Malignant pleural mesothelioma affects the pleural mesothelium, a protective lining around the lungs and accounts for more than two-thirds of the three thousand mesothelioma cases reported in the United States alone every year. The pleura, which is constructed with two layers, supports and protects the lung cavity. The outer stratum protects the diaphragm while the inner layer, the visceral layer, covers the lungs. Pleural mesothelioma mostly infects only one of these layers at the starting stages and sometimes spreads to the other layer also. The disease occurs to people who had inhaled asbestos filled air for continuous periods. The particles, after getting into the body, get trapped in the space between the mesothelium cells and retard their functioning.
Once 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 called pleural effusion. This excess fluid accumulation prevents easy 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 dangers because these symptoms can be the result of other diseases like pneumonia and influenza too. It requires proper examination of the medical history of the patient, imaging tests like CT scan, MRI, X-ray and biopsy to establish the type and class of the cancer.
Traditional treatments like surgery, medicated treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy are the most common cure employed against malignant pleural mesothelioma. If the situation is acute, two or all three so these are simultaneously to increase survival prospects. Even with all the aggressive treatments available, mesothelioma prognosis is not at the desired levels so far. 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 compensation from those directly responsible for causing the infection. The amount, which may run to millions in some cases, can act as a financial cushion for medical expenses arising from the disease.
Once 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 called pleural effusion. This excess fluid accumulation prevents easy 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 dangers because these symptoms can be the result of other diseases like pneumonia and influenza too. It requires proper examination of the medical history of the patient, imaging tests like CT scan, MRI, X-ray and biopsy to establish the type and class of the cancer.
Traditional treatments like surgery, medicated treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy are the most common cure employed against malignant pleural mesothelioma. If the situation is acute, two or all three so these are simultaneously to increase survival prospects. Even with all the aggressive treatments available, mesothelioma prognosis is not at the desired levels so far. 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 compensation from those directly responsible for causing the infection. The amount, which may run to millions in some cases, can act as a financial cushion for medical expenses arising from the disease.
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