About Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma (cancer of the mesothelium) is a disease in which cells of the mesothelium become abnormal and divide without control or order. They can invade and damage nearby tissues and organs. Cancer cells also can metastasize (spread) from their original site to other parts of the body. Most cases of mesothelioma begin in the pleura or peritoneum.
What is the mesothelium?
The mesothelium is a membrane that covers and protects most internal organs of the body. It is composed of two layers of cells: One layer immediately surrounds the organ; other forms of street around it. The mesothelium produces a lubricating fluid that is released between these layers, allowing moving organs (such as heart and expanding and contracting lungs) to glide easily against adjacent structures.
How common is mesothelioma?
Although the reported rates have risen in the last 20 years, mesothelioma is still a relatively rare cancer. About 2,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in the United States each year. Mesothelioma occurs more often in men than in women and risk increases with age, but this disease can appear in either men or women at any age.
Mesothelioma Symptoms
Symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until 30 to 50 years of exposure to asbestos. Shortness of breath and chest pain due to accumulation of fluid in the pleura are often symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include weight loss and abdominal pain and swelling due to buildup of fluid in the abdomen. Other symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma may include bowel obstruction, blood clotting abnormalities, anemia, and fever. If the cancer has spread beyond the mesothelium to other parts of the body, symptoms may include pain, trouble swallowing, or swelling of the neck or face.
These symptoms may be caused by mesothelioma or by other, less serious conditions. It is important to go to the doctor for some of these symptoms. Only a doctor can diagnose.
Early symptoms of mesothelioma are often ignored because they can be caused by various diseases. These symptoms include:
pain in lower back or side of the chest
shortness of breath
difficulty swallowing
cough
fever
fatigue
abdominal pain, weight loss, and nausea and vomiting (symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma)
Causes of mesothelioma -
The primary risk factor for developing mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. In the past, asbestos is used as a very effective type of insulation. The use of this material, however, is declining, because the link between asbestos and mesothelioma became known. It is believed that when asbestos fibers are inhaled, some of them reach the ends of the small airways and penetrate into the pleural lining. There are fibers can directly harm mesothelial cells and eventually cause mesothelioma. If the fibers are swallowed, they can reach the abdominal cavity, where it can contribute to the formation of peritoneal mesothelioma.
Exposure to certain types of radiation, and chemical related to asbestos known as zeolite, has also been linked to incidences of mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma Treatment -
Treatment for mesothelioma depends on the location of the cancer, the stage of disease and the patient’s age and general health. Standard treatment options include surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Sometimes, these treatments are combined. Surgery is a common treatment for mesothelioma. The doctor may remove part of the lining of the chest or abdomen and some tissue around it. For cancer of the pleura (pleural mesothelioma), lung cancer can be removed in an operation called a pneumonectomy. Sometimes part of the diaphragm, the muscle below the lungs that helps with breathing, is also removed.
About the author – Mesothelioma Cancer Support – If you or a loved one is diagnosed with mesothelioma or have been affected by exposure to benzene, beryllium, manganese, asbestos and other toxic substances, their trial attorneys can help. Finding the right legal representation is likely weighing heavily on your mind. Paul Hanley and Harley LLP, which is fighting for victory for victims of mesothelioma cancer.
