About Mesothelioma, Its Symptoms, Causes and Treatment




About Mesothelioma, Its Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

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 can also 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 of the internal organs of the body. It is composed of two layers of cells: One layer immediately surrounds the organ; the other forms a sac around it. The mesothelium produces a lubricating fluid that is released between these layers, allowing moving organs (such as the beating heart and the expanding and contracting lungs) to glide easily against adjacent structures.

How common is mesothelioma?

Although reported incidence rates have increased in the past 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 after exposure to asbestos. Shortness of breath and chest pain due to accumulation of fluid in the pleura are often symptoms of mesothelioma lung membranes. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include weight loss and abdominal pain and swelling due to a 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 see a doctor about any of these symptoms. Only a doctor can make a diagnosis.

The early symptoms of mesothelioma are often ignored, because they may be caused by a variety of ailments. These symptoms include:

pain in the lower back or at the 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 asbestos exposure. In the past, asbestos was used as a very effective type of insulation. The use of this material, however, has been declining since the link between asbestos and mesothelioma has become known. It is thought that when the fibers of asbestos are inhaled, some of them reach the ends of the small airways and penetrate into the pleural lining. There the fibers may directly harm mesothelial cells and eventually cause mesothelioma. If the fibers are swallowed, they can reach the abdominal cavity, where they can contribute to the formation of peritoneal mesothelioma.
Exposure to certain types of radiation as well as to a chemical related to asbestos known as zeolite has also been related to incidences of mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma Treatment -

Treatment for mesothelioma depends on the location of the cancer, the stage of the disease, and the patient's age and general health. Standard treatment options include surgery, radiation therapy, 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 of the tissue around it. For cancer of the pleura (pleural mesothelioma), a lung may 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 has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or have been affected by exposure to benzene, beryllium, manganese, asbestos, and other toxic substances, their trial lawyers can help. Finding the right legal representation is likely weighing heavily on your mind. Paul, Hanley & Harley LLP, that fight to win for victims of mesothelioma cancer. http://www.mesothelioma-cancer-support.com

cause of mesothelioma

|

The incidence of esophageal cancer is increasing. This article describes the causes, types and symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of this virulent cancer.





Causes and Symptoms of Esophageal Mesothelioma Cancer

Esophageal mesothelioma cancer occurs in about 11,000 Americans per year. This accounts for less than 1% of all cancers. However, the incidence of esophageal cancer is increasing.

Cancer can develop in any part of the esophagus. It can spread to surrounding lymph nodes, the windpipe, and the large blood vessels in the chest, and other nearby organs. Treatment for esophageal mesothelioma cancer depends on a number of factors, including its exact location, size, extent, and type of cancer cells. It's also important to consider age and general health to develop a treatment plan to fit each patient's needs.

Causes of Esophageal Mesothelioma Cancer

Esophageal mesothelioma cancer occurs in the larynx (voice box) and oropharynx that is the part of the throat at the back of the mouth. There is sufficient to suggest that asbestos exposure is a cause of laryngeal cancer. There is insufficient evidence at this time to prove that asbestos is a cause of pharyngeal cancer.

Types of Esophageal Cancer

Squamous cell carcinomas occur in the cells that line the esophagus. Adenocarcinomas occur in the glandular tissue in the lower part of the esophagus and can spread to other parts of the body.

Symptoms of Esophageal Mesothelioma Cancer

Difficulty in swallowing, a feeling of fullness, pressure, or burning as food goes down the esophagus, a feeling of food getting stuck behind the breastbone.

Methods of Diagnosis

Esophagram (also called a barium swallow), is a series of x-rays of the esophagus. To prepare for this test, the patient drinks a barium solution. The barium, which shows up on x-rays, coats the inside of the esophagus for easier viewing. Esophagoscopy is a thin, flexible, lighted instrument (an endoscope) which is passed through the mouth and down the throat to the esophagus to view where the esophagus joins the stomach. Biopsy is a removal of a small amount of tissue through the endoscope to test for the presence of cancer.

Staging

The nature of the tumor is primarily evaluated by a CT scan of the chest. A CT scan reveals if the tumor has travelled into the trachea (windpipe) and large blood vessels or lymph nodes.

Esophageal ultrasound is similar to esophagoscopy, but with the addition of a built-in ultrasound devise.

