Mesothelioma Cure

Mesothelioma is a serious and rare cancer that occurs in individuals exposed to asbestos.  Mesothelioma victims have either inhaled or swallowed asbestos fibers which then travel through the lung and become lodged in the pleura, the thin, saran wrap-type membrane lining the lungs. Mesothelioma can also develop in the abdominal (peritoneal) area of the body.

Mesothelioma is a rare disease in the general population, with between two thousand and three thousand new diagnoses every year. However, it is not rare among the workers in certain trades or  industries and their families. Malignant mesothelioma affects men more often than women with the average age at diagnosis being 60 years.  Symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear for 30-50 years after exposure to asbestos.

Mesothelioma is a highly aggressive cancer, resistant to many current cancer treatments.  Because mesothelioma is a rare cancer as well, the medical community has had difficulty comparing the value of the different treatments. A problem with treating mesothelioma is that the tumor spreads along surfaces, nerves and blood vessels. This makes it hard for treatment to rid the patient of all of the disease. Patients are often referred to specialists who work with them and their doctors to determine the best treatment.

There is no known cure for mesothelioma. However, with an early diagnosis and appropriate care, the patient may get some relief from their symptoms.  Palliative treatment is available through surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.  Since diagnosis of mesothelioma is often made once the disease is too advanced for surgery, a combination of chemotherapy and radiation are often used to improve survival time.

The average survival time varies from 4 - 18 months. Each case is unique, and the length of survival depends on:

• The diagnosed stage of the tumor.
• The age and general health of the victim.
•  whether surgery is an option.

Participation in a clinical trial may offer more treatment options.