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Stages of Mesothelioma Cancer

Mesothelioma cancer is a rare form of cancer in the mesothelial tissue of the lung and stomach. Its rarity is one of the reasons why a lot of people not aware of this fatal disease. In fact, many people die of Mesothelioma undiagnosed. Although there now a growing awareness about the dangers of asbestos for health, still many have not heard of Mesothelioma and thus, do not understand the causes, signs and its treatment.

Even some doctors are difficult to detect Mesothelioma because the symptoms are similar to other diseases such as lung cancer and pneumonia. In addition, take several decades for a patient who was exposed to asbestos for develop Mesothelioma.

Being unaware of Mesothelioma poses higher risk because preclude the diagnosis and treatment. People who experience treatment must know the different stages of cancer or extent of disease. Possible recovery of Mesothelioma and type of treatment depends on the stage disease.

Mesothelioma cancer stages

In the early stages Mesothelioma, stage I, the malignant Mesothelioma cells began to grow and multiply only one layer of the pleura. Pleura is the membrane that encloses the lungs and line of the chest wall. However, there some cases where the pericardium and diaphragm cover are affected. In this case, cancer patients still in stage I Mesothelioma.

In the second stage, two layers of pleura is already affected by Mesothelioma. Note, however, that in this stage, only one side of the body is affected. Normally, the pleura produces only small amounts lubricating fluid that allows easy expanding and contract lung. Excess fluid is absorbed by blood and lymph vessels so that there is a balance between the amount of fluid produced and removed. During The second stage Mesothelioma, fluid began to build between lung membranes and membrane chest wall, resulting in pleural effusion. Improvement volume of fluid produced causes chest pain and shortness of breath . Other Mesothelioma cancer patients experienced dry cough and persistent. Diagnosis pleural effusion is achieved through a chest x-ray.

Stage III Mesothelioma means that the malignant cells have already spread to the chest wall, esophagus and lymph nodes nodes on one part of the chest. Patients may suffer severe pain near the affected part. If not treated immediately or when the Mesothelioma patient does not respond well to treatment, the cancer can advance to fourth stage. The fourth stage Mesothelioma is formidable because at this stage the Mesothelioma cells have penetrated into the bloodstream and other organs in the body such as liver, bone and brain. Lymph nodes the other side of the chest can also be affected by Mesothelioma in stage IV.

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