- Mesothelioma
- Mesothelioma Facts
- Mesothelioma Symptoms
- Mesothelioma Awareness
- Mesothelioma Lung Cancer
- Mesothelioma Causes
- Mesothelioma Risk Factors
- Mesothelioma Incidence
- Mesothelioma Diagnosis
- Mesothelioma Tests
- Mesothelioma Biopsy
- Mesothelioma Blood Test
- Mesothelioma Pathology
- Mesothelioma Prognosis
- Mesothelioma Life Expectancy
- Mesothelioma Life Span
- Mesothelioma Survival Rate
- Mesothelioma Survivors
- Mesothelioma Death Rate
- Mesothelioma Types
- Pleural Mesothelioma
- Peritoneal Mesothelioma
- Pericardial Mesothelioma
- Well-Differentiated Papillary Mesothelioma
- Malignant Mesothelioma
- Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma
- Biphasic Mesothelioma
- Epithelial Mesothelioma
- Mesothelioma Staging
- Mesothelioma Metastasis
Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the body's mesothelium - the thin, protective cellular lining covering many internal organs. First discovered in the early 1900s, this rare, aggressive cancer is caused by exposure to asbestos, a group of silicate minerals found in nature. Asbestos is thought to have been in use more than 4,000 years ago, when it is believed that some ancient cultures used it to strengthen their clothing, cooking utensils and earthenware pots.
More recently, this group of minerals came into wide use during the 20th century for a variety of commercial applications. Because of its great tensile strength, sound absorption and resistance to chemical, electrical, heat and fire damage, it has been used in hundreds of building products and in various manufacturing processes. Use in many countries has now been banned since it has been discovered that asbestos is highly carcinogenic and exposure is now known to cause a serious, incurable disease called mesothelioma (or asbestosis).
Mesothelioma Types
While most people diagnosed with mesothelioma are suspected to have acquired asbestos contamination in the workplace, others are known to have contracted it second-hand, such as breathing in the dust or particles while washing clothing that has been laden with the mineral. Some are also suspected of having been contaminated through casual contact in the home, such as rubbing up against pipes or ducts that have been insulated with asbestos. The two most common ways of asbestos entering the body are through inhalation and ingestion.
While in later stages of the disease, mesothelioma is known to spread rampantly throughout the body, initially, one of four organs is primarily affected:
- Lungs
- Abdomen
- Heart
- Testicles
It is the thin cellular wall surrounding these organs, the mesothelium, where the asbestos fibers become lodged. Once there, the development of cancerous tumors begins. When this happens, the destructive process is underway for which there is currently no known cure. Those diagnosed in the early stages have the best chance for the longest survival through various treatments such as surgery, chemo and radiation therapies. However, early detection is rare because the latency period for this disease is especially long. Many who are finally diagnosed with mesothelioma had their exposure decades earlier and the condition has been left to incubate, undeterred, for many years.
Symptoms of Mesothelioma
In addition to the extremely long incubation period of the disease, another confusing aspect is that the typical symptoms are often misdiagnosed as an indication of some other, less serious condition. General symptoms include:
- Shortness of breath
- Side and/or chest pain
- Unexpected weight loss
- Pleural effusion (fluid surrounding the lungs)
- Violent coughing
- Fatigue
- Raspy or wheezing breath sounds
Those exhibiting any of these symptoms persistently who have even the slightest suspicion of having been exposed to asbestos in their past should consider consulting a specialist to rule out the possibility of mesothelioma. Even living in a house built before the 1970s can indicate possible asbestos contamination.