PLEURAL MESOTHELIOMA & PATIENTS IN NEW YORK

Pleural mesothelioma cancer is the most prevalent form of mesothelioma cancer in New York caused due to deposition of asbestos fibers in the lining of the lungs called pleura. Statistically 70% of the mesothelioma patients in New York are suffering with pleural mesothelioma.

Pleural Mesothelioma Symptoms

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma occur mainly due to the accumulation of fluid between the lungs and chest cavity called pleural effusion. Some of the most common symptoms being:

• Persistent dry or raspy cough
• Coughing up blood (hemoptysis)
• Difficulty in swallowing (dysphagia)
• Shortness of breath that occurs even when at rest (dyspnea)
• Persistent pain in the chest or rib area, or painful breathing
• Hemothorax - the collection of blood in the pleural cavity
• Development of lumps under the skin on the chest
• Night sweats or fever
• Unexplained weight loss
• Fatigue

Pleural Mesothelioma Treatment

Depending upon a number of factors like the severity of the cancer and overall fitness of the patient there are several pleural mesothelioma treatment options available the most general ones being:

• Surgery-some of the most common surgical treatments for malignant mesothelioma patients in New York are:
  • Pleurodesis
  • Extrapleural pneumonectomy
  • Pleurectomy and decortication
  • Radiation Therapy
  • Chemotherapy

But recently a combination of these treatments has become popular for more effective results. For pleural mesothelioma patients who are not surgical candidates the Alimta (pemetrexed)/Cisplatin chemotherapy regimen is the first FDA approved treatment in New York. Various clinical trials are still under progress in Cancer centers of New York to help mesothelioma patients in distress.

Pleural Mesothelioma Prognosis

Age and morphology (epithelial, biphasic, sarcomatoid) are the main prognostic factors of malignant mesothelioma of pleura caused due to asbestos exposure. Generally the disease is difficult to diagnose until it is in the more advanced stages. Advanced imaging (PET-CT), histology, hematological parameters and biopsy can be used in diagnosis and helps doctors establish a prognosis. If the mesothelioma prognosis is fast, the treatment is more effective and life expectancy is higher.

Pleural Mesothelioma Survival Rate

The survival rate of pleural mesothelioma patients is directly proportional to a number of factors like the stage of the cancer, location of the tumor, the spread of the disease and overall health of the patient. The patients with malignant mesothelioma in phase III can expect a life of only 6-12 months as per the statistics in New York Cancer centers. However, the patients who are newly diagnosed may have a higher survival rate because treatment for mesothelioma is continuing to improve day by day. In New York various asbestos law firms and mesothelioma attorneys have come up to seek compensation for mesothelioma victims and help them fight for longer survival.

contact New York mesothelioma organization to get more recent updates on the pestiferous disease-“Mesothelioma”