AsbestosAsbestos Diseases
Mesothelioma
What is mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a very aggressive and rare cancer thats primary cause is asbestos exposure. One person in a million will develop mesothelioma in the U.S. This rare form of lung cancer is hard to diagnose and presently lacks a cure.
Mesothelioma attacks the mesothelium, which is a membrane that surrounds and protects the internal organs of the body. This membrane is layered; one layer encloses the actual organ, and the other surrounds it to allow fluid to pass between the two. This fluid allows organs to glide easily against each other and other parts of the body. The mesothelium that surrounds the heart is called the pericardium, the chest membrane is the pleura, and the layer around the abdomen is known as the peritoneum.
Tumors can grow in the mesothelium of the pleura, making it extremely difficult and painful to breathe. Tumors block the smooth movement during breathing that the mesothelium normally provides. Tumors in the peritoneum cause nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and weight loss. Pericardial tumors cause chest pain and painful coughing. These tumors can be benign or malignant. It is also possible for the cancer to metastasize, or spread, and damage other tissue and organs.
Mesothelioma was first recognized in the late 1700s as a tumor that formed in the pleura, pericardium, and peritoneum. The relationship between this cancer and asbestos was not recognized until 1960, when many workers who had previous exposure to asbestos became ill.
This cancer is very rare and is mostly found in people who have had significant exposure to asbestos. There are about 2,000-3,000 people diagnosed with this cancer each year. These cases are usually men who are between 60 and 70 years old. Mesothelioma is also possible in women and children, who have most likely indirectly inhaled asbestos fibers. The average life span of a patient with mesothelioma is 12-24 months after being diagnosed. This cancer remains latent for about 30-50 years before symptoms arise, making it difficult to treat.
Treatment options for mesothelioma include surgery if the tumor is in its early stages. For more advanced stages, radiation and chemotherapy are usually prescribed to help ease the pain. Clinical trials may also be an option for you.
