People who develop Mesothelioma in pleura worked in an atmosphere, which induced them to inhale asbestos particles. Sometimes, people who inhale asbestos dust and fiber in some other ways, like washing the clothes of the person who worked in the asbestos factory may also develop this disease.
Malignant Mesothelioma pleural may show symptoms in the initial stage. Shortness of breath, pain in the chest wall, pleural effusion, abdominal swelling and weight loss are some of the common symptoms of this disease. Sometimes, blood clotting abnormalities, fatigue, wheezing, coughing up blood and anemia may also persist.
Diagnosing Mesothelioma in pleura is often difficult, as the symptoms can be linked to some other conditions. The physician analyses the medical history of the patient and identifies this disease. Generally, patients who have the history of exposure to asbestos are under the clinical suspicion for Malignant Mesothelioma in Pleura.
The physician examines the patient thoroughly to diagnose Mesothelioma. They may also perform chest x-rays as well as other tests of the lungs. The chest x-ray can clearly show the pleural thickening, which happens due to continuous exposure to asbestos. A CT scan is also performed to detect this disease. Sometimes, cytology can be useful in detecting the abnormal cells. If the result of cytology is positive, a biopsy is the required to confirm Malignant Mesothelioma pleural.
Screening tests for people who have been exposed to asbestos for a long period, may diagnose Malignant Mesothelioma Pleural in the premature stage. This helps to improve the rate of survival for the patients. Some physicians use Mesomark Assay, which is an in vitro test used to diagnose Mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma is classified as early and advanced stage for the purpose of treatment. If the cancer is found only on the membrane surface in which it was originated, it is then referred to as the early stage. In advanced stage, the cancer may have spread to other parts of the body beyond the membrane surface.
The early stages of Malignant Mesothelioma Pleural can be treated using conventional therapies like radiation or chemotherapy. The combination of radiation and chemotherapy has proved to be successful in treating 74.6% patients.
Radiation treatment is given to the patients who can tolerate a radical surgery. However, in most cases, radiation is given as a consolidate treatment, in combination with chemotherapy. It is proved that delivering radiation and chemotherapy can extend the life span of the patients for more than five years.
Chemotherapy is the most successful treatment to Malignant Mesothelioma pleural. Cisplatin chemotherapy in combination with raltitrexed, which is an antimetabolite drug can also be an option. Sometimes, cisplatin may cause certain side effects like nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. The Food and Drugs Administration in the United States approved conventional therapies like surgery in combination with radiation for early stage Mesothelioma and surgery in combination with chemotherapy for advanced stages.
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