Peritoneal Mesothelioma Treatment
Oct 07 2009
Posted by Admin as mesothelioma, mesothelioma cancer, mesothelioma treatment, peritoneal mesothelioma, pleural mesothelioma
Peritoneal Mesothelioma Treatment
Peritoneal mesothelioma treatments are classified into localized treatments and systemic treatments. Systemic treatments are whole body treatments like chemotherapy. Localized treatments include surgery and radiotherapy. Peritoneal mesothelioma treatment depends upon a number of factors, such as the size and stage of cancer cells, the patient’s general condition and health, past medical history of the patient and the patient’s age. Peritoneal mesothelioma is the cancer of the membrane in the abdomen. As with all cancer diseases, premature detection and treatment provides the best possible result.
Radiation therapy or radiotherapy uses high energy rays (like x-rays) to kill cancer cells in the affected area. There are several ways to administer radiotherapy and each one breaks down the cancer cells so that they may be eliminated from the body. The general method includes a machine kept outside the body, which produces radiation. Another method is by placing a radiation-emitting device directly to the affected cell by way of plastic tubes. In addition to controlling radiation, doctors use these tubes to inject the required drugs.
The peritoneal mesothelioma surgery is known as a peritonectomy. Surgical treatment is often not practical in the case of peritoneal mesothelioma. If the growth of cancer cell is found very early, it may be possible to remove tumor by operation. The surgery involves cutting out the peritoneum, the lining of the abdomen where the mesothelioma has started growing. Sometimes it is needed to remove a lung or part of the diaphragm, for the surgery to succeed in removing the afflicted cell.
Medicines can be administered in tablet form. Depending on the type of medicine used, the treatment can be applied weekly or every two to three weeks. Chemotherapy for peritoneal mesothelioma controls symptoms and tries to slow the cancer down. This therapy is used to kill mesothelioma cells by injecting anti-cancer drugs that are usually injected into a vein.
Peritoneal mesothelioma does not always respond to traditional mesothelioma treatment ways. Physicians and researchers are constantly working to improve upon the existing peritoneal mesothelioma treatment.
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Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Oct 07 2009
Posted by Admin as mesothelioma, mesothelioma cancer, mesothelioma treatment, peritoneal mesothelioma, pleural mesothelioma
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Peritoneal mesothelioma is one of the deadliest and most painful forms of cancer. Fortunately it is also one of the rarer forms of a relatively uncommon cancer, though that is small comfort to the thousands of people that must endure it every day. Asbestos is a naturally-occurring, fibrous mineral that has been used in fireproofing and insulation for millennia, and even since these ancient times those that worked with asbestos tended to die even earlier than other people did.
This terminal condition begins when a person ingests the microscopic jagged asbestos fibers. Asbestos is a naturally-occurring, fibrous mineral that has been used in fireproofing and insulation for millennia, and even since these ancient times those that worked with asbestos tended to die even earlier than other people did.
Peritoneal mesothelioma begins when asbestos fibers enter the digestive track and slice through the tissues of the stomach and intestines. These fibers shred through these organs and protrude through them and puncture the peritoneal mesothelium, the delicate membrane that secretes the lubrication that allows them to move during digestion. Without this vital lubrication the organs could not process food properly.
Some of the symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include abdominal pain, abdominal mass , weight loss, abnormal bowel function, fluid buildup in the abdomen, expanding waistline but losing weight and blood clots. During the manufacturing process asbestos fibers are often released into the air, where their light weight and small size allows them to settle in the mouths and throats of anyone nearby, and they can even be carried home where they can contaminate the friends and family of the original worker.
Peritoneal mesothelioma is always fatal. By the time it is diagnosed it is usually so advanced that the only treatment available is to make the victim as comfortable as possible and relieve as much pain as they can. Most victims usually succumb within six to eight months after diagnosis; a few cases manage to survive longer than a year, but few if any survive longer than five years.
Peritoneal mesothelioma does not usually present symptoms until it is extremely advanced, and by that time it is usually impossible to treat. Further complicating diagnosis of peritoneal mesothelioma is the nature of the disease itself, the symptoms are often confused with less dangerous conditions such as indigestion or heartburn. There is hope for victims of peritoneal mesothelioma. New treatments include photodynamic, gene, angiogenesis, and immunotherapy that could hold the key to turning the tide on this deadly, debilitating, and tragic disease.
