Mesothelioma, an aggressive form of cancer, affects a thin tissue covering which surrounds most internal organs. Most tumors are found in the tissues surrounding the lungs, but other organs, including the testicles, heart, and abdominal organs, may be affected. The most likely victims of this disease are patients exposed to asbestos, or patients whose family members were exposed to asbestos.
Patients experience certain mesothelioma symptoms when the disease affects the lungs. Patients may notice unexplained weight loss, painful coughing, chest pain, shortness of breath, and unusual lumps under the skin of the chest. Abdominal swelling, lumps, and pain may result when the disease affects abdominal organs.
Cancers form for a a variety of reasons. The most well-known risk factor for this particular type of cancer is exposure to asbestos. Other risk factors include a virus found in the polio vaccine between 1955 and 1963, and radiation used in x-rays from the 1920s to the 1950s.
Physicians will look for lumps using physical examination and imaging scans. If physicians find a suspicious growth, a biopsy will be taken. If the growth is malignant, physicians will perform more imaging scans, to find out how extensively the disease has spread throughout the body.
This form of cancer, unfortunately, is often discovered in its latter stages. When the disease is advanced, a cure is often impossible, and doctors focus instead on palliative care. If the cancer is not too advanced, patients may try radiation, surgery, or chemotherapy, to combat the tumors.
Mesothelioma symptoms should be discussed with a doctor without hesitation, because these symptoms are also symptoms of a variety of serious disorders. Patients with a history of exposure to asbestos should be particularly aware of symptoms, and should seek medical attention quickly. When patients detect Mesothelioma early, they increase their chances of finding a cure.
Patients experience certain mesothelioma symptoms when the disease affects the lungs. Patients may notice unexplained weight loss, painful coughing, chest pain, shortness of breath, and unusual lumps under the skin of the chest. Abdominal swelling, lumps, and pain may result when the disease affects abdominal organs.
Cancers form for a a variety of reasons. The most well-known risk factor for this particular type of cancer is exposure to asbestos. Other risk factors include a virus found in the polio vaccine between 1955 and 1963, and radiation used in x-rays from the 1920s to the 1950s.
Physicians will look for lumps using physical examination and imaging scans. If physicians find a suspicious growth, a biopsy will be taken. If the growth is malignant, physicians will perform more imaging scans, to find out how extensively the disease has spread throughout the body.
This form of cancer, unfortunately, is often discovered in its latter stages. When the disease is advanced, a cure is often impossible, and doctors focus instead on palliative care. If the cancer is not too advanced, patients may try radiation, surgery, or chemotherapy, to combat the tumors.
Mesothelioma symptoms should be discussed with a doctor without hesitation, because these symptoms are also symptoms of a variety of serious disorders. Patients with a history of exposure to asbestos should be particularly aware of symptoms, and should seek medical attention quickly. When patients detect Mesothelioma early, they increase their chances of finding a cure.
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