What Is Mesothelioma
Cancer is found in many forms. Cancers develop in different parts of the body and progress at different rates. Some rare forms of cancer grow and develop in ways most medical personnel don’t anticipate. One rare form of cancer that is currently making headlines is mesothelioma. Considered an occupational disease, this is mainly caused by exposure to an element called asbestos.
What is mesothelioma, how does it develop, and what can you do about it? This article will discuss everything you need to know about this disease. The video that follows below is a great place to start…
Mesothelioma is Rare
Mesothelioma is rare cancer that develops in the cells of the mesothelium that is the protective covering that lines internal organs. The most common form of this cancer is pleural mesothelioma, which occurs in the pleura, which is the outer covering of the lungs and the internal chest. At least 80% of all reported mesothelioma cases are diagnosed as pleural. There are other forms of mesothelioma that are identified by the location it develops. Mesothelioma can develop at the peritoneum (abdominal cavity), pericardium (heart cavity), and tunica vaginitis ( a sac that surrounds the testis).
There are many ways mesothelioma begins to develop, but it almost always involves exposure to asbestos. In fact, asbestos exposure is considered the main cause of malignant mesothelioma. In fact, the relationship between this form of cancer and asbestos is so strong that mesothelioma is considered a “signal” tumor that indicates asbestos contamination. While there are other ways to develop mesothelioma (ex.: radiation, inhalation of fibrous silicates, and viral infection), asbestos is still responsible for the majority of all diagnosed mesothelioma cancer cases.
Exposure To Mesothelioma
There are various ways a person can get exposed to asbestos. The most common form of asbestos contamination occurs as an occupational hazard. Those who work in places where asbestos is present are at a higher risk of contracting this disease. People may also get exposed to asbestos through asbestos-containing building materials, live close to asbestos mines, and secondary exposure to asbestos dust. Because of the direct relationship between asbestos exposure and the development of mesothelioma, efforts to ban the use of this product are being pushed worldwide.
One of the best ways to identify the presence of mesothelioma is thru the presence of the symptoms. However, this can be difficult given that most of these symptoms emerge only at the later stages of this disease. Among the most common symptom associated with the development of this cancer is the pain in the chest or abdomen. It also causes the production of fluid in the mesothelium that is called ascites if the fluid builds at the abdominal cavity and called pleural effusion if the fluid builds in the chest cavity. This cancer also causes weakness, difficulty in breathing, and excessive fatigue. A person may also cough up blood. In worst case scenarios, intravascular coagulation and embolisms might occur within the body.
Diagnosing mesothelioma is not easy primarily because most of the symptoms associated with this cancer are similar to other medical conditions. A review of the patient’s medical history will help trace the potential asbestos exposure. A physical examination is performed to determine which symptoms and conditions exist. Chest X-rays are used to detect pleural thickening, which is a common symptom associated with asbestos exposure. A CT scan or MRI is also used for additional evaluation. Tests are also performed to check if a fluid buildup is present. A biopsy of particular tissues is done to check for the presence of malignant tissues in the affected regions. Immunochemistry tests are also performed to check for the presence of cancer.
Mesothelioma Prognosis
The prognosis for people affected by mesothelioma is considered bleak. This is mainly because of the damaging effects of mesothelial cancer and the high potential of metastasis (spreading of malignant cells to other organs). In fact, without the administration of proper treatment, the life expectancy of a patient diagnosed with mesothelioma can range anywhere from 3 months to 1 year. Factors that may affect the odds of recovery include age, the stage of cancer, the type of malignant tissue present, the region where cancer cells are located, and the patient’s ability to undergo aggressive treatment. Early diagnosis and treatment greatly increase a patient’s odds of recovery.
Once a patient is diagnosed with mesothelioma, treatment must commence as soon as possible. One of the most common forms of treatment is surgery. The most common surgical procedure performed is pleurectomy, a process that removes the damaged chest lining. In some cases, portions of the lung, diaphragm, and pericardium are also removed if they show the presence of malignant cells. Radiation therapy treatment helps with the elimination of malignant cells and tumors in the affected area. Chemotherapy is also commonly prescribed for most patients. With a better medical understanding of mesothelioma that has developed over the years, other potential treatments are currently being developed in the hope of creating an effective long-term solution for this cancer.
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