Surgery’s role in treating mesothelioma is still uncertain. The most common surgeries performed on these patients are surgical pleurodesis via video assisted thoracoscopic surgery, or VATS, debulking surgery and extrapleural pneumonectomy. Debulking surgery removes the visceral, parietal and pericardial pleura and, as the name implies, debulks the tumor. With fatality rates under 5%, this procedure …
In some cases, it is family members who first come to know about cancer in a loved one. So, how does a family make critical decisions such as whether or not to tell the person or when exactly to do it? Are some individuals too young, too old or too emotionally sensitive to know? Most …
Sexuality and cancer Individual traits, for instance attitudes, sense of humor, spirit, and honesty, contribute immensely to what makes people attractive to their partners. Treatment administered for cancer may appear to affect these qualities, but usually the changes are short-term. It is essential to remember that those qualities are still there, and that it’s just …
Physical changes can occur due to cancer and its treatment. Certain individuals worry about how these changes will affect their body and also their self-image. If surgery is carried out, it can change your appearance. Other types of treatments can affect your feelings and emotions. Side effects resulting from cancer treatment, for instance fatigue, skin …
Individuals diagnosed with cancer often wonder as to whom to share this information with and how exactly to do that. Generally they feel pressured to pass on this information, but most individuals are able to wait till the time they think they are ready. There is no fixed time as to when people start feeling …
Your doctors and nurses can act as reliable sources of information, especially for your medical questions. Prior to your appointments, you need to prepare a list of question that you may have about your specific type of cancer, its treatment, side-effects of treatment, and any activities that may be barred during the treatment. Other health …
Your health care team will first gather all information about you and your mesothelioma. Physical examination, imaging tests, a biopsy and other types of lab tests will be carried out in order to determine your cancer’s stage (extent). In the next step, your doctor will use the collected information to shortlist options and recommend treatment …
When you are trying to gather information about cancer, you first need to know what specific type of cancer you have. You need to talk to your health care team members. Request them to provide information about your specific form of cancer, for instance, information such as the cell type and the progression of the …
People diagnosed with cancer usually feel that the sooner they recover from their cancer, the better it will be. They may be of the opinion that they need to make decisions urgently. They may be worried that additional tests and consultations with other doctors will need more time that could be spent on cancer treatment. …
A Cancer is not like other diseases and nothing can justify someone having it. It is hard to face up to a cancer diagnosis and it is not easy to live with cancer. When you come to know that you have cancer, it is your experiences and personal beliefs that will help you understand the …
