| "> | | | | Thoractomy, which means making an incision through |
| Majority of mesothelioma (cancerous tumor affecting | | | | the chest wall to look into the pleura (the membrane |
| mesothelial cells of organs) cases come under the | | | | lining the lungs and the thoracic cavity) and pleural |
| classification 'pleural mesothelioma'. This is a cancer | | | | biopsy provide conclusive evidence. |
| that originates in the pleura, the delicate membrane | | | | Diffuse malignant pleural mesothelioma tumor is very |
| covering the lungs. Out of these, seventy five percent | | | | aggressive and spreads fast. There are several |
| are diffuse malignant pleural mesethelioma. The | | | | methods to gauge the stage of the cancer. The most |
| balance is localized or benign. | | | | common is known as TNM. T is for the size of the |
| Diffuse malignant pleural mesothelioma is, in most | | | | tumor, N for the number of lymph nodules involved, and |
| cases, caused by unprotected exposure to asbestos. | | | | M for metastasis (spread of the cancer). There are |
| The symptoms include shortness of breath and/or | | | | basically four different stages. Correct grading helps |
| chest pain, loss of weight, cough, fatigue, swelling on | | | | the doctors to decide on the course of treatment. If |
| the face, neck and arms, reduced appetite, and | | | | the affliction is detected at an early stage, the chances |
| coughing up blood. There would be collection of fluid in | | | | of longer survival are better. |
| the thoracic cavity. It may take from twenty to forty | | | | But generally the prognosis (response to treatment) is |
| years or more after contact with asbestos for the | | | | not good in diffuse malignant pleural mesothelioma |
| symptoms to emerge. Because of the time lag, | | | | cases. Surgery during Stage I may help. If detected |
| diagnosing is often difficult. Moreover, many doctors | | | | during the later phases of the cancer the survival rate |
| are not familiar with the disease. | | | | is four months to twelve months. Radiotherapy and |
| Diagnostic procedure consists mostly of imaging with | | | | chemotherapy do not seem to improve the survival |
| Computed Tomography (CT scan), Magnetic | | | | rate. The reality is that currently there is no effective |
| Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Position Emission | | | | curative treatment. Research is on to find new |
| Tomography (PET), and laboratory tests and analysis. | | | | management methods and more effectual medicines. |