PET scanning can also be used to evaluate esophageal cancer.

Treatment of Esophageal Mesothelioma Cancer

Treatment for esophageal cancer is contingent upon a number of factors, including its exact location, size, extent, and type of cancer cells. The doctor also considers the patient's age and general health to develop the best treatment plan.

Surgical resection (removal) of the tumor is the preferred treatment. Recently, surgeons have been using minimally invasive surgical techniques to remove esophageal cancers.

Chemotherapy and radiation are also frequently used, either in conjunction with surgery or independently.

Several additional options are available, including laser treatment, tumor stenting, or photodynamic therapy. For most patients, their ability to eat can be restored satisfactorily using these procedures.

A multidisciplinary team: gastroenterologist, surgeon, oncologist (cancer specialist), radiation oncologist, nurse, dietitian, and social worker join in the facilitation of patient treatment and care.

About the Author:

Dave Casey is a freelance medical writer for Mesothelioma-Adviser.com, a popular site to provide help cancer mesothelioma. Visit the site for additional info on mesothelioma asbestos cancer and mesothelioma clinical trials

Copyright 2007 Mesothelioma-Adviser.com

cause of mesothelioma

|

Mesothelioma is one of the rarest cancers in the world that is caused only by exposure to asbestos.




Causes of Mesothelioma Cancer

Mesothelioma is the growth of malignant cells in mesothelium, the thin membrane covering the body's internal organs. This mesothelium lining covers the pleural, peritoneal and pericardial cavities. Pleura is a membrane covering the lungs and it is the most common location where mesothelioma cancer occurs also known as pleural mesothelioma. Peritoneum, the protective covering that lines the abdominal cavity may also develop malignant tumors and cause peritoneal mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma is one of the rarest cancers in the world that is caused only by exposure to asbestos. Its exposure can be direct, by inhalation of asbestos or indirect exposure in which the asbestos particles are inhaled from the clothing, hair, equipment or other articles that were previously exposed to asbestos.

Causes of Mesothelioma Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous mineral that is mined in different parts of the world due to its wide utility in various industries. However, it is a deadly carcinogen too and a mojor cause of mesothelioma and asbestosis.

Asbestos fibers are known to cause cancer of the mesothelium. Asbestos is the fibrous form of several minerals and hydrous silicates of magnesium found under ground. There are 3 types of asbestos, the blue one, the while one and the brown one. Of all these 3 types, the blue one also called amphibole, long and thin in structure is more carcinogenic than white or chrysolite asbestos or the brown one known as amosite.

However, in some cases the brown asbestos has also been found to cause mesothelioma. And it is for this reason that people exposed to asbestos even for a short period are vulnerable to the disease.

Pleural Mesothelioma Asbestos fibers are very fine and easily make their way to the lungs where they settle down in the parenchyma of the lung and penetrate the pleura that later develops malignant mesothelial plaques.

Pleura, which anchors lungs to the chest cavity, is itself a double-layered membrane. The inner layer called visceral pleura surrounds the lungs, while the outer one, known as parietal pleura, forms the lining of the pleural or chest cavity. The two pleural layers are filled with a fluid that helps them to slide over each other as we breathe. As the disease progresses, the delicate pleural membranes thicken and press the lungs. A fluid secreted by the malignant cells, pleural effusion, may also collect between visceral and parietal pleurae that causes problem in breathing and other complications.

Peritoneum Mesothelioma The asbestos fibers may also cause cancer in the peritoneum, known as peritoneal mesothelioma. This leads to thickening of the membranes surrounding abdominal organs and collection of a fluid, ascites in the abdominal cavity making it swell.

Though it is yet not clear how peritoneal mesothelioma develops, it is believed that from lungs, the asbestos fibers are transported to abdomen and its organs by the lymphatic system or they may be deposited in the gut through saliva contaminated by the asbestos fibers.

Pericardial Mesothelioma This is the rarest type of mesothelioma cancer that comprises of only 5% of all the mesothelioma cases. Like other types of mesothelioma cancer, pericardial mesothelioma is also caused by the inhalation of asbestos dust and fibers. The lining of the chest cavity which protects the heart is known as pericardium. It is provided with a natural fluid or mucous that provide continuous lubrication to the heart so that it can work properly and perform its functions.

