Thursday, April 21, 2011

Malignant Mesothelioma Requires Treatment As Soon As Possible

By Tom Addison


Sometimes, malignant mesothelioma is confused with lung cancer. It is not the same thing though. This disease affects the mesothelium tissue found either in the lining of the chest or the outside of the lungs or in the lining of the abdominal cavity. When talking about the chest, it's called pleural while that of the abdomen is peritoneal. The mesothelioma survival rate is terrible.

In most cases, the disease affects the pleural lining. It is caused by exposure to asbestos. In most cases, exposure to the mineral occurred because of working on a job where it was breathed. In other cases, it can be absorbed through exposure in the home.

There was a time when the mineral was used to manufacture a number of products such as insulation, roofing, hair dryers, cement and many others. It doesn't require a lot of exposure for the disease to occur, sometimes even as short a time as one or two months is enough. There can be decades between exposure and disease diagnosis.

The disease is rare, being diagnosed in only a few thousand Americans each year. The mesothelioma survival rate will depend on partially on how early it is caught and treatment begun. The experience of the doctor or clinic that is treating the disease can also make a big difference.

Patients are often told that the mesothelioma survival rate is no more than a year. There are some specialists in this form of cancer, however, who have had a number of patients surviving for more than five years. Therefore, it's important to make sure you see someone who is knowledgeable in dealing with the disease.

Malignant mesothelioma does not occur in everyone who has had exposure to asbestos. However, if there is any reason for you to be concerned that you may have it, it's best to be examined as quickly as possible. Detecting it early is key for having the best prognosis possible, because the mesothelioma survival rate isn't good.




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