Mesothelioma Definition - What Is Pleural Mesothelioma

It is not unusual for the first time mesothelioma survivor to be confused on what this type of cancer really is. The common term for this cancer is pleural mesothelioma and it is also referred to as peritoneal mesothelioma. This disease usually affects the abdominal region, chest or back. People suffering from pleural mesothelioma are generally confined to a wheelchair.

The first stage of pleural mesothelioma is particularly long and painful. There are symptoms associated with pleural mesothelioma that cannot be interpreted at first sight. However, if you get into a close discussion with your physician he will be able to interpret this symptom correctly.

Pleural mesothelioma, as the name suggests, affects the lining of the chest and the upper abdomen, usually near the ribs. There are a lot of symptoms associated with pleural mesothelioma, which include fatigue, flu-like symptoms, general weakness, loss of appetite, cough and weight loss. The cough that you may be experiencing when you get this illness may indicate that there is some fluid accumulation in the lungs.

Generally this type of cancer affects the lining of the abdominal area and generally involves only the lungs. Occasionally people who have this disease are affected by pain in the lower abdomen and tenderness and pain in the chest.

If the test results show that there is lung involvement then there are some significant indicators that can be used to determine whether you are indeed suffering from this type of cancer. However, in most cases the tests that the physician will perform will not be able to pinpoint whether you have pleural mesothelioma or lung cancer.

There are a number of symptoms that people with pleural mesothelioma exhibit. In most cases there is no significant bone marrow involvement. Nonetheless, these cases of mesothelioma can be treated in a number of ways.

The best treatment options for people suffering from this type of cancer are those that involve surgical removal of the affected tissue and its replacement with a soft and supple mesh that can be replaced by the patient. The treatment of course is almost always successful, as the new mesh can provide enough support to the patient. However, the operation may require a high level of health care following the operation.

The second therapy option that is used to relieve the suffering of mesothelioma survivors who have undergone surgery is radiation therapy. This method of treatment has a couple of disadvantages however.

Firstly, the procedure itself can cause serious damage to the body, especially the bones and teeth that can be affected by the radiation. Secondly, this procedure is not always effective as some patients may be carriers of this type of cancer.

Surgery has become the standard treatment for mesothelioma victims and some doctors have begun to use alternative medicine. A new method of treatment is the use of steroids. These steroids can prove to be extremely effective in relieving the pain and discomfort that people who have suffered this illness endure.

Patients who undergo surgery can also choose to undergo surgery followed by radiation therapy and ultimately chemotherapy. For these treatment options, patients are usually admitted to the hospital immediately after the surgery and often the patient is placed in a wheel chair for the duration of the treatment.

After undergoing surgery and after undergoing several treatments, it is generally agreed that the chances of survival in these types of mesothelioma are very slim. The point to note though isthat the cancer does not always respond well to treatments and it can be fatal at any point in time.