Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a consequence of exposure to asbestos. It can take anywhere from 15 years to 50 years after the exposure takes place. Unfortunately, once you start experiencing the symptoms the mesothelioma has taken hold in your body. There are four different types of mesothelioma. They are pleural, peritoneal, pericardial and testicular.

Anyone that is suffering from symptoms should go to see their doctor immediately. The sooner you see the physician, the better your prognosis may be. If the mesothelioma is caught quick enough, you may be a candidate for surgery. There are several surgical options that can be given. Over the years, surgery has been perfected and gives the patient a better chance at survival. If you wait to long though the prognosis will go down.

If you are in stage 3 or 4, you will not be a candidate for surgery.

Radiation therapy, can be used by itself or in tandem with surgery. It is sometimes used along with chemotherapy treatment. The patient may also be given radiation treatments if they are unable to tolerate chemotherapy. The treatments usually last five days a week for five weeks. The best results from radiation, are a relief from the symptoms that are present. Chemotherapy, will also relieve symptoms. It can be given in a pill form or injected. The doctor will also give a prescription to help with the side effects of the chemo.

There are several clinical trials underway that you may qualify for as a candidate. With these trials you will get extra care and the newest treatment from the physician. You may also find better treatment and at a reduced cost and your pain may be greatly relieved. Unfortunately there can sometimes be drawbacks to clinical trials. There can be unexpected side effects when you are in a clinical trial. Also, even though the trial may work on some people it may not be successful for you. The site of the clinical trial may be quite a distance away and cause quite an inconvenience. There is a chance that your insurance company may not pay for the treatment.

One thing, that is important to remember about mesothelioma, is not to ignore the symptoms. If you are at risk due to asbestos exposure, do not ignore any symptoms. Call your doctor immediately, so you can discuss your options and receive treatment immediately.

This entry was posted on Thursday, September 8th, 2011 at 3:25 am and is filed under Mesothelioma, Mesothelioma Treatment Options. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.