Mesothelioma how does it kill you

According to estimates from the National Institutes of Health NIH , 11 million people were exposed to asbestos from to Today, most people who get any type of mesothelioma are diagnosed during Stage 3 or 4 the late or end stages. This is why early detection is so important, and why the symptoms need to be recognized as soon as possible.

When asbestos fibers are inhaled, they become trapped in the lining of the lungs pleura , causing irritation and inflammation — which leads to thickening in the pleura layers, in addition to fluid buildup around the lungs. All the fluid and thickening around the lungs prevent them from fully expanding, causing chest discomfort and pain when breathing.

Cancer is a serious disease, the treatment may take a long time and can be demanding, and there are many periods of waiting and uncertainty. There is no right way to feel — experiencing a range of emotions is normal. The intense feelings may be constant, or they may come and go. You may find that some pass with time, while others last longer.

At times, it may feel like you're on an emotional roller-coaster. Everyone is different, and you need to deal with the diagnosis in your own way. As you navigate this challenging time, it may be reassuring to know that your reactions are natural, there are different ways to manage the emotional impact, and support is available.

You may also experience difficulty sleeping, constipation, and a lack of appetite and weight loss. Find out more about managing mesothelioma symptoms or ask your treatment team for further information. You can also call Cancer Council Tel. Having mesothelioma and treatment can change the way you feel about yourself, other people, relationships and sex.

These changes can be very upsetting and hard to talk about. Doctors and nurses are very understanding and can give you support.

You can ask for a referral to a counsellor or therapist who specialises in body image, sex and relationships. For many people, mesothelioma is diagnosed at an advanced stage, and the main aim of treatment is to manage symptoms and keep them under control for as long as possible.

Treating symptoms will help improve your quality of life. Treatment may slow tumour growth and make you feel better and help you live longer. This is called palliative treatment. Many people think that palliative care is for people who are dying but palliative care is for any stage of advanced cancer.

There are doctors, nurses and other people who specialise in palliative care. Palliative treatment may be given alone or in combination with chemotherapy, radiation therapy or immunotherapy. It can help in these ways:. Some people who develop mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure may be able to claim compensation.

Your legal entitlements will depend on the state or territory in which you were exposed to asbestos. In some cases, the exposure may have occurred overseas. Mesothelioma takes a long time to develop, so you may have been exposed to asbestos some 40 years ago. You might think it was a minor exposure, or you may not remember any exposure.

It is important to talk to a lawyer or law firm experienced in this area of work. They will explain what compensation you may be able to claim and help make the process easy for you to understand. You can get financial and legal support from Cancer Council by calling Tel. Caring for someone with cancer can be difficult sometimes. If you are caring for someone with mesothelioma, these organisations can help:. This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:.

Around 75 per cent of Melbourne's air pollution is caused by vehicle emissions. When asbestos fibres become airborne, people working with asbestos may inhale particles which remain in their lungs. Aspergillus is a fungus that commonly grows on rotting vegetation. It can cause asthma symptoms. Asthma cannot be cured, but with good management people with asthma can lead normal, active lives. Before a biopsy, you need to discuss a range of issues with your doctor or surgeon.

Your web browser is no longer supported by Microsoft. Update your browser for more security, speed and compatibility. If you are looking for mesothelioma support, please contact our Patient Advocates at Toll Free Stages Stage 4 Symptoms Causes Diagnosis. Order Yours Now. Find a Doctor Dr. David Sugarbaker Dr. Paul Sugarbaker Dr. Get Help Now. Asbestos Cancer Lung Cancer. Read More. See if You Qualify for Trust Funds.

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I have a question after reading this article. Did this article help you? Full Name. You will have more treatment options for your mesothelioma if you are in good health otherwise. People who do not suffer from other chronic health problems, such as heart disease or diabetes, and those who have a high level of fitness, eat right and do not smoke, will have more options for treatment than those who are in poor health. While a mesothelioma diagnosis is serious, within the last several years, research on the disease has led to significant advancements in new and novel ways to treat cancer.

Some of the newer technologies and therapies include the study of biomarkers in the blood for earlier diagnosis and the possibility of using immunotherapy to treat the disease. Because of these potential advancements, survival rates for mesothelioma have improved somewhat in the past decade. It is hoped as cancer research continues and medical professionals continue to enhance treatment options that survival rates will continue to get better each year.

If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma by a doctor, you should work with your medical professional to develop the most aggressive treatment plan considering your specific diagnosis and overall health. Complete the form or call us toll free Stage 2 : Median survival time is 19 months. Stage 3 : Median survival time is 16 months.

Stage 4 : Median survival time is 12 months. To improve your chances of survival below is important information to be aware of. SEE ALSO: Asbestosis vs Mesothelioma Unfortunately, many people who get mesothelioma are not diagnosed until the disease is in its later stages and has spread throughout the body.

Start Aggressive Treatments Immediately No matter when you have your mesothelioma diagnosis, you should start treatment right away. Surgery can also be an option for later stages, if only to provide palliative care to reduce pain by removing fluid from the pleural area. Chemotherapy : May be used to reduce the size of mesothelioma tumors or kill them completely.