Diagnosing Mesothelioma
In order to obtain a diagnosis, the physician will conduct physical examinations, review medical histories, as well as conduct imaging scans such as CT and MRI scans. After the location of the tumor is found, a biopsy will be performed in order to determine whether or not the tumor is cancerous. Unlike pleural mesothelioma, there is no current system for determining the stage of the cancer.
Instead, most physicians go straight to the treatment options. Unfortunately, radiation, chemotherapy, and surgical removal have not been shown to be useful when used separately.Treating the Disease
The most useful treatment options found are a combination of traditional therapies. Radiation can be used to directly target the cancer cells in order to relieve pain and decrease swelling in the abdomen. After the radiation is complete, chemotherapy drugs are then inserted into the abdomen to shrink the tumor. Third, surgery can be used to remove the mesothelioma remaining tumor. Chemotherapy may then again be used. If the diagnosis is made early, these treatments may be effective although a cure is rarely possible. Instead, the goal is often the management of pain and relief of the symptoms.
Ongoing Research
Research studies as well as clinical trials are currently in process in order to determine a way to increase the likelihood of developing a cure for peritoneal mesothelioma. Currently, the only chance of cure is to find the cancer very early in its stages. Persons who have undergone exposure to asbestos should receive frequent checkups in order to decrease the patient’s risk of developing mesothelioma or other asbestos-related conditions and diseases.
No comments:
Post a Comment