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See What You Can Do To Mesothelioma
Treatment Research. Help Find a Cure!
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that develops in the lining
around the lungs (the “pleura”), abdomen (the “peritoneum”),
or heart (the “pericardium”). Mesothelioma is almost always
caused by exposure to asbestos.
Mesothelioma Risk Factors
Working with asbestos is the major risk factor for mesothelioma.
A history of asbestos exposure at work is reported in about
70 percent to 80 percent of all cases. However, mesothelioma
has been reported in some individuals without any known
exposure to asbestos.
Asbestos is the name of a group of minerals that occur naturally
as masses of strong, flexible fibers that can be separated
into thin threads and woven. Asbestos has been widely used
in many industrial products, including cement, brake linings,
roof shingles, flooring products, textiles, and insulation.
If tiny asbestos particles float in the air, especially
during the manufacturing process, they may be inhaled or
swallowed, and can cause serious health problems. In addition
to mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos increases the risk
of lung cancer, asbestosis (a noncancerous, chronic lung
ailment), and other cancers, such as those of the larynx
and kidney. Smoking does not appear to increase the risk
of mesothelioma. However, the combination of smoking and
asbestos exposure significantly increases a person’s risk
of developing cancer of the air passageways in the lung.
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Mesothelioma Treatment Options
While there is currently no cure available for
malignant mesothelioma, there are treatments available.
Treatment for mesothelioma depends on the location
of the cancer, the stage of the disease, and the
patient’s age and general health. Standard treatment
options include surgery, radiation therapy, and
chemotherapy. Sometimes, these treatments are combined.
To relieve symptoms and control pain, the doctor
may use a needle or a thin tube to drain fluid that
has built up in the chest or abdomen. The procedure
for removing fluid from the chest is called thoracentesis.
Removal of fluid from the abdomen is called paracentesis.
Drugs may be given through a tube in the chest to
prevent more fluid from accumulating. Radiation
therapy and surgery may also be helpful in relieving
symptoms.
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Mesothelioma Survival Rate
The average age at diagnosis is 50 to 70 years old. The
disease affects men 3 to 5 times more often than women.
Mesothelioma is less common in African Americans than in
Caucasians. The average survival time is about one year.
However early detection and aggressive treatment can increase
this survival time. 50% of patients whose cancer was detected
early reach 2 years. 20% reach 5 years. Treatment is being
improved and often results in a better outlook for newly
diagnosed patients. The 5-year survival rate refers to the
percent of patients who live at least 5 years after their
cancer is diagnosed. Many of these patients live much longer
than 5 years after diagnosis, and 5-year rates are used
to produce a standard way of discussing prognosis. Five-year
relative survival rates exclude from the calculations patients
dying of other diseases, and are considered to be a more
accurate way to describe the prognosis for patients with
a particular type and stage of cancer.
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