stuck in areas between the mesothelium cells and disturbs their normal function.

At the time the particles settle down, they cause some chemical reactions that result in the cells dividing without any order. This process thickens the pleural cells causing a fluid build-up described as pleural effusion. This unnecessary fluid accumulation prevents hassle-free breathing by compressing the lungs. Intermittent dry cough, coughing up blood, difficulty in swallowing, breath shortness, unexplainable weight loss, weakness, formation of lumps under the skin around the chest etc are the most visible testimonials of pleural mesothelioma.

Diagnosing pleural mesothelioma is fraught with challenges because these symptoms can be the result of other health conditions like pneumonia and influenza too. It requires proper examination of the healthcare history of the patient, imaging tests like CT scan, MRI, X-ray and biopsy to establish the type and class of the cancer.

Traditional therapies like surgery, medicated treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy are the most frequent cure employed against malignant pleural mesothelioma. In the event the situation is acute, two or all three so these are used at the same time to increase survival prospects. Although advanced treatment options are available, mesothelioma prognosis is yet to be in the sought after level to date. The most important reason for this is that the cancer is mostly detected only in the last stages, but if detected early, there are bright chances of successful recovery.

As the cancer is caused by asbestos exposure, those suffering from malignant pleural mesothelioma are entitled to legal support and can claim damages from those directly responsible for causing the infection. The amount, which may run to millions in a number of cases, can act as a financial cushion for medical expenses arising from the disease.

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