Mesothelioma Overview
Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that typically affects the lining of the lungs, heart and abdomen.Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that can develop in the membrane that lines the lungs, called the mesothelium. |
Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer that affects the mesothelium causing cells in the membrane to become cancerous and divide rapidly. This causes the thickening of the membrane, fluid buildup and the formation of tumors. This can result in difficulty breathing, nausea, fatigue and a myriad of other concerns.
Mesothelioma Causes
Mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure which occurs when fibers are inhaled or ingested into the body and become lodged in body cavities, causing inflammation or infection. Asbestos is a naturally-occurring fibrous substance that was widely used in the 20th century in a number of different industries. When the public became aware of the hazards associated with the mineral, warnings were issued in the mid-1970s and use of the product began to decline.More than 30 percent of those diagnosed with mesothelioma are veterans. Please visit the page on asbestos for additional information about the mineral.
Mesothelioma Types
There are five known types of mesothelioma. The four listed below are malignant cancers, and benign mesothelioma is a non-cancerous condition.Once asbestos is inhaled it can effect many of the bodys different organs including the throat, lungs, stomach, heart and testicles. |
Peritoneal Mesothelioma: Comprising approximately 25 percent of mesothelioma cases, this form of mesothelioma develops in the lining of the abdominal cavity, known as the peritoneal membrane.
Pericardial Mesothelioma: This form of mesothelioma develops in the lining of the heart, known as the pericardium. Approximately 5 percent of all mesothelioma cases are pericardial.
Testicular Mesothelioma: Testicular mesothelioma develops in the tunica vaginalis of the testicles and is the rarest form of the cancer.
Mesothelioma Symptoms
Symptoms of mesothelioma often do not appear for 20 to 50 years after initial exposure to asbestos occurred. Mesothelioma symptoms often resemble less-serious conditions, which can make diagnosis difficult. Below is a list of several common symptoms mesothelioma patients may experience.Pleural Symptoms: Shortness of breath, chest pain, persistent cough, fatigue, lumps under the skin on the chest
Peritoneal Symptoms: Weight loss, abdominal pain and swelling, bowel obstruction, nausea
Pericardial Symptoms: Heart palpitations, irregular heartbeat, chest pain, difficulty breathing, night sweats
Testicular Symptoms: Painful or painless testicular lumps
Mesothelioma Diagnosis
A medical exam is the first step in diagnosing an asbestos-related illness. |
- X-rays
- CT scans
- PET scans
- MRI scans
Mesothelioma Treatments
After a patient begins to demonstrate mesothelioma symptoms and a diagnosis occurs, the next step is often exploring applicable treatment options to create the best treatment plan possible. Treatment options range from surgery to chemotherapy and Asbestos.com offers mesothelioma patients and their loved ones comprehensive information about current treatment options and new developments in a complimentary informational packet available here.There are a variety of treatment options for mesothelioma patients including radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery. |
Experimental treatments are also available to patients who participate in a clinical trial, conducted to test up-and-coming procedures and medications.
Mesothelioma Legal Issues
The dangers of asbestos exposure were known long before any efforts were made to protect workers. Thousands of American workers were exposed to asbestos during the 20th century, and were often unaware of the hazards of exposure.Companies that produced asbestos-containing products or used these products on a daily basis are liable for their negligence in failing to protect their workers. If you or a loved one has developed mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease as a result of asbestos exposure, you may wish to speak with an attorney to seek compensation to help cover medical expenses, lost income and pain and suffering. For more information about legal options please click here.
Sources:
- Castleman, B. Asbestos: Medical and Legal Aspects. Aspen Publishers: New York. 2005.
- Dodson, R. and Hammar, S. Asbestos: Risk Assessment, Epidemiology, and Health Effects. Taylor & Francis: Boca Raton. 2006.
- http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/mesothelioma/DS00779/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print
- http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_3X_How_is_malignant _mesothelioma_diagnosed_29.asp?sitearea
- http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_1X_What_are_the_key_statistics_for_malignant _mesothelioma_29.asp?sitearea
- http://www.cancer.org/downloads/PUB/DOCS/SECTION28/89.pdf
- http://www.marf.org/Resources/UnderstandingMeso/MesoDetails.html
- http://sup.ultrakohl.com/Uscap/uscap05/meso3.htm
- http://medind.nic.in/ibq/t04/i3/ibqt04i3p142.pdf
- http://www.cancerbackup.org.uk/Aboutcancer/Whatiscancer/Whatiscancer/related_faqs/QAs/502
- http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000116.htm
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