Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the thin membrane (called the mesothelium) lining the chest, lungs, abdomen and sometimes the heart. Mesothelioma is a relatively rare cancer with more than two hundred people affected in the US annually. The majority of mesothelioma cases are directly linked to asbestos exposure.



The disease has a very long latency period so most victims are of an average age of 50-70 years. Mesothelioma most often affects men, most of them were exposed to asbestos at their place of industrial typed jobs. Mesothelioma symptoms include respiratory problems, shortness of breath, continual cough and pneumonia. Other mesothelioma symptoms include weight loss, abdominal problems and swelling. In some mesothelioma patients, the mesothelioma symptoms are not very specific, making diagnosis very difficult.

Mesothelioma doctors specialize in the study, research, and treatments of Mesothelioma cancers.

Mesothelioma (or the cancer of the mesothelium) is a disease in which cells become abnormal and replicate without control, these abnormal cells spread and invade other normal organs and tissues in the body. Mesothelioma cancer cells can spread throughout the body ultimately leading to death.

Mesothelioma treatments and Mesothelioma clinical trials and tests

There are many mesothelioma treatment options available. The conventional treatments include surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy and the mesothelioma treatment depends on the patient's age, general health and stage of the cancer. There has however been much mesothelioma research conducted throughout the recent years to find new treatment methods.

Through mesothelioma research, The National Cancer Institute has sponsored mesothelioma tests and clinical trials that are designed to find new treatment methods.

Because of the increase in number of mesothelioma cases in the United States, both governments have increased funding for mesothelioma research. Mesothelioma research and clinical trials have been successful in developing new techniques to fight this cancer and the outlook for more advanced mesothelioma treatments is promising.

Surgery is the most common treatment method for malignant mesothelioma. Tissues and linings affected by mesothelioma are removed by the doctor and may include the lung or even diaphragm.

A second mesothelioma treatment method is radiation therapy through the use of high energy x-rays that kill the cancer cells. Radiation therapy can be outside or inside the body.

A third mesothelioma treatment method is chemotherapy. Through pills or drugs through needles, chemotherapy drugs are used to kill cancer cells.

A new mesothelioma treatment method is called intraoperative photodynamic therapy. In this treatment, light and drugs are used to kill cancer cells during surgery for early stages of mesothelioma in the chest.

Although there are numerous treatments and drugs for mesothelioma, doctors are loosing the battle against this deadly disease. Most mesothelioma treatments involve old techniques combined with different drug cocktails. However, in most cases, these mesothelioma treatments have many side effects including organ damage, nausea, increase in heart failure etc. Research to find a more effective mesothelioma treatment or even cure is ongoing at numerous clinical labs across the nation. Let's hope that the mesothelioma research will one day lead to the discovery of an effective treatment to cure mesothelioma cancer and asbestosis.

Patients stricken by Mesothelioma and their families require support and current information. Mesothelioma Online Resources hopes to educate and give hope to survivors and victims. Such information can be obtained from http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

Mesothelioma is such a terrible disease. Not only does it take years for symptoms to appear, but there are limited treatments and drugs that only most of the time just prolong the lifespan of most patients by a few months to years. In many cases, the death rate of mesothelioma is unfortunately very high.

However, with increased funding in mesothelioma research through the government and private grants, the outlook for a mesothelioma cure is quite possible. In the meantime, mesothelioma support groups and local discussions provide the ongoing support for mesothelioma patients.