Mesothelioma of Pleura
What is the main cause of pleural mesothelioma?
The greater the exposure to asbestos and the longer the person is exposed during their lifetime, the higher the risk of mesothelioma. More than three quarters of pleural mesothelioma cases are directly related to asbestos. Most of these contacts with asbestos took place in the workplace.Who has pleural mesothelioma?
The majority of mesothelioma patients worked in an industry where contact with asbestos was common and common.Occupational exposure to asbestos
Until the 1980s, many workers were exposed to high doses of long-term and long-term asbestos in contaminated workplaces, such as refineries, construction sites and power plants. These types of long-term exposure to asbestos exposed these employees to a risk of developing pleural mesothelioma.US veterans are at risk of developing mesothelioma because of the time spent working on shipyards and shipbuilding and repair facilities. These places have been sources of asbestos exposure in recent years. In rare cases, exposure to asbestos when remodeling at home or handling loose insulation is considered the main cause of mesothelioma diagnosis.
Exposure to secondary and environmental asbestos
Some people have been exposed to asbestos by second-hand means. For example, asbestos carried home on the clothes or skin of an asbestos worker may result in secondary exposure of family members or anyone else at home.What are the symptoms of pleural mesothelioma?
The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma may be confused with less serious conditions. This makes them easy to ignore or misdiagnosis. The first symptoms include wheezing, coughing, nonspecific chest pain and shortness of breath during physical exertion.A 2019 article published in the medical journal Expert Review of Respiratory Medicine highlights this challenge of rapid and accurate diagnosis of mesothelioma. The authors noted that the clinical presentation of pleural mesothelioma is often nonspecific and includes progressive shortness of breath, weight loss, and chest wall pain.
How to diagnose pleural mesothelioma?
The diagnosis of pleural mesothelioma may take some time. Identifying the disease may require several tests and procedures. This may include x-rays, CT scans, MRIs, PET scans, biopsies, and laboratory tests of fluids around the lungs.If the symptoms are what brought you to the doctor, the way to get a diagnosis can start with an x-ray. Although an X-ray can not diagnose, a radiologist may note any abnormal areas. They can schedule additional tests to find out more about the cause of your symptoms.
Once your healthcare team has better understood the nature of your illness, they will try to obtain a biopsy of potentially cancerous areas. A biopsy is the only way to definitively diagnose pleural mesothelioma.
Biopsies and additional tests to diagnose pleural mesothelioma
The ASCO 2018 Pleural Mesothelioma Treatment Guidelines recommend that all cancer cells from a biopsy be further classified by immunohistochemistry, which identifies the presence of mesothelioma-specific cell markers.Markers not expected in a mesothelioma sample should also be tested. This can exclude other potential diseases. Additional laboratory tests can confirm the cell. Currently, there are no routine genomic tests approved for clinical use.
What is the best treatment for pleural mesothelioma?
The most common treatment for mesothelioma in the pleura is a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. This is known as multimodal processing. Some patients are turning to emerging treatments such as immunotherapy.Surgery: The surgery aims to eliminate as much cancer tissue as possible. Although this is the best treatment for long-term survival, many patients are not eligible for aggressive surgery because of extensive tumor spread or general health problems.
Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is the most common treatment option in patients with pleural mesothelioma. Chemotherapy drugs aim to kill cancer cells and reduce tumors. It can be used in combination or alone to control symptoms and improve quality of life.
Radiotherapy: Radiation therapy damages the DNA of the cancer cells, which prevents them from growing and multiplying. Radiation therapy does not cause the same harmful side effects as chemotherapy. It is sometimes used palliatively to relieve symptoms when surgery is not an option.
Immunotherapy: Many oncologists and researchers believe that immunotherapy is the future of cancer treatment. Immunotherapy strengthens your immune system to fight cancer. Although no immunotherapy drug is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of pleural mesothelioma, patients can access these therapies through clinical trials and compassionate use programs.
Palliative care: In the case of palliative care, the goal is to relieve symptoms to improve quality of life and not to increase survival. Palliative care may include minimally invasive surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
Because pleural mesothelioma is so difficult to diagnose and treat, it is essential to consult a mesothelioma specialist if you think you have the disease. A mesothelioma specialist will work with you to develop the best treatment plan for your cancer.
How much does the treatment of pleural mesothelioma cost?
The cost of treating pleural mesothelioma depends on several factors, including the type and duration of treatment, the amount of insurance to cover and the costs associated with the selected cancer center (hospital care, doctor's fees, etc.). ). According to the National Cancer Institute, the financial burden of mesothelioma is often compared to that of lung cancer treatment, which costs about $ 60,000 in the first year.The cost of chemotherapy - the most common treatment for pleural mesothelioma - could reach $ 30,000 over an eight-week period. These costs depend on the type of chemotherapy drug used and the duration of treatment. Radiation therapy can cost anywhere from $ 10,000 to $ 50,000 or more for lung cancer. The costs for mesothelioma are comparable.
Can you continue for mesothelioma?
Occupational exposure to asbestos is the leading cause of pleural mesothelioma. Many of these workers were neglected by carcinogens by companies who knew the dangers of asbestos but did not properly warn their employees.Some people who develop pleural mesothelioma may be eligible for compensation from the company or companies responsible for their exposure to asbestos. Compensation for mesothelioma victims and asbestos trust funds can help cover treatment costs, travel costs and loss of income.
To learn more about this option, you should consult a qualified mesothelioma lawyer. Working with an experienced mesothelioma lawyer is your best chance of receiving as much compensation as possible for your asbestos case.