Surviving Mesothelioma – Fighting This Life Threatening Enemy

Mesothelioma, an asbestos-related disease, is a rare form of cancer in which malignant cells reside in the mesothelium, a protective sac that covers many of the body’s internal organs. Malignant pericardial mesothelioma, malignant pleura, and malignant peritoneum are the three main types of mesothelioma cancer. The peritoneal form contains the tissue that covers the abdominal cavity and the pleural form contains the pouches that protect the pleural cavity around the lungs.

Mesothelioma is often confused with lung cancer. Common symptoms of mesothelioma can include cough, shortness of breath, hoarseness, shortness of breath, difficulty swallowing, abdominal pain and swelling, chest pain, anemia, insomnia, loss of appetite, cachexia, fatigue, weight loss, and fluids. on the abdomen or chest. Diagnosing mesothelioma accurately is not easy as many symptoms can be confused with other illnesses such as flu, bronchitis, pneumonia, and heart disease.

Mesothelioma is caused by asbestos. The level of asbestos exposure is harmless. Some mesothelioma victims have been exposed to asbestos for long periods of time. 60’s plumbers, boiler manufacturers, or HVAC repairers are examples. Many parts and equipment contain some asbestos. Some mesothelioma victims are “secondarily” exposed to the clothing of the directly exposed person. An example is when a woman washing her husband’s work clothes accidentally inhales or ingests microscopic fibers of asbestos. A third category of victims are those who are exposed to low levels of asbestos through accidental contact with products containing asbestos. Any form of exposure can cause mesothelioma.

There is currently no complete ban on asbestos-containing products in the United States. However, the EPA has set certain limits on the amount of asbestos allowed in some products. However, due to process costs, many manufacturers of products containing asbestos have voluntarily removed asbestos from their products. However, products from other countries may still contain asbestos. For example, a recent test carried out by the Asbetos Disease Awareness Organization found asbestos in children’s toys made in China.

It is usually 20 to 50 years between exposure to asbestos and a diagnosis of mesothelioma cancer. This incubation period varies from person to person, but because of this, mesothelioma usually affects the elderly.

Mesothelioma is a very aggressive cancer, but treatment options include standard therapies – surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, alternative or complementary therapies, and clinical trials. Clinical trials are a broad category that encompasses the different types of treatments tested. Currently, these therapies include monoclonal antibody approaches, antiangiogenic drugs, vaccine approaches – immunotherapy and other “biological modifiers”.

There is a lot of disappointing mesothelioma news and information on the internet regarding mesothelioma survival rates. Despite this pessimism, there have been several victims of organ mesothelioma, including Stephen Jay Gould, Rhio O’Connor, Paul Kraus, and others. In fact, Paul Kraus wrote an inspiring book on recovery from mesothelioma called Surviving Mesothelioma and Other Cancers: A Patient Guide. According to a former brain surgeon, “Surviving Mesothelioma” is the best-selling mesothelioma book in the world today. This mesothelioma book contains all the information cancer patients need to learn what survival behavior is.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is for educational and informational purposes only. This content is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any questions about your health, always ask your doctor or other qualified health care provider. Do not ignore or delay your request for professional medical advice based on what you have read through this article.

A free copy of Persistent Mesothelioma is available for a limited time on this website for patients with newly diagnosed mesothelioma.