Malignant mesothelioma, sometimes called asbestos cancer or mesothelioma cancer, develops in the lining of the chest, lungs, or abdomen as a long-term result of asbestos exposure. The cancer manifests as tumors of the mesothelium, or the cells that make up these linings, from which the cancer derives its name. Tumors are categorized as either benign or malignant. Mesothelial tumors are very rarely benign, so most often references to mesothelioma pertain to the malignant form of the disease.
Collectively, the mesothelium consists of a sheath that closely covers the organ or organs, a cushion of lubricating fluid, and an outer sheath that contains the fluid. In mesothelioma, the sheaths and/or the cushioning fluid develop abnormal cell growth, which form tumors. The lining of the lungs is called the pleura; of the abdomen, the peritoneum; of the heart, the pericardium. Mesothelioma is diagnosed as pleural, peritoneal or pericardial, referring to the location of the disease.
Pleural Effustion Pleural mesothelioma develops from asbestos fiber inhalation. The pleural lining becomes inflamed. Natural defenses in the body attempt to break down the invading fibers, which can result in scarring and thickening of the pleural sheaths. Extra fluid builds up between the sheaths, called pleural effusion. The mesothelial cells of the pleura begin to mutate and multiply, or become malignant.
The physical mechanics of how asbestos fibers reach and become cancerous in the peritoneum are undefined. One theory conjectures that the fibers are swallowed with mucous, subsequently penetrating the peritoneum; another that inhaled fibers travel via the lymphatic system and embed in the peritoneum. As with pleural mesothelioma, the asbestos fibers inflame the peritoneum, ultimately causing mutations and tumors.
To the best of current knowledge, pericardial mesothelioma occurs when inhaled asbestos fibers travel from the lungs to the pericardium. Researchers theorize that the fibers fragment in the lungs and the microscopic fragments are carried to the pericardium through the bloodstream. Once there, the fragments cause inflammation, cell mutations and malignant tumors.
Pleural mesothelioma is the most common type of the disease, accounting for more than 75% of mesothelioma diagnoses. Peritoneal mesothelioma is a distant second with approximately 20%, and pericardial mesothelioma is the rarest with less than 10% of all diagnoses.
Mesothelioma Latency Period Mesothelioma symptoms do not appear until long after asbestos exposure, sometimes as long as 30-40 years. Sometimes, symptoms do not appear at all. When they do manifest, their generalized nature makes it easy to mistake them for other conditions. Often, patients discover that they may have mesothelioma accidentally, when consulting their physician for symptoms they believe indicate a different, less serious diagnosis.
The dyspnea, or shortness of breath, persistent cough and chest pain of early pleural mesothelioma can seem like pneumonia, bronchitis, allergies or a common cold. Indeed, pneumonia and bronchitis themselves are symptoms of the disease.
As the disease progresses, the chest pain can become constant and the persistent cough chronic. Patients may wheeze and experience increased difficulty breathing. They may cough up blood, experience appetite loss and feel lethargic and generally fatigued. Their lymph nodes may become swollen.
Depending on the symptoms of the individual patient, even a seasoned physician can have trouble pinpointing the exact nature of the problem, which can be confused with the flu, whooping cough, laryngitis, or even just a bruised or broken ribs.
Although less common in incidence, peritoneal mesothelioma is somewhat easier to identify. The abdominal pain, swelling, appetite loss and subsequent weight loss can trigger enough alarm for both patient and physician to demand thorough testing for all possible causes.
While peritoneal mesothelioma may cause weight loss, the patient's overall size may appear larger due to fluid retention or tumor growth in the abdomen. The patient may often be nauseous, have difficulty swallowing, or vomit. Depending on where and what size any tumors that are present may be, there may be bowel obstruction, trouble breathing or hernia. Anemia, a low red blood cell count, may also be present.
Pericardial mesothelioma is very rare. As a result, data gathered on the disease is limited. Pericardial mesothelioma may initially manifest with tightness in the chest and chest pains. There may be shortness of breath after minimal exertion, and a persistent cough. There can be heart palpitations and arrhythmia, or an irregular heartbeat. Often, the patient is fatigued.
Mesothelioma Symptoms Most individuals suffering from mesothelioma of any of the three types experience dyspnea and fatigue in the initial stages. These overlapping and seemingly innocuous symptoms can delay initial diagnosis. The patient may neglect seeing a physician until the symptoms elevate, or broaden into a pattern of discomfort that cannot be easily explained or dismissed.
When a physician is consulted, a definitive diagnosis can be challenging, even if mesothelioma is suspected immediately. Confirming suspicions of mesothelioma requires a progression of tests that preclude rapid diagnosis, delaying the treatment necessary to minimize discomfort and pain, and which can possibly slow the progression of the disease.
It is imperative to recognize that symptoms sometimes do not manifest. If and when noticeable symptoms do appear, the disease has already advanced far enough that treatment options can be severely limited and life expectancy frighteningly short. The unfortunate statistical reality is that, once a diagnosis has been confirmed, life expectancy is sometimes as little as a matter of months, or weeks.
Late diagnosis can be avoided. Individuals at high risk for mesothelioma - those who know they have been exposed to asbestos - should regularly take advantage of the asbestos screening that is commonly available through unions and public health services, even if they have no symptoms. Any conditions that can lead to mesothelioma, such as asbestosis, should be closely monitored for any changes.
Those at high risk should also religiously see their physician for full annual physicals. Their physician should be made aware of previous asbestos exposure, and the exposure should be kept in mind when assessing any and all health issues.
Like many cancers, mesothelioma there a very low survival rate. Early detection and treatment of mesothelioma, however, can ease the physical hardship of the disease, prolong life, and promise a better quality of life while living with mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma Diagnosis Like many cancers, mesothelioma has a very low survival rate. Early detection and treatment of mesothelioma, however, can ease the physical hardship of the disease, prolong life, and promise a better quality of life while living with mesothelioma.
