Mesothelioma Surgeons
Mesothelioma is a rare kind of cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos fibers. These fibers are microscopic in nature and these can be inhaled or ingested and these get lodged in the protective mesothelium lining around vital body organs. The cancer can take up to 30-40 years to start showing its symptoms. Most of the cases of mesothelioma cancer are of pleural mesothelioma in which the lungs of the patient are affected as a result of inhalation of asbestos fibers. Surgery is the most common treatment that is offered to the patients suffering from mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma surgeons can conduct a surgery depending on the patient’s health, age and the stage of the cancer. If the cancer has reached an advanced stage then surgery is done only as a palliative measure so that the patient suffers no pain, while in early diagnoses of the cancer, the mesothelioma surgeon can perform the surgery as a curative measure too. Here are some of the surgeries that can be performed by mesothelioma surgeons:
· Pleurodesis: This type of surgery is done to prevent the fluid build up in the lungs. The mesothelioma surgeon will make incision in the chest and with aid of a tiny camera and instruments, the surgeon inserts sterile talc inside the layers of pleural membrane. This prevents future buildup of the fluid in lungs. The patient is required to stay a few days in the hospital to allow for recovery.
· Pleurectomy: A pleurectomy is a palliative procedure and it is used in cases where the entire tumor cannot be removed. The mesothelioma surgeon in this case will remove the pleura that contain the majority of the cancer. This type of surgery can control accumulation of fluid in the patient’s lungs and it can also relieve the patient of any pain caused by the cancer.
· Pneumonectomy: In a pleural pneumonectomy the mesothelioma surgeon only removes the diseased lung of the patient, this is done when the cancer has not spread to other organs. In case the cancer has spread, the doctors perform Extrapleural pneumonectomy in which the lung, along with the lining of the stomach and the lining of the heart is removed. The patient must be in good health and not have any other diseased if he is to undergo Extrapleural pneumonectomy as the recovery period from the operation can be hard for the patient.
At www.mesotheliomadoctorsgroup.com, you can find out information about experienced mesothelioma surgeons, mesothelioma treatment options, and mesothelioma lawsuits.