As asbestos particles settle further into the lining of the chest or pericardial, spreading cancer in the body. It destroys the heart tissues and muscles that is very hazardous to life and proves fatal for the patient.

Laura Russell is a professional health writer having expertise in the field of Mesothelioma Cancer.

cause of mesothelioma

|

The cause of Cancer Mesothelioma is asbestos fibers in the lungs. The toxic disease can take years before it is spotted. When it is Cancer Mesothelioma is very deadly. Like any cancer, early diagnoses is critical,




Causes of Cancer - Mesothelioma

About Cancer Mesothelioma Cancer mesothelioma is definitely in a problematic state with the average person living for 12-24 months upon diagnosis. If you can detect it sooner, your chances for treatment success are far greater. The prescribed treatment of cancer mesothelioma has varying results depending on the location of the cancer cells, the stage of the disease and the patient's over-all physical state. The typical treatments for cancer mesothelioma are radiation therapy, surgery and chemotherapy. There are many different types of cancer mesothelioma and they are all life threatening with approximately 2000 Americans diagnosed every year.

Asbestos is the Cause

This is a frightening fact because most of the authorities that OKed its use were aware of the possible illness. They knew that the handlers were bringing the dangerous substance home with them as well. That being the case, not only were the handlers exposed, but many of their family members were. Many of these family members with 2nd hand exposure developed the asbestos cancer, mesothelioma. When you are told the bad news of having asbestos related mesothelioma, the good news is a mesothelioma lawyer can help you fight those responsible for this cancer. As a worker if you have mesothelioma, the employer or company that put you into contact with asbestos is clearly accountable and your family deserves worthy compensation. Almost all cases of malignant mesotheliomas happen in people who have been exposed to asbestos, on the job or by people they live with. The affected person is able to claim the compensation amount from the firms that knowingly exposed you to asbestos spores. An individual who has got mesothelioma through the contact of asbestos should seek immediate legal assistance to claim the compensation. By simply avoiding contact to asbestos it can largely prevent malignant mesotheliomas.

What are the Symptoms?

At the beginning stages of Mesothelioma the symptoms are non-critical; therefore the disease is not that prevelent and has a fairly good success rate. However with pleural mesothelioma it affects the outer lining of your lungs with symptoms like coughing, chest pains, breathing and swallowing difficulties, wheezing, shortness of breath or loss of weight. These are the same symptoms that apply to many less serious illnesses but you are strongly advised to consult a physician immediately if you even suspect you have been exposed to Asbestos. The incubation period of the can be over years, often many years. A lot of suspicion is needed to make a timely diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma as the symptoms can be very subtly. This is because many of the symptoms are experienced in other sickness conditions. This usually means that Delay in the diagnosis is very common in most of the cases making its recovery rate difficult. Many times the symptoms can appear as non-specific to the patient and their medical professional. One of the biggest problems with pericardial mesothelioma is that its symptoms begin appearing in the cancer's latest stages. Remember that the onset of mesothelioma asbestos lung cancer is almost always very slow: if you are experiencing any symptoms it is not worth chalking it up for a common cold and moving on. Consult your family physician now.

Mostly in the Chest

Most of the Mesothelioma symptoms are caused by excess fluid between the lining of the lung and the chest cavity. You may experience extreme pain in the ribs or chest which is also agitated by the spread of the cancerous tumor. To provide relief from symptoms and help manage the discomfort, the doctor may use a needle or a thin tube that functions as a channel to the chest or abdominal area. This procedure is known as thoracentesis and removal of fluid from the abdomen is called paracentesis.

What are the Treatments?

Mesothelioma cancer is currently treated with 3 types of treatment and the patient's general health and age. These treatments depend on the cancer location and the disease stage. They include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy, not necessarily in that order. They are sometimes are used together to fight the disease. Because this diseases symptoms are slow and steady, the success of many traditional treatments are very limited. Usually before a patient is treated, a doctor will evaluate them first, and then make a prescribed plan for treatment. Unfortunately, aggressive treatment strategies are almost always used, but it really boils down to how far the cancer has spread. Mesothelioma cancer has no known cure but, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and other pain treatments can help the patient deal with the discomforts and increase the life expectancy.

