| Mesothelioma the medical name for cancer of the | | | | weight.Testing can be carried out initially by X-Ray, |
| pleura (the lining of the lung and chest cavity) or | | | | with a Thoric CT and open lung biopsy being used to |
| cancer of the peritoneum (the lining of the abdomen). | | | | confirm the findings of the early tests. If it is |
| It is usually caused by prolonged or persistent | | | | diagnosed early enough, the tumor can be surgically |
| exposure to asbestos.Symptoms of mesothelioma | | | | removed, and with follow-up chemotherapy and |
| may not appear until between twenty and fifty | | | | radiation treatment, full recovery is often |
| years after exposure, which explains why so many | | | | possible.However, in more advanced cases, cure is |
| new cases of this form of cancer are coming to light | | | | usually not possible. In such cases, chemotherapy and |
| now, even though the dangers of asbestos were | | | | radiation treatment can be used alongside other pain |
| realized long ago and measures taken to reduce the | | | | relief treatments, to ease the symptoms. Where |
| risk of the disease.As with many forms of cancer, | | | | cure is not possible, the average survival time is |
| the mesothelioma tumor can spread rapidly, often | | | | between four and eighteen months, depending on |
| infecting the opposite pleura, and continuing on to | | | | the stage of the tumor and the general health of the |
| other internal organs. Symptoms include a shortness | | | | patient. |
| of breath, chest pains, coughing, and loss of | | | | |