Monday, August 16th, 2010
Although there presently is no cure for mesothelioma, a number of patients are being diagnosed early enough to qualify for aggressive treatments that have the potential to extend life expectancy.
Malignant mesothelioma is a form of cancer almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos exposure most often occurs when asbestos-containing materials are disturbed, resulting in the release of small, toxic fibers that can be inhaled or ingested.
Fighting the aggressive cancer mesothelioma can be challenging for patients for a number of reasons. For the majority of those who receive a mesothelioma diagnosis, the cancer has already reached an advanced stage of development. This late diagnosis is due to the fact that symptoms of the cancer do not arise until the cancer has reached a later stage of development. In most cases, patients do not begin to experience signs of the cancer until 20 years after their initial exposure to asbestos.
Receiving an accurate mesothelioma diagnosis is difficult, as many physicians can overlook this cancer due to its rarity and the resemblance of its symptoms to other illnesses. Because of these challenges, mesothelioma treatment is often limited to palliative measures rather than curative. However, receiving an early diagnosis can significantly improve a patient’s treatment options and potentially improve life expectancy.
Recent developments in testing for mesothelioma have shown improvement in the early diagnosis of this disease. Mesomark is an easily performed blood test that uses an enzyme-linked test to measure the amount of Soluble Mesothelin-Related Peptides (SMRP) in human serum, which can be present in mesothelioma patients and may be a precursor that could aid in the early diagnosis of the cancer.
Another test, known as miRview Meso, is a microRNA-based molecular diagnostic tool that helps to differentiate pleural mesothelioma from peripheral adenocarcinomas of the lung or metastatic carcinomas involving the lung’s pleural lining. Put simply, this test helps doctors determine if a patient truly has mesothelioma or some other cancer that is similar in appearance.
If a mesothelioma patient is diagnosed during Stage 1 or 2 rather than Stage 3 or 4, attempts at curative surgery may be an option. For those who know they have been exposed to asbestos, the key to receiving an early diagnosis is to seek annual examinations that check for signs of asbestos disease.
Those who may have been exposed to asbestos in the past should explain their exposure history to their doctor. If possible, consulting with a pulmonary physician or oncologist who is experienced in detecting signs of asbestos exposure or dealing with mesothelioma cancer is most beneficial.
Additional information about mesothelioma or asbestos exposure may be found through the Mesothelioma Center.
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