Mesothelioma
What is
Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is diagnosed in
between 2000 and 3000 individuals a year in the United States.
It affects the lining of certain internal organs. This lining
is known medically as mesothelium.
People who have had a history of exposure to asbestos appear
to have the highest risk of developing the disease, although it
isn't completely understood why this is the case.
The risk of contracting mesothelioma is approximately twice
as great in smokers who are exposed to asbestos.
There is also reason to believe mesothelioma may be caused
by a radioactive substance known as thorium dioxide. This
substance was often used in conjunction with X-rays during the
first half of the 20th century to diagnose various health
conditions. It is no longer in use.
Types of mesothelioma
There are a number of different kinds of mesothelioma.
Although many people believe mesothelioma is a lung disease, it
can also occur in other parts of the body.
Pleural malignant mesothelioma is the
most common type. It affects tissue around the lungs.
Peritoneal mesothelioma occurs in the
tissue of the abdomen.
Pericardial mesothelioma affects the
tissue surrounding the heart. This type is extremely rare.
Mesothelioma of the tunica
vaginalis occurs in the lining around the
testicles. This type is also extremely rare.
Symptoms
Symptoms vary depending on location.
Pleural mesothelioma symptoms:
- Dry cough.
- Pain while coughing.
- Discomfort when breathing.
- Chest pain beneath the rib cage.
- Shortness of breath.
- Unexplained weight loss.
- Unusual lumps of tissue under the skin on your
chest.
Peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms:
- A change in your bowel habits, including frequent
constipation or diarrhea.
- Abdominal pain.
- Abdominal swelling.
- Lumps in the abdomen.
- Unexplained weight loss.
Little is known about the symptoms of the pericardial and
tunica vaginalis types of mesothelioma because they are so
rare.
Treatment
Unfortunately, mesothelioma usually isn't diagnosed until it
has reached a later stage. Since it is an aggressive form of
cancer, a cure is often impossible.
However, there are a number of treatment options that are
used, and they vary depending on the type of cancer the patient
has contracted along with a number of other factors like the
overall health of the patient.
Surgery If the disease is diagnosed in
an early stage, surgeons may try one of several types of to
remove the cancer. These include:
Procedures to decrease fluid buildup in the chest which may
cause breathing difficulty.
Removing the tissue around the lung or abdomen. A
pleurectomy involves removing the tissue around the lungs.
A peritonectomy removes the tissue lining around the
abdomen.
Surgery known as debulking is intended to remove as much
of the cancer as possible.
Surgeons may remove a lung and the surrounding
tissue.
Chemotherapy This involves the use of
chemicals to kill cancer cells.
Radiation This type of therapy employs
high-energy beams that are directed to a specific area or areas
affected by the cancer.
Combination therapy This involves
using surgery, chemotherapy and radiation together. This is an
extremely grueling type of treatment that isn't appropriate for
everyone. Combination therapy appears to offer the most
promising possibility for short term treatment, but in many
cases, the cancer eventually returns.
Prevention
Prevention may be impossible for those who have been exposed
to asbestos over an extended period of time. The following
workers should take care to observe their employers' safety
rules and procedures regarding asbestos exposure.
- Auto mechanics
- Construction workers
- Factory workers
- Gas mask manufacturers
- Insulation manufacturers
- Miners
- Railroad workers
- Ship builders
It's also important to remember that many older homes have
asbestos components. But removing it can be extremely dangerous
because of asbestos dust and fibers that can get into the air
and therefore, into your lungs.
Check the Environmental Protection Agency website for advice
on dealing with asbestos in the home.
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