Mesothelioma Disease
Mesothelioma disease is a type of cancer usually caused by asbestos. There is no reliable cure yet offered by western medicine but there are a variety of treatments which usually extend the life of patients with the disease.
The link between asbestos and this medical problem was recognized around 1960. Although direct exposure is the most common cause, indirect exposure, such as when doing the laundry for someone who works with asbestos, can also cause the medical problem. The amount and length of exposure to asbestos makes little difference to the likelihood of contracting the disease.
This medical problem also has an unusually long latency period, which is the time between the exposure to asbestos and the time when the disease can be diagnosed. Diagnosis is difficult because all the symptoms such as difficulty breathing and pains in various parts of the body can easily be caused by other medical problems. Because of this difficulty it is often only diagnosed in the late stages when the patient has only about 18 months more to live.
Prognosis is usually poor for this medical problem. Diagnosis is sometimes confirmed by such things as a chest X-ray and other types of scan, lung-function tests and biopsy of affected tissues.
Treatment can be provided and typically extends the life expectancy of the patient somewhat. Radiation and chemo-therapy as well as surgery and immunotherapy can all be used and tend to be more effective in combination than alone. As well as standard treatments there are nearly always a variety of clinical trials testing new approaches. Admission to these trials varies with some trial only taking patients for whom other treatments have failed and some trials taking only patients who have had no other treatment. There is a US government website dedicated to providing this information.
Many patients turn to alternative medicine to help alleviate symptoms or sometimes to attempt a cure. There are many options available in this area.
Mesothelioma disease is also a medical problem which can lead to large legal claims. Many lawyers will take on cases on a “no win no fee” basis.
For more info see Mesothelioma Symptom