Mesothelioma Surgeries
Mesothelioma is a kind of cancer that is mostly found in people who have a history of working with asbestos containing products. Asbestos is made up of microscopic fibers, that when broken can get inhaled or ingested and these fibers can get lodged in body organs and cause mesothelioma tumors. The symptoms of mesothelioma take up to 30-40 years to show up and by that time the cancer is already in its advanced stage. This disorder is also very tough to diagnose as the symptoms are very much similar to other kinds of cancer and the only differentiating factor can be the patient’s encounter with mesothelioma in the past.
Mesothelioma Surgery
The surgery for mesothelioma patients is conducted to remove the infected tissue or cancer causing tumors. The decision for surgery depends on the patient’s health, age, stage of the mesothelioma and the spread of the mesothelioma to other organs. If the presence of mesothelioma is in the early stages then surgery might be suggested as a curative treatment, but if the mesothelioma has spread in other parts of the body the doctors might choose to do a palliative surgery that can relieve the patient from the pain and discomfort.
Types of Mesothelioma Surgeries
There are various types of mesothelioma surgeries that can be performed on the patient depending on the general factors like fitness of patient, age, and the stage of mesothelioma. More often the kind of surgery to be done is decided by the doctor after due consideration with the patient. Some of the more common types of mesothelioma surgeries are discussed as following:
· Pleurodesis: This surgery is done to prevent further fluid accumulation in lungs. The surgeon makes small incisions in the chest and inserts tiny instruments through the cuts. The lining of the chest cavity is then filled with sterile talc that prevents any further build up of fluid.
· Pleurectomy: In this kind of surgery, the whole lining surrounding the lung that contains the mesothelioma is removed. This surgery is not a cure as such, but it can stop any kind of fluid accumulation in the lungs and also relieve the patient from any pain that he might have been feeling.
· Pneumonectomy: This surgery is carried out only in the highly advanced stages of mesothelioma. The whole lung is removed in this surgery and if the cancer has spread to other mesothelial layers, then whole diaphragm or lining of the heart might also be removed.
At www.mesotheliomadoctorsgroup.com, you can learn about various mesothelioma surgeries, mesothelioma treatments, and legal cases for mesothelioma. Browse through our site for more information.
Wedge Resection: A surgical procedure to remove a triangle-shaped slice of tissue. It may be used to remove a tumor and a small amount of normal tissue around it.
