Malignant Diffuse Pleural Mesothelioma

Majority of mesothelioma (cancerous tumor affecting mesothelial cells of organs) cases come under the classification 'pleural mesothelioma'. This is a cancer that originates in the pleura, the delicate membrane covering the lungs. Out of these, seventy five percent are diffuse malignant pleural mesethelioma. The balance is localized or benign.

Diffuse malignant pleural mesothelioma is, in most cases, caused by unprotected exposure to asbestos. The symptoms include shortness of breath and/or chest pain, loss of weight, cough, fatigue, swelling on the face, neck and arms, reduced appetite, and coughing up blood. There would be collection of fluid in the thoracic cavity. It may take from twenty to forty years or more after contact with asbestos for the symptoms to emerge. Because of the time lag, diagnosing is often difficult. Moreover, many doctors are not familiar with the disease.

Diagnostic procedure consists mostly of imaging with Computed Tomography (CT scan), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Position Emission Tomography (PET), and laboratory tests and analysis. Thoractomy, which means making an incision through the chest wall to look into the pleura (the membrane lining the lungs and the thoracic cavity) and pleural biopsy provide conclusive evidence.

Diffuse malignant pleural mesothelioma tumor is very aggressive and spreads fast. There are several methods to gauge the stage of the cancer. The most common is known as TNM. T is for the size of the tumor, N for the number of lymph nodules involved, and M for metastasis (spread of the cancer). There are basically four different stages. Correct grading helps the doctors to decide on the course of treatment. If the affliction is detected at an early stage, the chances of longer survival are better.

But generally the prognosis (response to treatment) is not good in diffuse malignant pleural mesothelioma cases. Surgery during Stage I may help. If detected during the later phases of the cancer the survival rate is four months to twelve months. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy do not seem to improve the survival rate. The reality is that currently there is no effective curative treatment. Research is on to find new management methods and more effectual medicines.

Pleural Mesothelioma provides detailed information on Malignant Diffuse Pleural Mesothelioma, Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma, Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Survival Rate, Mesothelioma Pleural Brachytherapy and more. Pleural Mesothelioma is affiliated with Peritoneal Mesothelioma Lawyers [http://www.e-peritonealmesothelioma.com].

Mesothelioma Treatment by Stage

There are five stages in mesothelioma. Stage one is when the cancer is discovered in the lung, chest cavity, or diaphragm. Stage one is also called localized mesothelioma. If the mesothelioma is caught in stage one, there are a few treatment options.

The most common treatment option for stage one patients is to surgically remove the cancer. The two types of surgeries most commonly used are called, pleurectomy/decortication or extrapleural pneumonectomy. The doctor may observe other options such as chemotherapy and radiation especially in post surgery.

The next two stages of mesothelioma, stage two and three, have no known cure. When mesothelioma has progressed to these stages there are still a few options to help with discomfort and possibly delay the growth of the cancer. These options are thoracentesis, which is the process of removing fluid from the chest cavity, chemotherapy, and radiation. There are other surgeries that can also add relief, such as removing part of the growing tumor. Another option in these stages of mesothelioma is to enroll in clinical trials. A clinical trial aims and tests new treatments for mesothelioma and other forms of cancer.

By stages four and five of mesothelioma the prognosis is not at all favorable. The cancer has reached this stage because it has now spread to other organs. Once the cancer has reached these stages the main thing to focus on is how to keep the patient comfortable.

Things such as pain management should be of greatest importance. Hospice is also important. Hospice is when a nurse comes into the home of the cancer patient and helps to take care of him/her. The nurse can report any changes in pain and discomfort to the physician and also help to talk to the patient and the family of the patient. Some other options for stages four and five of mesothelioma would be clinical trials, surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. These options would usually only be used to ease discomfort in the patient.

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