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Mesothelioma Treatment: An Overview


Mesothelioma is a deadly form cancer developed through exposure to asbestos. The treatment procedure for mesothelioma depends on various factors, such as where the cancer is located, the actual stage of the disease, patient’s age, and the patient’s general health. The most common treatment procedures are surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Mesothelioma is also treated in a combination of all these types. There is no cure for mesothelioma, unless the affected part can be removed by an operation.

Surgery is the most common treatment type for mesothelioma. This involves removing the entire lining of the chest or the abdomen along with a few of the surrounding tissues. Pneumonectomy is a kind of operation which involves the removal of the lung in the disease of pleural mesothelioma. In a few cases, a part of the diaphragm, or the muscle which helps in the breathing process below the lungs, is also removed.

Radiation therapy or radiotherapy is a type of treatment which uses high-energy rays to kill these malignant cancerous cells, shrinking the developed tumors. Radiotherapy treats affects the cancerous cells. Mesothelioma treatment is done in two different radiations: external radiation and internal radiation. External radiation uses a machine to radiate into the cancer cells. The process where thin plastic tubes are generally used to radiate into the area where the cancer cells are found is referred as internal radiotherapy.

Chemotherapy is a kind of treatment which involves the use of anticancer drugs to kill the cancerous cells in the entire body. These drugs are injected into the vein. A needle or thin tube is used to drain the fluid which has developed in the region of the chest or abdomen. It is often used by doctors for relieving the symptoms and controlling pain.

Thoracentesis is another form of treatment used to remove the fluid from the chest. Paracentesis is used to remove the fluid from the abdominal region. Giving drugs through tubes can prevent the accumulation of fluid in the chest. Surgery and radiotherapy are used to relieve the symptoms in the treatment process.

Mesothelioma Litigation provides detailed information on History of Mesothelioma Litigation, Mesothelioma Diagnosis: A Guide, Mesothelioma Laws, Mesothelioma Lawyers: A Guide and more. Mesothelioma Litigation is affiliated with California Contractor License Bond.