Mesothelioma is a disease in which cancer cells forms in the lining
of the abdomen or chest, which is also known as malignant mesothelioma. It is occurs when
malignant (cancer) cells are found in the pleura (the thin layer of tissues
that lines the chest cavity and cover the lungs) or the peritoneum (the thin
layer of tissues that lines the abdomen and covers most of the organs in the
abdomen).
*Exposure to asbestos can affect the risk of
malignant mesothelioma
Anything that increases your chances of having a disease is known as a
risk factor. Having a risk factor does not mean one would get cancer; not
having risk factors doesn’t mean one wouldn’t get cancer. Talk to a specialized
doctor if you know you are at risk. Many people with malignant mesothelioma have worked or lived in a place where they inhaled
or swallowed asbestos, after been exposed to asbestos it takes a lot of time
for these asbestos to form. Other risk factors are:
*Living with a person who works near asbestos
*Being exposed to certain virus.
Possible signs of malignant mesothelioma
include shortness of breath and pains under the rib cage.
Sometimes the cancer causes fluid to collect around the
lung or in the abdomen. These symptoms may be caused by the fluid or
malignant mesothelioma. Other conditions may cause the same
symptoms. Check with your doctor if you have any of the following problems:
*Pain under the rib cage.
*Pain or swelling in the abdomen.
*Lumps in the abdomen.
*Weight loss for no known reason.
Tests that examine the inside of the chest and abdomen are
used to detect (find) and diagnose malignant mesothelioma.
Sometimes it is hard to tell the difference between
malignant mesothelioma and lung cancer. The following tests and
procedures may be used:
*Physical exam and
history: An exam of the body to check
general signs of health, including checking for signs of disease, such as lumps
or anything else that seems unusual. A history of the patient’s health habits,
exposure to asbestos, past illnesses and treatments will also be taken.
*Chest x-ray: An x-ray of the organs and bones inside the chest. An x-ray
is a type of energy beam that can go through the body and onto film, making a
picture of areas inside the body.
*Theracoscopy: An incision (cut) is made between two ribs and a theracoscope (a
thin, tube-like instrument with a light and a lens for viewing) is
inserted into the chest.
*Peritoneoscopy: An incision (cut) is made in the abdominal wall and a
peritoneoscope (a thin, tube-like instrument with a light and a lens for
viewing) is inserted into the abdomen.
*Laparotomy: An incision (cut) is made in the wall of the abdomen to check
the inside of the abdomen for signs of disease.
*Thoracomy: An incision (cut) is made between two ribs to check inside the
chest for signs of disease.
*Bronchoscopy: A procedure to look inside the trachea and
large airways in the lung for abnormal areas. A bronchoscope is
inserted through the nose or mouth into the trachea and lungs. A bronchoscope
is a thin, tube-like instrument with a light and a lens for viewing. It may
also have a tool to remove tissue samples, which are checked under a microscope
for signs of cancer.
*cytologic exam: An exam of cells under a microscope (by pathologist) to check
for anything abnormal. For mesothelioma, fluid is taken from
around the lungs or from the abdomen. A pathologist a checks the cells in the
fluid.
* The size of the tumor.
* Whether the
tumor can be removed completely by sugery.
* The amount of
fluid in the chest or abdomen.
* The patient's
age and general health, including lung and heart health.
* The type of mesothelioma cancer cells and how
they look under a microscope.
Mesothelioma Treatments
Because of mesothelioma’s
great latency period, treating mesothelioma is difficult, but there is hope in
recent research and clinical trials. Current medical treatment options include
chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery, and most patients choose to undergo a
combination of these processes in order to increase their life expectancy. But
survivors of mesothelioma have shown that treatment goes beyond hospitals,
and that prognosis can be better for patients through healthy dieting, regular
exercise and a variety of alternative therapies. Additionally, experimental
treatments are available to individual patients depending on their stage
progression.
*Prognosis
The prognosis for malignant mesothelioma is rarely favorable,
which is why early diagnosis is so incredibly important. Yet as mentioned
above, there are great strides being taken in the medical and scientific
communities to ensure that life expectancy and survival rates continue to climb
for patients as researchers continue to find a cure.
