Saturday, October 3, 2009

Early Detection Is A Key To Treating Mesothelioma

By Jason Myers

Individuals who are exposed to asbestos particles more often are susceptible to acquire the deadly cancer, mesothelioma. This ailment triggers malignant cells in the mesothelium - the inner membrane that covers the internal organs of the body. Generally, mesothelioma harms the inner lining of the chest wall and the lungs. It can also hit the peritoneum - the inner lining of the abdomen and the pericardium that protects the heart and tunica vaginalis.

Those engaged in asbestos production companies are the most susceptible and have recorded the highest number of mesothelioma patients. In addition, families who have a member or members employed by these types of companies can also fall prey to this disease as they regularly come in contact with asbestos particles when they wash their clothes or from many other activities that expose them to asbestos particles.

Although there is a high probability of having mesothelioma from smoking, it is not directly related with smoking. However, lung cancers are most prominent ailment among smokers while mesothelioma affects only those with direct exposures to asbestos particularly those directly in asbestos manufacturing and their immediate household members. Individuals who live near to these factories which deal with asbestos also run the risk of acquiring mesothelioma.

Individuals who suffer from mesothelioma will not present signs and symptoms of the disease in its initial stages. With this nature of the disease, it is very difficult to detect at the initial stage, and by the time it is detected, it can be already too late to cure such fatal ailment. The signs and symptoms include chest pains, weight loss and difficulty breathing although they may vary depending on the actual conditions of the patients.

CT scan, X-ray and tissue sample are the diagnosing methods performed on a patient to confirm whether the ailment is mesothelioma or not . The tissue samples are extracted by inserting a camera with a tube to the affected areas and these tissue samples are subjected to microscopic tests. Early diagnosis of the disease allows doctors to undertake effective treatments to minimize the affects.

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