Asbestos-Related Mesothelioma Can Be Treated with Alimta, Life Span ProlongedINDEX...HOME Good Sites Exposure to asbestos is the silent catalyst that, in most cases, will lead to the death of those unfortunate enough to have come in contact with this airborne killer. Like fine grains of sand or dust, the fibrous particles of the material find their way into the victim¡¯s lungs, most commonly through respiration. Once in contact with the lung tissue, the small barbed particles imbed themselves in the lining of the lungs where they continue to collect as long as the exposure is continued. Many people who were unfamiliar with their exposure have no idea their health is in danger until a series of symptoms begin to manifest. Some will complain of shortness of breath accompanied by a lack of energy or weakness, still others may simply develop a lingering cough. The diagnosis of asbestos exposure is made by having a lung x-ray and discovering that the lungs are irreversibly damaged by this once-popular manufacturing material. The lesions left behind after asbestos exposure often become tumors and the diagnosis of mesothelioma is then made. Treatment for mesothelioma can come in the form of a drug called Alimta. The drug can help combat the progression of malignant tumors associated with a mesothelioma diagnosis. Alimta, when given with another anti-cancer drug called Cisplatin, can block specific enzymes that play a large part in the growth of mesothelioma-related lesions. Although drug therapy can be excessively expensive, Alimta can prolong the life span of the mesothelioma sufferer. Unfortunately, there is not yet a cure for the illness. If you or someone you know has worked in an occupation or around known sources of asbestos, it is best to make an appointment with a physician for evaluation, even if you have not exhibited symptoms. Early detection is the best way to ensure proper treatment before the progression of asbestos-related exposure symptoms develop. |