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It is a myth that mesothelioma is a hereditary disease. However, there is likelihood that people living in the same household might be prone to this form of cancer. This is because they are also exposed to asbestos fibers that are brought home by their family member working in a site where asbestos is used. As these fibers are very fine and light, they can become airborne and enter the lungs of an unsuspecting family member.
Mesothelioma cancer is a rare disease that starts in the tissue that makes up the lining of several important organs. These tissues are made up of Mesothelial cells and when asbestos fibers are introduced, they mutate then infection causes liquid to dry up around the lungs, heart, or abdomen.
Ten percent of those diagnosed with Mesothelioma cancer have a prognosis of five years. Reports from Mesothelioma doctors show that the average prognosis for Mesothelioma cancer patients is four months to one year and a half. Because of the rareness of Mesothelioma cancer, it is difficult to produce exact numbers on prognosis. However, the prognoses for Mesothelioma cancer victims are better when it is found in its early stages.
The Butchart system of staging Mesothelioma cancer is commonly used for staging Pleural Mesothelioma, which manifest itself in the thin lining that surrounds the lungs. This system organizes Mesothelioma cases based on the size of the main tumor. It is one of the oldest forms of staging Mesothelioma cancer patient’s illness levels and treatments.
Mesothelioma is an aggressive form of cancer and is invasive in nature. Treatment options for this form of cancer are quite complicated and expensive. There is no treatment which can cure the cancer completely. Treatment usually includes surgery to remove the tumor, chemotherapy and radiation. The type of treatment to be used is dependent on the size of the tumor and how much it has spread to other organs as well as the age of the patient.