Mesothelioma Articles
Browse eMedTV's wide range of articles related to mesothelioma including topics such as alternative mesothelioma treatment, mesothelioma, and malignant mesothelioma. Use the search box at the top-right corner of the page to find information about other health topics.
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer typically caused by exposure to asbestos. As explained in this eMedTV article, most cases of mesothelioma begin in the pleura (the lining around the lungs) or peritoneum (the lining around the abdomen).
Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that affects the thin layer of tissue that covers the lungs. This eMedTV article discusses malignant pleural mesothelioma, including information about its risk factors, symptoms, and diagnosis.
In addition to reviewing a patient's medical history, a doctor making a mesothelioma diagnosis will ask about exposure to asbestos. This eMedTV article explains how doctors reach a mesothelioma diagnosis by testing for other, more common, conditions.
When the cancer begins in the membrane around the lungs, mesothelioma symptoms may include chest pain and shortness of breath. This eMedTV article also looks at peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms, such as abdominal pain and weight loss.
This eMedTV Web page looks at mesothelioma research currently under way, including studies investigating the effectiveness of new combinations of chemotherapy. This article also discusses mesothelioma research being conducted on biological therapy.
Mesothelioma treatment may involve surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or a combination of these methods. This eMedTV resource discusses mesothelioma treatment and includes information about second opinions, nutrition, and follow-up care.
Malignant mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that most often affects the pleura, the thin layer of tissue covering the lungs. As this eMedTV segment explains, malignant mesothelioma is often the result of exposure to asbestos.
Alternative Mesothelioma Treatment
Types of alternative mesothelioma treatment include acupuncture, massage therapy, and meditation. This eMedTV article discusses alternative mesothelioma treatment and provides a list of questions to ask prior to starting such treatment.
A mesothelioma prognosis is a medical opinion as to the outcome of the disease. As this eMedTV article explains, doctors base a mesothelioma prognosis on factors such as the size of the tumor and the amount of fluid in the chest or abdomen.
When treating mesothelioma, chemotherapy may be used to stop the growth of cancer cells and reduce pain. This eMedTV article discusses mesothelioma and chemotherapy, including information about potential side effects of treatment.
In people with mesothelioma, pain may be the result of the cancer or a side effect of treatment. As this eMedTV article explains, in most cases of mesothelioma, pain can be relieved using medications, alternative treatments, or both.
In cases of mesothelioma, radiation therapy may be used to treat the disease. This eMedTV article discusses mesothelioma and radiation therapy in detail and explains how such therapy may be combined with surgery or chemotherapy.
Mesothelioma stages refer to how far the cancer has spread. As this eMedTV article explains, mesothelioma stages II, III, and IV are advanced; they describe cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. Stage I refers to localized mesothelioma.
When used to treat mesothelioma, surgery may involve procedures such as wide local excision. This eMedTV Web page describes several types of mesothelioma surgery, including extrapleural pneumonectomy as well as pleurectomy and decortication.
The overall 5-year relative mesothelioma survival rate for 1998-2002 was about 9 percent. This segment of the eMedTV website explains how the relative mesothelioma survival rate is calculated and provides additional statistics about survival rates.
Mesothelioma Treatment by Stage
Mesothelioma treatment decisions are made, in part, by determining the stage of the cancer (how far it has spread). This eMedTV segment breaks down mesothelioma treatment by stage for localized and advanced cases of the disease.