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Treatment for Mesothelioma: Various Stages, Early Detection, Remission

Treating Mesothelioma at Various Stages: Early Detection and Remission

If you need to start treatment for Mesothelioma at one of its various stages, read on for insights about early detection and remission.

Cancer results from the uncontrollable division of damaged cells in the body spreading into surrounding tissues.

There are many causes of cancer. Some are preventable. Others are not.

Preventable risk factors include physical inactivity or an unhealthy diet.

Whereas an unpreventable factor is the individual’s age.

One of the more aggressive forms of cancer is mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma is a malignant tumor that develops in the thin layer of tissue covering the internal organs. It occurs in the lungs or abdomen tissue lining due to inhaled asbestos fibers.

For most patients, the life expectancy after a mesothelioma diagnosis is approximately 12 to 18 months.

Symptoms of Mesothelioma include…

  • shortness of breath
  • generalized fatigue
  • weight loss
  • chest pains

It takes 10 to 50 years for symptoms of mesothelioma to emerge after initial asbestos exposure.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral, which, if inhaled, prevents oxygen from reaching the bloodstream.

Certain occupations increase the risk of asbestos exposure…

  • shipbuilding
  • oil refining
  • construction work
  • doing mechanic work or being a machinist

Plus, different companies use asbestos in building materials, cement products, and pipes.

A worker in these fields isn’t just at high risk themselves, but may expose a loved one to asbestos by bringing it home on skin or clothing.

Due to high-cost treatment options, most patients are unable to get quality medical help. Seeking legal assistance from a mesothelioma attorney allows workers exposed to the hazardous mineral to seek financial compensation. You can pursue this from both asbestos manufacturers and employers for medical treatment and punitive damages.     

If you need support to know more about treating Mesothelioma at its various stages, keep reading.

As you might know, I am a bestselling wellness author with about 2 million books sold. I also founded the groundbreaking video course The Anxiety Cure.

I love sharing insights and strategies to help people to overcome their challenges.

With this in mind I put together this quick guide on detection and treatment of Mesothelioma

Early Detection and Treatment for Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is usually detected in later and advanced stages. However, treatment outcomes drastically improve if you catch it early.

Unfortunately people often avoid visiting the doctor. They ignore the symptoms because they believe it’s simply a common flu and cold. This happens too often because the symptoms are similar: muscle straining, coughing, and breathing problems.

Your doctor will review the medical history to check for symptoms. Since asbestos is a risk factor, you should mention to the healthcare provider if you have had asbestos exposure. After reviewing the medical history, your doctor will order blood and imaging tests. They will need to evaluate changes in the lungs that might point towards mesothelioma.

A definitive way to confirm mesothelioma diagnosis is through thoracoscopy.       

Mesothelioma Treatment Options

After a confirmed diagnosis, your doctor will guide you about the treatment options.

Treatment options range from…

  • surgery
  • chemotherapy
  • immune therapy

Doctors determine the treatment plan based on the stages of mesothelioma and the patient’s health.

Here are the four stages of mesothelioma

Stage 1

Mesothelioma is rarely diagnosed in stage 1. Patients with mild symptoms like fever or dry cough feel they do not require medical attention. Imaging test like X-rays or CT scan help diagnose stage 1 mesothelioma.

The survival rate is two years, depending on the treatment options available. Doctors will remove the diseased tissue with surgery. Once the patient has recovered from surgery, chemotherapy is used to kill any remaining cells in the body.

Stage 2 

In stage 2 mesothelioma, cancer spreads to lymph nodes. The life expectancy is from 19 to 67 months. Symptoms include chronic coughing, abdominal pain, and dyspnea. If the symptoms are caught early, it will improve the prognosis.

Stage 2 is diagnosed through cancer screening or when the patient experiences severe chest pain. Surgery removes the areas affected by mesothelioma. Radiation therapy administered after surgery uses a high dose of radiation to kill any remaining cancer cells and prevent relapse. 

Stage 3

In stage 3 tumors spread into tissues, organs, and lymph nodes. Patients with stage 3 mesothelioma survive for five years. Symptoms include fluid buildup, recurring dry cough, and fatigue. Patients with stage 3 mesothelioma should seek immediate treatment. 

Therapies including acupuncture and yoga are administered with chemotherapy to improve the immune system and overall health. Immunotherapy is considered for patients at stage 3. It boosts the body’s natural defenses to fight cancer.

Stage 4

At this advanced stage patients usually have a malignant tumor. It can spread to distant areas in the body. The survival rate is less than 12 months. Symptoms include dysphagia, severe weight loss, and fever.

The best treatment option is chemotherapy with palliative care. Your goal will be to shrink the tumor and improve your quality of life. Plus doctors recommend respiratory therapies to improve lung function.

Mesothelioma Remission     

Although it is a rare phenomenon, mesothelioma remission occurs when there is no visible trace of cancer in the body. Some patients lead an active lifestyle after mesothelioma remission through multiple treatments. Remission is how much a cancer patient’s symptoms decrease or disappear.

Doctors treat patients in full or partial remission as a chronic disease due to the risk of recurrence. Doctors incorporate multimodal therapy. Meaning? They combine more than one type of treatment. Doctors do whatever they can to achieve remission and improve survival rate.

Final Thoughts on Treating Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a malignant tumor affecting the tissue lining of the lungs or abdomen. It is primarily diagnosed in an advanced stage due to symptoms emerging 10-50 years after asbestos exposure.

People working in shipbuilding, construction, manufacturing, and industrial plants are more likely to be exposed to asbestos.

Unfortunately a cure is not possible. However, you can try to achieve early detection and early treatment options to improve the prognosis.

Treatment depends on the stages of mesothelioma. Stage 1 is treated with surgery. Whereas palliative care is the treatment option that improves the quality of life in stage 4. A patient rarely goes into complete remission. However, doctors can help patients reach short or long-term mesothelioma remission through multiple treatments.

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