The Virtual LPN

WHAT IS MESOTHELIOMA

Mesothelioma is a cancer that effects the lining of the thin protective tissue of the lungs, heart stomach, and other organs.  It can take up to 50 years after exposure to asbestos for mesothelioma to develop.  It is a rare asbestos related cancer.  Less than 4,000 a year are affected.  There is no cure for

this form of cancer, and the outlook is poor.  Long term exposure puts one at risk, but short term exposure can also be the cause as well. Exposure to asbestos can be in industrial settings, auto repair shops, old houses or buildings, ship yards and schools.



CANCER STAGE AND PROGNOSIS

It is important to determine what stage your cancer is.  This helps to determine your prognosis.  Tests will be given to determine the stage (between 1-1V), determining the treatment options that may work best for each individual.  Prognosis is what effects ones survival outlook, including ones overall health, gender, location and size of the tumor, tumor cell type, and the state the cancer is in.



COMMON SYMPTOMS

Few people notice symptoms and do note experience any until the last stages, which are more noticable. This causes people to seek medical intervention. Common symptoms include, pain near tumor, dry cough, fluid build up. fatique, weight loss difficulty swallowing, and shortness of breath.

TREATMENT OPTIONS

Treatment options available include chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. Two or more of these treatments may be combined. Multimodal therapy is a clinical trial that has been shown to improve survival rates.

LEGAL HELP

People diagnosed with mesothelioma may seek legal help. This disease as well as other asbestos related diseases are very preventive. Those companies that exposed the public to aspestos are held accountable through our legal system for their negligence. There are lawyers that specialize in mesotheioma cases.  Over 3.8 billion in asbestos trust remain. There funds are set aside.