Mesothelioma Cancer A Disgraceful Disease

The lining or surfaces of certain huge cavities of our body is affected by a serious form of cancer known as mesothelioma cancer.  These cavities are also known as the serous cavities and the vital organs like stomach, heart, lungs etc are contained in them.  The surfaces which surround these cavities are called serous surfaces.  The main function of the serous surfaces is to protect the vital organs from damages due to abrasion and friction, while they move against each other during routine working.  Mesothelial cells are the special cells which create the mesothelium, the major tissue layer of the serous surfaces.  The mesothelium tissue gets affected by mesothelioma.

There are mainly three forms of mesothelioma. The peritoneal mesothelioma affects the peritoneum or membrane which surrounds the abdomen. Sometimes it is found that the cancer affects male testicles, as the lining around the scrotum is an extension of peritoneum. The second form called pericardial mesothelioma attacks the pericardium, which is the lining surrounding the heart. The third and most common malignant cancer known as pleural mesothelioma affects the lining of the lung cavity.

Mesothelioma cancer starts as a localized tumor, but rapidly spreads to the adjacent tissues and organs. The fibrous cysts and other non-cancerous growths that appeared in the serous membranes were once thought to be benign fibrous mesothelioma. In fact, these conditions do not originate in mesothelial cells, but other cells within the serous membranes. They are localized and do not spread fast.

There is proof that mesothelioma is caused by previous exposure to asbestos. It is a rare, serious, deadly disease and it is during the advanced stages that the cancer is detected. Hence a complete cure is normally out of question and the average survival time after the diagnosis is one to two years. The type of mesothelioma is also a determining factor of the survival time.

Conventional as well as modern treatment procedures are there for treating mesothelioma cancer.  The main traditional procedures include surgery, chemo and radiation.  According to the requirement of the situation, doctors occasionally adopt a combination of these methods.  But once the carcinoma spreads beyond control, palliative treatment, that’s, treating the symptoms is the only treatment option left.

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