Mesothelioma Cancer

Mesothelioma cancer is called many things by many people, such as mesothelioma, asbestos cancer, malignant mesothelioma, pleural mesothelioma, asbestos lung cancer, and a great number of others, but they are all referring to the same thing – cancer caused by the inhalation of asbestos fibers into the lungs. The people most likely to be exposed to asbestos are people that actually work in industries that deal with asbestos such as shipbuilding, carpet installing, building demolition and renovation, and asbestos removal. However, because asbestos-containing building materials were used extensively throughout much of the 1900s, up until the 1980s, anyone living in an older home runs the risk of asbestos exposure.

Types of Mesothelioma Cancer

Mesothelioma cancer occurs in the mesothelium, a thin layer of cells that line internal organs in the body. There are three known types of mesothelioma cancer, each being named according to their location. The most commonly seen form is pleural mesothelioma. The pleura is the mesothelium that line the lungs. Pleural mesothelioma occurs in of the lungs and accounts for about 70% of all mesothelioma cases. When mesothelioma cancer develops in the mesothelium of the abdominal cavity it is referred to as peritoneal mesothelioma. And lastly, pericardial mesothelioma occurs in the pericardium, or lining of the heart.

Mesothelioma Symptoms

If you were exposed to asbestos, or if you believe you could have been exposed to asbestos, it is important to get examined by a doctor as soon as possible and not wait for symptoms to develop. Mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases may not show noticeable symptoms for decades. However, if you wait until symptoms appear before getting examined, the disease will in all likelihood be in its later stages by the time a diagnosis is made. And since there is no cure for mesothelioma cancer, it’s important to detect it early. Doctor examinations should continue on a regular basis to receive the best chance at an early diagnosis. Patients with the highest rate of survival are diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer before symptoms ever start to develop. The earliest mesothelioma symptoms are normally shortness of breath and a heavy feeling around the chest. Although not all victims will show these symptoms, most will. Unfortunately, these symptoms are caused by many common health conditions and are not taken seriously.

In addition to the above-mentioned mesothelioma cancer symptoms there are other signs and symptoms that can appear. For pleural mesothelioma, these symptoms can include chest pain, pain in the side, back pain, difficulty swallowing, coughing, weight loss, and fatigue. Symptoms associated with peritoneal mesothelioma can include nausea, vomiting, pain in the abdominal area, bowel obstruction, anemia, and fatigue.

Mesothelioma can be either malignant or benign. Malignant mesothelioma is the most serious and is often not discovered until its later stages. Benign mesothelioma is known as asbestosis and presents the same symptoms as the malignant form. However, it is very important to realize that asbestosis, although benign, can lead to malignant mesothelioma later. This makes it imperative to monitor the disease closely in case it later turns malignant.

Mesothelioma Cancer Stages

There are four recognized stages in the development of mesothelioma cancer of the lungs, or pleural mesothelioma. Determining what stage the disease is in is important because there are different mesothelioma treatment options for each stage. Discovering the disease while it’s still in the first or second stage is vital and will give the patient a greater mesothelioma life expectancy.

Mesothelioma Treatment

There is no cure for mesothelioma cancer, but there are various treatment options available that can help manage the disease. If the disease is diagnosed in its early stages, it can sometimes be possible to remove the cancerous area through surgery. For example, in the early stages of pleural mesothelioma it may be possible to perform extra-pleural pneumonectomy, which is to remove the entire affected lung along with the pleura, pericardium, and diaphragm. Of course, the treatment options are dependent on many factors including the location and size of the tumor, which stage it’s in, age of the patient, overall health of the patient, and whether it has metastasized and to what degree.

Other treatment approaches include chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Some patients may be too weak for surgery and are treated using other methods. One such method is radiation therapy. Radiation therapy has fewer side effects than chemotherapy and is therefore easier to endure for a fragile patient. Radiation treatment is normally used as a way to decrease pain and discomfort, but is not a cure. It can sometimes help lessen a patient’s breathing difficulties and swallowing difficulties as well as relieve pain or bleeding.

Chemotherapy is also used to relief symptoms of mesothelioma cancer, but like radiation therapy, is not a cure. As more research is done with various drugs and combinations of drugs, by way of clinical trials, it is hoped that over time discoveries will be made that will help prolong the lives of patients or possibly even cure mesothelioma cancer.

Mesothelioma Lawsuits

Many mesothelioma cancer victims hire mesothelioma lawyers and turn to mesothelioma lawsuits in an effort to get compensation from the companies that were responsible for their asbestos exposure. If you have been exposed to asbestos in the workplace, whether or not you have been diagnosed with any asbestos disease, it may be beneficial to talk to an attorney that specializes in asbestos-related cases. Generally, hiring mesothelioma attorneys will not cost you any money because the attorney will take a percentage of the compensation they win for you. And if they lose the case, they will not get paid. For this reason, a mesothelioma lawyer will not take a case unless they feel they have a very good chance of winning.

Final Thoughts

What is mesothelioma and who is at risk? Mesothelioma cancer develops from asbestos exposure. However, not everyone who is exposed to asbestos gets the disease. Most people that are diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma cancer were exposed to high levels of asbestos over a long period of time. Asbestos is a fibrous mineral found in nature all over the world, and most people breathe asbestos fibers every day. However, the amount inhaled is usually so small it will never lead to any known health problems. As a general rule, most victims are exposed as a result of working in industries where asbestos is found. If you think you may have been exposed to asbestos, it’s important to get checked out on a regular schedule. Catching mesothelioma cancer in its early stages will improve the mesothelioma prognosis greatly.