Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is caused by
asbestos exposure. This type of cancer typically occurs in the linings of
organs such as the lungs or abdomen. It is one of the deadliest cancers, and
the typical life expectancy of a patient after diagnosis is between 18-31
months. However, there are treatments available that may prolong your life
expectancy and control your symptoms. But before we discuss these treatments
more, we must first understand the symptoms of mesothelioma.
Symptoms Of
Mesothelioma
If the following symptoms emerge, one must seek
immediate medical help:
·
Chest pain
·
Abdominal pain
·
Shortness of breath
·
Fluid buildup
·
Fatigue
·
Fever
·
Night sweats
·
Weight loss
·
Coughing or wheezing
·
Loss of appetite
The early signs are specially challenging to detect
because they are mild. As a result, people generally tend to ignore common
symptoms or misdiagnose them as common illnesses. But these symptoms eventually
get worse as time passes by.
If you get these symptoms, ask your doctor to
conduct a physical exam, looking for unusual signs or lumps. They may also
order CT scans or X-rays. In case they find anything, your doctor may order
other tests to determine the type of cancer. Apart from that, here are some
steps to take:
1)
Prepare For The Cost Of Treatment
Like every other cancer, mesothelioma treatments are
also expensive. If you don’t have enough funds, you cannot benefit from
chemotherapy or surgery. Therefore, your first concern would be to arrange the
money for treatment.
In case you suspect that you were exposed to
asbestos due to construction work nearby or workplace negligence, then you can
sue the company. However, to make a solid case, you will need the help of a
reputable law firm like the national
mesothelioma law firm. Apart from that, you will need solid proof of your
claim. In case you win the case, then the monetary compensation can cover your
treatment expenses. Some organizations can provide financial help to cancer
patients, including assistance for transportation, co-pays, child care, home
care, etc.
2)
Treatment For Mesothelioma
The treatments your doctor recommends will depend
upon the type of cancer and your health. Its location and stage also determine
the type of treatment recommended for you.
However, the bad news is that mesothelioma is a very
aggressive type of cancer, and most people are unable to get cured. The reason
for that is that mesothelioma is typically diagnosed when the symptoms get
worse at advanced stages. At such an advanced stage, it becomes impossible to
treat cancer through an operation. In that case, your doctor can only recommend
treatments to control cancer so that you can be comfortable. Discussing
your treatment goals with the doctor can help you
determine the best step for your health and comfort.
3)
Surgery
If the doctors detect mesothelioma during the early
stages, they can perform surgery to remove it. In few cases, this surgery can
even cure you. However, most of the time, this approach isn’t completely
successful, and doctors can only remove some parts of cancer. In that case,
surgery can help reduce the symptoms and slow the spread of cancer. Some
surgery options include:
·
Surgery to decrease fluid buildup
·
Surgery to remove tissue surrounding the lungs
·
Surgery to remove a lung and its surrounding tissue
·
Surgery for peritoneal mesothelioma
4)
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy involved the usage of different
chemicals to kill the cancer cells or slow their growth. Chemotherapy can help
in shrinking the cancer cells or slowing their growth rate. Chemotherapy is
generally recommended in case the surgery is unable to remove all cancer
tissues from the body. Some people also opt for chemotherapy before opting for
surgery to make the process easier and increase their chances of success. In
addition to that, chemotherapy also reduces the chances
of cancer returning.
5)
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy is the process of focusing beams
from X-rays and proton machines to a specific spot. This high-energy radiation
helps in killing the cancer cells or shrinking them. Typically, doctors
recommend radiation after surgery to kill any leftover cancer cells and ensure
they don’t come back.
6)
Other Treatments
You can also opt for treatments such as
immunotherapy or targeted therapy to beat mesothelioma in specific conditions.
Some people even opt for clinical trials if they really want to prolong their
life span. However, the main concern after being diagnosed is to cope with the
disease and find the necessary support. Being diagnosed with mesothelioma is
really devastating, and mental distress can affect your immune system.
Therefore, you must keep calm health and make decisions about your healthcare.
Conclusion
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