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Lung Cancer Prevention And Chemotherapy Treatment

Mesothelioma is an unusual form of cancer that develops in the mesothelial cells that line the lungs, heart and the stomach. The function of mesothelial cells is to protect these organs by producing a lubricating fluid, which helps the organs to move smoothly. Mesothelium has two types of tumors that are called benign and malignant. A benign tumor is non-cancerous while malignant tumor of the mesothelial cells is cancerous and is also called malignant mesothelioma. Recently, there has been a startling rise in the occurrence of malignant mesothelioma cases. In the United States, every year at least 14 cases per million persons develop malignant mesothelioma. An exposure to asbestos causes a number of health problems that include lung cancer, mesothelioma, asbestosis and other cancers. Asbestos was used profoundly in different industries till the mid 1970s as it is non conductive to heat.

Asbestosis is a persistent lung ailment that causes shortness of breath, coughing and lung damage. The risks of developing malignant mesothelioma, increases with the intensity and duration of an exposure to asbestos. Generally, most people are affected by the disease on an exposure to asbestos at their work settings. People on high-risk jobs who develop mesothelioma are auto mechanics, boilermakers, bricklayers, building inspectors, carpenters, electricians, furnace workers, grinders, maintenance workers and welders. They are at risk of developing mesothelioma because of different sources that contain asbestos. Family members of persons working at high-risk jobs are also affected by asbestos. Such a situation arises when people with direct exposure to asbestos bring home the fibers on their work clothes. A number of military personnel serving in the navy, coast guard or merchant marines often come in contact with asbestos and can easily acquire malignant mesothelioma.

A unique feature of asbestos-related injuries is the long latency period between exposure to asbestos and the beginning of the injury or disease. The average mesothelioma latency period is approximately 35 - 40 years. People who are exposed to asbestos and are diagnosed with cancer in the lung, laryngeal or esophageal can make a claim against the companies that manufactured or used asbestos products.

One of the main forms of lung cancer treatment is systemic chemotherapy. This form of treatment is useful when the cancer has spread to organs outside of the lungs. A chemotherapy drug is introduced into the bloodstream through the vein or mouth and reach all areas of the body. Systemic chemotherapy is usually used in combination with radiation therapy. Treatment is on an outpatient basis, however, some cases may require hospitalization. The chemotherapy drugs kill the cancer cells, but is known to cause temporary side effects such has thinning of the hair, nausea, vomiting, and skin rash, among others. However, doctors use other special drugs to alleviate the side effects. This form of treatment is useful since the cancer killing drug is able to destroy cancer cells and prevent them from spreading to other organs in the body.

As with other forms of lung cancer treatment, the aim of chemotherapy is to destroy cancer cells that cause lung cancer. However, it is also considered as palliative treatment and is normally administered in combination with other forms of treatment. Doctors usually decide on the course of treatment depending on the severity of the case.