Mesothelioma cancer strikes either the lining of the abdominal cavity, the lining of the heart, or the lining of the lungs. It is a difficult cancer to diagnose because the symptoms are common to many diseases and illnesses. Mesothelioma cancer is fatal so treatment is critical to extend mesothelioma life expectancy of patients.
Mesothelioma cancer is a result of exposure to asbestos. The incubation of mesothelioma cancer also makes diagnosis very difficult. It can take up to forty years after extended exposure to asbestos for the mesothelioma cancer to manifest.
Many times the mesothelioma cancer has spread through the body before symptoms appear and a diagnosis confirmed. By the time symptoms appear, the mesothelioma cancer has usually already advanced, sometimes to a serious state, and treatment does little to cure the patient. There are several treatment choices for those diagnosed with mesothelioma. Mesothelioma cancer is fatal so treatment is critical to extend mesothelioma life expectancy of patients.
A patient undergoing treatment for mesothelioma cancer must know the different stages the cancer can undertake, revealing the extent of the disease. The staging system used for identifying the stages of pleural mesothelioma cancer of the lung lining also determine the stages of peritoneal mesothelioma cancer of the abdominal lining and pericardial mesothelioma cancer of the heart lining.
Stage I - Malignant mesothelioma cancer cells develop and multiply on one layer of lining. This is the lining of the lungs, the lining of the abdomen, or the lining of the heart, depending on the type of mesothelioma cancer. If the lymph nodes are not affected, the patient can usually recover through surgery.
Stage II - In this stage, the cancer develops and attacks the esophagus, chest wall, heart, abdomen, or lungs. Fluid builds up between the membrane and lining. Common symptoms of Stage II include chest pain, cough, and shortness of breath. Sometimes the lymph nodes may enlarge in Stage II, but surgery may still be a viable option.
Stage III - Malignant mesothelioma cells spread to the affected organs. The lymph nodes enlarge. The patient may suffer pain near the affected organs. Treatments other than surgery will apply.
Stage IV - This is the last, advanced, stage of the cancer called advanced mesothelioma cancer. Mesothelioma cancer cells penetrate the bloodstream and move to other organs in the body. Treatments other than surgery are needed. Mesothelioma cancer is usually fatal so treatment is necessary to extend mesothelioma life expectancy of patients.
Physicians use x-rays, CAT scans, and an MRI to determine the stage of mesothelioma cancer. Once determined, the appropriate treatment can begin.
Much of the treatment involves chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. Other treatments include pain management and psychological help. Treatment depends on the exact location of the tumor, the development stage the cancer is in, how far it has spread, age, overall health, and how the mesothelioma has metastasized.
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