Pleural Mesothelioma is one of the many forms of Mesothelioma that can be caused by asbestos. In this article, we take a look at some of the key information surrounding Pleural Mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma gets its name from the part of the body it grows in. The mesothelium is a unique structure. It serves as sort of a safety wrap and lubricant. It consists of two layers of organic material somewhat like skin with a lubricant between them. This structure then surrounds the chest and abdomen cavities. It also covers the key organs such as the heart, lungs, stomach and so on. The purpose of the mesothelium is to act as a cushion for the organs while also allowing them to move without being damaged.
Pleural Mesothelioma is by far the most common form of cancer causes by asbestos. It is believed to comprise over 75 percent of all such cases. Pleural Mesothelioma gets is name from the area of the body it occurs in. "Pleural" refers to the Pleural Sac. This is a sac of mesothelium that surrounds the lungs. It allows the lungs to expand and contract without being damaged or heating up from friction.
Asbestos causes this form of cancer through fiber movement. Asbestos fibers are tiny and are breathed into the lungs by those exposed to the substance. The fibers then embed into the lung material. The body cannot expel them through coughing and what have you. Instead, they slowly migrate further into the lung material. Eventually, they pass through it and into the Pleural Sac. Over time, the slowly cut and rip the mesothelium in this area causing scarring and abnormal growths that can lead to cancer.
There is no cure for Pleural Mesothelioma. That being said, it takes as long as 40 years for the cancer to manifest. Given this, early detection is critical to an effective treatment. If caught early enough, some patients have gone into remission after aggressive surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy has been used to remove the tumors and cancerous growths form the body. If the disease is discovered in later stages, the only current treatment approach is to try to make the patient as comfortable as possible in their remaining time.
Pleural Mesothelioma is the most common form of asbestos related cancer we see. That being said, early detection can go a long way to preventing it from becoming terminal.
No comments:
Post a Comment