Mesothelioma

During typhoon Ondoy, I met someone who has Mesothelioma. Clueless about this disease, I researched it online.

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer which occurs in thin membranes (called the mesothelium) lining the chest, lungs, abdomen and sometimes the heart.

Mesothelioma (or the cancer of the mesothelium) is a disease in which cells become abnormal and replicate without control.

There are three forms of mesothelioma:

1. Pleural mesothelioma. Mesothelioma that affects the coverings of the lungs.
2. Peritoneal mesothelioms. Mesothelioma that affects the covering of the abdominal organs.
3. Pericardial mesothelioma. Mesothelioma that affects the covering of the heart.

Mesothelioma is often a very difficult disease to diagnose and treat. The various treatment options include:

Surgery in early stages to reduce tumor burden.
Chemotherapy with agents like Cisplatin.
Radiotherapy.
Gene therapy.
Immunotherapy.
Photodynamic therapy.