What is mesothelioma? What is malignant mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma, more precisely known as malignant mesothelioma is a rare cancer of the mesothelial cells, most commonly those in the lining that covers the lungs (pleura). Mesothelial cells exist in the lining (membrane) that covers the outer surface of our body organs. The majority of people with mesothelioma have been exposed to asbestos at some time during their life.
Doctors usually divide mesothelioma into three types:
Pleural mesothelioma - affects the pleura, the lining surrounding the lungs. This is the most common form.
Peritoneal mesothelioma - the cancer attacks the lining of the abdomen, the peritoneum. This is the second most common form.
Pericardial mesothelioma - the cancer attacks the protective layer covering the heart. This is the rarest form.
All three forms of mesothelioma are nearly always caused by asbestos exposure.
Mesothelioma is an aggressive form of cancer. For the majority of patients there is no cure. Doctors usually focus on improving the quality of life as the disease progresses - making the patient as comfortable as possible.
In the United Kingdom, approximately 2,000 patients are diagnosed with mesothelioma annually. According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), mesothelioma kills over 2,700 people in the USA every year. According to the Mesothelioma register, deaths from this type of cancer rose more than tenfold from 1969 to 2009 in the UK. About four-fifths of all deaths are among men.
What are the signs and symptoms of mesothelioma? A symptom is something the patient feels and describes; while a sign is something other people can see, including doctors and nurses. For example, a symptom may be pain, while a sign could be a rash.
Exposure to asbestos and asbestos dust can take up to thirty years to show symptoms. Often, patients are diagnosed when the disease is already advanced. Outcomes depend on how early the malignancy can be diagnosed.
Mesothelioma signs and symptoms vary, depending on where in the body the cancer is.
Pleural mesothelioma (tissue surrounding the lungs)
Shortness of breath
Coughing, often painful
Unexpected and unexplained loss of weight
Pain under the rib cage
Sometimes lumps may be detectable under the skin in the chest area
Lower back pain
Discomfort in the side of the chest
Exhaustion
Some people may experience sweating, fever, or difficulty swallowing
Peritoneal mesothelioma (lining in the abdomen)
Unexplained weight loss
Pain in the abdomen
Swelling in the abdomen
Lumps in the abdomen
Nausea, some patients may experience vomiting
Pericardial mesothelioma (lining in the heart area)
Low blood pressure
Shortness of breath
Fluid retention (edema), often in the legs
Heart palpitations
Fatigue, extreme after light exertion
Chest pain
What are the causes of mesothelioma? Experts say that prolonged exposure to asbestos particles is the primary cause of mesothelioma. The risk of developing the disease is closely linked to asbestos particle dosage - i.e. the likelihood of developing mesothelioma is directly proportional to how long a person was exposed, and how much they inhaled.
People in jobs where exposure to asbestos fibers are common have the highest risk of developing the disease. Asbestos was commonly used for insulation, soundproofing, fireproofing, roofing, and ironing board covers.
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