There’s a silent killer out there. It creeps up on its victims, attacks them quietly and unsuspectingly, and initiates a wound that develops over many years before it eventually causes pain. This unstoppable murderer is known as mesothelioma.Mesothelioma is a malignant tumor that develops on
mesothelial cells of either
lungs, heart or abdominal organs, and plagues those who have been exposed to asbestos for a prolonged period of time. Many who fall victim to this disease are people who have worked in specific trades or fields prior to
1970s, such as blacksmiths, electricians, millwrights, and oil refinery workers.
Since it can take up to forty years for symptoms to surface, mesothelioma-related deaths are higher than ever in
21st century. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that 1,493 people died from asbestos in 2000, compared to 77 people in 1968.
Mesothelioma treatment methods differ depending on
stage of
cancer upon detection, as well as
patient’s age and personal choice of treatment. The four distinct stages of
disease are a factor in determining
type of mesothelioma treatment that can be carried out. The first stage is when
tumor has had limited growth on
pleural lining (the lining of
lungs). At this stage, an attempt can be made to surgically remove
entire tumor. However, if
tumor is detected at a later stage when it has invaded surrounding areas, it is considered incurable.
Traditionally,
later stages of mesothelioma have been treated with either chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells while radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors.
Although mesothelioma treatment methods have been proven to prolong patients’ lives, they cannot cure
disease. Ongoing clinical trials are dedicated to overcoming this debilitating illness. Current experimental treatments include
following: