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Posted by May 13, 2008
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What is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a cancer that develops within the mesothelium of the body. The mesothelium is the protective covering in the body. It covers various organs, including the lungs. The mesothelium is made up of two thin layers. When cancer develops in the mesothelium it is between these layers. The narrow space makes it very difficult to diagnose mesothelioma in the early stages.

Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to treat. Once a diagnosis of mesothelioma is made, the majority of patients will not live longer than eighteen months. There are a variety of reasons for this, including the advanced nature of the disease once it is diagnosed and the lack of an effective surgical method of removing the tumors.

Main causes of mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is most predominantly caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos fibers that are inhaled through the mouth and nose may eventually become embedded in the lining of the lungs, causing damage and resulting in lung cancer or asbestosis [scar tissue formation in the lungs]. It has also been found that swallowing asbestos fibers could contribute to a form of mesothelioma originating in the abdomen called peritoneal mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma generally results from occupational exposure but there are instances of environmental exposure to asbestos that can cause the disease. Oftentimes second hand exposure of a family member to an asbestos workers dirty work clothes can result in that family member developing mesothelioma.

Asbestos insulation workers appear to have the highest death rate. One study reports that almost six percent of asbestos workers fall victim to mesothelioma and asbestos insulation workers are over 300 times more likely to die from mesothelioma than the general public

Asbestosis information

Asbestosis is a chronic and potentially lethal inflammatory disease of the lungs caused by exposure to asbestos that can lead to permanent lung damage, increased risk of dangerous lung infections, and heart failure. Initial symptoms are shortness of breath, later leading to coughing and perhaps a dry crackling sound while inhaling. Chest pains may or may not develop, but the victim eventually becomes weak and distressed upon exertion and, later, even at rest. The time between first exposure to asbestos and the development of asbestosis is typically 15 to 25 years but may be as long as 40 to 45 years. Nevertheless, the key to successful treatment of asbestosis, as well as mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases lies in early detection.

It is known that longer or more concentrated exposure to asbestos increases the risk of developing asbestosis. Those who may not have worked directly with asbestos but whose jobs were located near heavily contaminated areas have developed the disease. Results of several studies also suggest that different types of asbestos fibers may be associated with different health risks. For example, crocidolite and amosite are more likely than chrysotile to cause asbestosis, lung cancer, and, in particular, mesothelioma. Nevertheless, no fiber type can be considered harmless, and proper safety precautions should always be taken by people working with asbestos.

The health problems caused by asbestosis are due mainly to lung infections, like pneumonia, that attack weakened lungs. Early medical attention and prompt, aggressive treatment offer the best chance of success in controlling such infections. Depending on the situation, doctors may give a vaccine against influenza or pneumococcal pneumonia as a protective measure.

Because the scarring of lung tissue associated with asbestosis diminishes the capacity of the lungs to supply oxygen to the heart, sufferers of asbestosis are also at increased risk of developing heart disease. Asbestosis patients are strongly advised to stop smoking and take other measures recommended to prevent heart disease.

Mesothelioma Information

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asbestos cancer information

Mesothelioma : Malignant mesothelioma is the most serious of the asbestos and related diseases. Although un common, mesothelioma is no longer considered rare, mesothelioma is a cancer that is particularly difficult for doctors to diagnose and one that does not respond well to therapy, the chest cavity, abdominal cavity, and the most common site is the pleura [outer lining of the lungs and chest cavity] and others internal organs are also covered by these cells. Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles,

Diagnosing Mesothelioma

Basic Diagnosis: Diagnosing mesothelioma often means ruling out many diseases with similar symptoms before completing the diagnostic process. The initial diagnosis of mesothelioma is often made through the family doctor. The patient will give a medical history, which will include answering questions about their history of exposure to asbestos. Other diagnostic tests include x-rays, CT scans or MRI scans. The purpose of these tests is to try to see any shadowing, or tumor growth. In the case of pleural mesothelioma, lung function tests are done.

Asbestos: combination of several minerals that separate into long, threadlike fibers. Because they do not burn, do not conduct heat or electricity, and are very resistant to chemicals, these minerals are often used for making fireproof materials, electrical insulation, roofing, filters, etc. benign doing no harm, good incidence the frequency with which an event occurs [usually in a group at risk] pericardium a thin membrane surrounding the heart and the roots of the great blood vessels.

Levels of Mesothelioma

Levels of Mesothelioma: Once a diagnosis of mesothelioma is made, the oncologist will want to determine what stage the cancer is in. The mesothelioma is considered localized if it is contained to the mesothelium. If it has spread to the lymph nodes, the chest, abdomen or other organs, then it is considered to be in the advanced stages. Staging the tumor is important because it helps the oncologist determine the best course of treatment. When deciding on a treatment protocol, physicians use the acronym TNM to determine the progression of the cancer. Tumor refers to the size of the tumor, N for whether or not there is lymph node involvement, and M for metastasis, or whether the tumor has spread to any other organs. The correct assessment as to the stage of the tumor gives the patient the best hope for a positive outcome.