Surgery is Very Common

When surgery is scheduled, many tests are done to make sure the surgeons know the cancer has not spread. When the patient is young, strong and healthy, more aggressive surgery will be employed. Surgery is performed in 2 different ways. The 2nd way is a palliative procedure which is used for the purpose of reducing the symptoms of the cancer and not curing. Effective treatment surgery cannot be performed. Surgery is the most common conventional option for treating peritoneal mesothelioma cancer. The future is pretty grim for those with peritoneal mesothelioma, however new peritoneal mesothelioma treatments are being developed and experimented with every day, so there is always hope for a breakthrough.

Maggie May has been in the TLC business for many years. Her accomplishments include, sex education and dream interpretation. Maggie has a compassionate view to those that feel they have been taken advantage of and can provide moral enhancing solutions.

cause of mesothelioma

|

Diagnosing mesothelioma cancer is often difficult as symptoms may not occur up to 20 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos. Shortness of breath, coughing, and pain in the chest are signs of cancer mesothelioma. Symptoms include weight loss, weakness, fatigue, and anorexia. Abdominal swelling, anemia, and fever are also indicators of the tumor as well.




Your Household May Be The Cause of Mesothelioma Cancer

Asbestos is a group of minerals resistant to fire and has long been used throughout history for various purposes. It was found in the burial clothes of the ancient Egyptians. Asbestos is mined from metamorphic rocks. When this material is used in materials to increase their resistance of fire, it is often mixed with cement and woven into clothes and fabric.

Asbestos is everywhere in your household, from your brake shoes, in your electric oven, and hot plate wiring, it is in the insulation of your house. It is resistant to chemicals, it is flexible, a material easy to use and very much in demand. However, the inhalation of asbestos is the cause of various serious illnesses.

Therefore, the use of these materials in many countries because of their quality are causing cancer yasaklanmıştı.Pazar. In the US, chrysolite has been widely used in various products such as texture and mud coats, sheeting, adhesives and ceiling tiles, plasters, roofing tars, siding, pipes, fireproofing, and the list continues for long.

Naturally, asbestos is in small quantity in the air we breathe and the water we drink. Studies have shown that members of population, who are not exposed to high asbestos exposure, have around hundreds of thousands of asbestos fibres in every single gram of their dry lung tissue.

Cancer mesothelioma is almost in every cases caused by exposure to asbestos. The mesothelium is a layer of special cells that form a membrane around certain body cavities. This tissue produces a fluid that protects the organs. These organs are enabled to move by the help of this tissue. It is mainly in the pleura, and the outer lining of the lungs.

Most people who develop mesothelioma cancer have previously been employed in a place where they inhaled asbestos, or have been washing the clothes of people working with asbestos. Developing it shows no relation to smoking.

Diagnosing it is often difficult as symptoms may not occur up to 20 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos. Shortness of breath, coughing, and pain in the chest are signs of cancer mesothelioma. The latter is due to an accumulation of fluid in the pleural space, which are the membrane around the lungs. Symptoms include weight loss, weakness, fatigue, and anorexia. Abdominal swelling, anemia, and fever are also indicators of the tumor as well.

If the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, the mesothelium symptoms will include pain or trouble swallowing, or facial or neck swelling. In severe cases, other signs will show, including blood clots in the veins that may be the cause of thrombophlebitis, severe bleeding in many body organs, and jaundice, in which the skin and the eyes turn yellow. The sugar level of the blood can drop significantly, and pulmonary emboli can develop, which is when blood clots form in the arteries of the lungs.

Mesothelioma cancer does not normally spread to the brain or bones. Pleaural tumors are usually found on one side only of the lungs.

Treatment of mesothelioma cancer with conventional therapies have not proved successful, and patients have a survival time span of 6-12 months only. This fact is mainly due to the slow forming of the tumors after the long exposure to asbestos. Surgery has not proved helpful at all in most of the cases. Only 10% of the patients who have been operated have lived for up to 5 years after the surgery.

Radiation has proved to be useful in relieve symptoms, although, the tumours are highly resistant to radiotherapy. Most successful of the treatments is Heated Intraoperative Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy which helps the drugs to enter more efficiently into the abdominal and pelvic tissues by way of heating the fluid agent.

There are various societies and organisations which can help you identify the risk of asbestos exposure in your household, and they can provide you with guidance on how to eliminate the risk.