Collectively, the mesothelium consists of a sheath that closely covers the organ or organs, a cushion of lubricating fluid, and an outer sheath that contains the fluid. In mesothelioma, the sheaths and/or the cushioning fluid develop abnormal cell growth, which form tumors. The lining of the lungs is called the pleura; of the abdomen, the peritoneum; of the heart, the pericardium. Mesothelioma is diagnosed as pleural, peritoneal or pericardial, referring to the location of the disease.
Pleural Effustion Pleural mesothelioma develops from asbestos fiber inhalation. The pleural lining becomes inflamed. Natural defenses in the body attempt to break down the invading fibers, which can result in scarring and thickening of the pleural sheaths. Extra fluid builds up between the sheaths, called pleural effusion. The mesothelial cells of the pleura begin to mutate and multiply, or become malignant.
The physical mechanics of how asbestos fibers reach and become cancerous in the peritoneum are undefined. One theory conjectures that the fibers are swallowed with mucous, subsequently penetrating the peritoneum; another that inhaled fibers travel via the lymphatic system and embed in the peritoneum. As with pleural mesothelioma, the asbestos fibers inflame the peritoneum, ultimately causing mutations and tumors.
To the best of current knowledge, pericardial mesothelioma occurs when inhaled asbestos fibers travel from the lungs to the pericardium. Researchers theorize that the fibers fragment in the lungs and the microscopic fragments are carried to the pericardium through the bloodstream. Once there, the fragments cause inflammation, cell mutations and malignant tumors.
Pleural mesothelioma is the most common type of the disease, accounting for more than 75% of mesothelioma diagnoses. Peritoneal mesothelioma is a distant second with approximately 20%, and pericardial mesothelioma is the rarest with less than 10% of all diagnoses.
Mesothelioma Latency Period Mesothelioma symptoms do not appear until long after asbestos exposure, sometimes as long as 30-40 years. Sometimes, symptoms do not appear at all. When they do manifest, their generalized nature makes it easy to mistake them for other conditions. Often, patients discover that they may have mesothelioma accidentally, when consulting their physician for symptoms they believe indicate a different, less serious diagnosis.
The dyspnea, or shortness of breath, persistent cough and chest pain of early pleural mesothelioma can seem like pneumonia, bronchitis, allergies or a common cold. Indeed, pneumonia and bronchitis themselves are symptoms of the disease.
As the disease progresses, the chest pain can become constant and the persistent cough chronic. Patients may wheeze and experience increased difficulty breathing. They may cough up blood, experience appetite loss and feel lethargic and generally fatigued. Their lymph nodes may become swollen.
Depending on the symptoms of the individual patient, even a seasoned physician can have trouble pinpointing the exact nature of the problem, which can be confused with the flu, whooping cough, laryngitis, or even just a bruised or broken ribs.
Although less common in incidence, peritoneal mesothelioma is somewhat easier to identify. The abdominal pain, swelling, appetite loss and subsequent weight loss can trigger enough alarm for both patient and physician to demand thorough testing for all possible causes.
While peritoneal mesothelioma may cause weight loss, the patient's overall size may appear larger due to fluid retention or tumor growth in the abdomen. The patient may often be nauseous, have difficulty swallowing, or vomit. Depending on where and what size any tumors that are present may be, there may be bowel obstruction, trouble breathing or hernia. Anemia, a low red blood cell count, may also be present.
Pericardial mesothelioma is very rare. As a result, data gathered on the disease is limited. Pericardial mesothelioma may initially manifest with tightness in the chest and chest pains. There may be shortness of breath after minimal exertion, and a persistent cough. There can be heart palpitations and arrhythmia, or an irregular heartbeat. Often, the patient is fatigued.
Mesothelioma Symptoms Most individuals suffering from mesothelioma of any of the three types experience dyspnea and fatigue in the initial stages. These overlapping and seemingly innocuous symptoms can delay initial diagnosis. The patient may neglect seeing a physician until the symptoms elevate, or broaden into a pattern of discomfort that cannot be easily explained or dismissed.
When a physician is consulted, a definitive diagnosis can be challenging, even if mesothelioma is suspected immediately. Confirming suspicions of mesothelioma requires a progression of tests that preclude rapid diagnosis, delaying the treatment necessary to minimize discomfort and pain, and which can possibly slow the progression of the disease.
It is imperative to recognize that symptoms sometimes do not manifest. If and when noticeable symptoms do appear, the disease has already advanced far enough that treatment options can be severely limited and life expectancy frighteningly short. The unfortunate statistical reality is that, once a diagnosis has been confirmed, life expectancy is sometimes as little as a matter of months, or weeks.
Late diagnosis can be avoided. Individuals at high risk for mesothelioma - those who know they have been exposed to asbestos - should regularly take advantage of the asbestos screening that is commonly available through unions and public health services, even if they have no symptoms. Any conditions that can lead to mesothelioma, such as asbestosis, should be closely monitored for any changes.
Those at high risk should also religiously see their physician for full annual physicals. Their physician should be made aware of previous asbestos exposure, and the exposure should be kept in mind when assessing any and all health issues.
Like many cancers, mesothelioma there a very low survival rate. Early detection and treatment of mesothelioma, however, can ease the physical hardship of the disease, prolong life, and promise a better quality of life while living with mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma Diagnosis Like many cancers, mesothelioma has a very low survival rate. Early detection and treatment of mesothelioma, however, can ease the physical hardship of the disease, prolong life, and promise a better quality of life while living with mesothelioma.
source: http://www.asbestos.net/mesothelioma/info/mesothelioma-cancer
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