Top 19 Things You Should Know About Mesothelioma

The disease Mesothelioma is a kind of cancer that in most cases is caused by exposure to asbestos. The disease is characterized by the development of malignant cells in the protective lining of the body’s internal organs – this lining is called the mesothelium – hence the name Mesothelioma. However, it may occur in the heart, tunica vaginalis, or even in the pericardium (a sac surrounding the heart).

1. Prolonged exposure to asbestos can cause this disease, at least 30 to 40 years later.
2. The symptoms of Mesothelioma are shortness of breath (because of pleural effusion – which means accumulation of fluid between the lung and chest wall), chest wall pain, and weight loss.
3. The symptoms of peritoneal Mesothelioma are swelling in the abdominal area, weight loss, anemia, abnormalities in blood clotting, bowel obstruction, and fever.
4. Pain in the chest wall, fatigue, wheezing, and blood in the sputum coughed up are more symptoms of Mesothelioma.
5. When Mesothelioma has metastasized to the abdomen, the symptoms are pain in the abdominal area, weight loss, mass in the abdomen, Ascites (abnormal build-up of fluid in the abdomen), and obstruction in bowel movement.
6. Severe symptoms of the disease are blood clots in the veins (causing Thrombophlebitis), severe internal bleeding in the body’s organs, low blood sugar level, jaundice, blood clots in the arteries of the lungs, and pleural effusion.
7. Mesothelioma is developed by people who have inhaled asbestos particles in the workplace, or people who have suffered exposure to asbestos dust and fiber.
8. Many people make the mistake of thinking that Mesothelioma is linked to smoking, but it is not, however, smoking does increase the risk for other asbestos-induced cancer.
9. If you have been exposed to asbestos particles and have got Mesothelioma as a result, you can seek compensation from your workplace, by filing a lawsuit.
10. Another thing that you should know about Mesothelioma is that its diagnosis is done through chest X-ray and CT scan. The confirmation is done through biopsy and microscopic examination.
11. The prognosis of Mesothelioma is quite poor, even though treatment with chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery is done.
12. The bone, brain, and adrenal glands are almost never affected by Mesothelioma.
13. Peritoneal Mesothelioma is defined as cancer of the abdominal cavity’s lining. It accounts for nearly one-fifth of all Mesothelioma cases diagnosed.
14. Like in most cancer cases, the prognosis for Mesothelioma depends on how early it can be diagnosed, and how well it is treated.
15. The diagnosis of Mesothelioma is sometimes difficult, because of the symptoms’ similarity to other conditions.
16. If the Mesothelioma is in the abdomen, the doctor performs a laparoscopy, to get tissue from there.
17. The serum osteopontin level has proved effective in some cases, for screening the people exposed to asbestos, for Mesothelioma.
18. Diagnosis of the disease includes a review of personal medical history, physical examination, chest X-ray, lung function tests, CT scan / MRI, etc.
19. Men are more likely to have Mesothelioma than women, and their risk increases with age.