For more information on cancer try visiting http://www.cancercondition.com - a website that specializes in providing cancer related information and resources including information on mesothelioma cancer.

cause of mesothelioma

|

Mesothelioma is not a common disease though the number of patients with mesothelioma has been on the rise. It is vital to recognize symptoms at the earliest possible, learn how!




Mesothelioma - Causes and Symptoms

Mesothelioma is not a common disease though the number of patients with mesothelioma has been on the rise. Every year, more than 2,000 new patients are diagnosed with mesothelioma in the USA alone and this deadly cancer generally affects men than women while older people are more at risk than the young.  

About 80 percent of the mesothelioma cases are connected with exposures to asbestos though rarely, some cases are reported without any connection of having exposures to asbestos. 

These types of asbestos related diseases are generally diagnosed in people who happened to be exposed to asbestos particles for a longer period. Nevertheless, there are people working with asbestos related products for long time and as yet not experienced major health related problems.

The symptoms and signs of mesothelioma patients may not come out early. They may appear after 30 to 50 years from the person's first connections to asbestos regularly. When the signs come, they may give out chest pains, stomach pain, swelling of the abdominal area etc. Patients show heavy weight loss in these stages too. 

When the disease occurs in the abdomen, the patient may experience constipation, anemia, fever and unusual blood clotting patterns. When mesothelioma attacks the mesothelium and spreads further from the mesothelium to the other parts of the body, these patients experiences pain, swelling of the neck and difficulty swallowing. As these symptoms are common with other conditions as well, it is imperative to consult a doctor to diagnose the real cause.

Treatment for mesothelioma depends on the location it occurs in the body. Age and the health conditions of the patients are also significant factors when treating these people. Surgery, radiation, chemotherapy etc are prominent treatments though nothing much can be done for the survival of the patients except prolonging the time factor to a patient's death.

After the discovery of the disease the prognosis Mesothelioma - that you can learn more visit our web site has complete information about Mesothelioma. You can also read more about the latest mesothelioma research results!

cause of mesothelioma

|

Exposure to asbestos can lead to a form of cancer. This form of cancer is commonly referred to as mesothelioma. People who develop this form of cancer were often exposed to asbestos in the form of asbestos particles, asbestos dust, asbestos fibers, or other types of exposure. In fact, many people who washed the clothing of someone who worked with asbestos.




Mesothelioma Causes and the Dangers

People are exposed to different elements in their surroundings. Pollutions from different sources serve as health-threats to many individuals, its not just pollution that causes us problems. Exposure to certain toxins and chemicals can also be extremely harmful to our bodies. One example of a substance that is not healthy but products are manufactured from is asbestos. The EPA has determined that asbestos is a cancer causing agent. Yet, despite its best effort to get it banned in the United States, it is not banned. Many people believe that asbestos is banned, but it is not.

Exposure to asbestos can lead to a form of cancer. This form of cancer is commonly referred to as mesothelioma. People who develop this form of cancer were often exposed to asbestos in the form of asbestos particles, asbestos dust, asbestos fibers, or other types of exposure. In fact, many people who washed the clothing of someone who worked with asbestos.

Mesothelioma develops when the mesothelium or the lining that protects most of the human internal organs develop malignant cells. This lung disease does not provide an instant negative health result. It is commonly felt by a person after 20 to 50 years of continuous exposure to asbestos.

If you worked with or lived with someone who worked with asbestos for a long period of time, you should be aware of the common symptoms of mesothelioma. The most common symptoms of mesothelioma include the following: Fatigue, chest pain, weight loss, coughing up blood, fluid around the lung, blood clots, low blood sugar levels, fever, etc... If you or someone you lived with for a long time were exposed to asbestos on a regular basis, it is best to talk to your doctor about this. If severe enough, it can cause the lung to collapse. To find out if the patient does have this lung disease, doctors use one of several tests.

The most common methods used to discover whether a person has mesothelioma are: Chest X-rays, CT scan, magnetic resonance image or MRI. After one of the above forms of testing is done, it is quite common for the doctor to do a biopsy. A biopsy is a procedure where the doctor takes a lung tissue sample. Once the results from these tests are back, the doctor will be able to determine whether the condition is present or not conclusively.

After knowing the result based on these experiences, and a patient needs to receive treatment to ease some of the discomfort that his or her lungs are experiencing.

To find out more about mesothelioma and what you can do about it click here, about mesothelioma

cause of mesothelioma

|