Pleural Mesothelioma Treatment
There are many different pleural mesothelioma treatment options, but it will all depend upon how advanced the cancer is and what the prognosis is. Many of the procedures focus on making the patient as comfortable as possible because there is no cure. Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that is very rare. It is a cancer that is inside of the pleural membrane of the lungs. As the cells continue to grow and divide, it restricts the lungs and fluid will build up between the layers.
The cause of the cancer is because of exposure to asbestos. Asbestos was banned in the US in 1978, however it was known to cause health problems as early as the 1930s. Many industries hid these facts from the government as well as their employees. As a result, thousands of people inhaled the product and have become very sick because of it.
The symptoms include difficulty breathing, wheezing, coughing and many other symptoms that sound like a hundred other diseases. Many times, these symptoms don’t show up for a decade (and even longer) after exposure. There have been some cases that estimated the exposure over fifty years ago. As a result, it is very difficult to diagnose, which means that when it is diagnosed the prognosis usually is about 6 to 12 months. This limits pleural mesothelioma treatment options considerably.
The treatment options that are available will depend on whether the person is an optimal candidate, which is based upon their age, other medical issues as well as how far spread the cancer is across the membrane of the lungs. Surgery is considered in a small amount of cases. Other cases have been able to use chemo or radiation therapy and see significant results.
There is no cure, so most pleural mesothelioma treatment options are simply to extend the quality of life or reduce some of the pain until one passes. These may include clinical trials as well as needle aspiration, which will reduce the fluid and help the patient to breathe a little bit easier.
The clinical trials are offered across the country and are completely experimental. There have been some clinical trials that have been successful in allowing more patients to see the five year mark, which is a considerable improvement over the other odds of no treatment. These clinical trials require a list of criteria to be admitted into them and because of successful results in the past, many people are vying for the open slots when they become available.
Since there is no real pleural mesothelioma treatment that will allow the disease to go away completely, the treatments are usually on-going. This means that they can add up to be quite expensive, especially if someone doesn’t have insurance.
If you or someone you know is undergoing or is planning on undergoing pleural mesothelioma treatment, they may be eligible or financial compensation for their medical bills as well as their pain and suffering. Lawyers in your area may be willing to take on your case. Use the form below or call the 800 number to get more information.
