What The Mesothelioma ??

Mesothelioma Causes

Mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposurewhich occurs when fibers are inhaled or ingested into the body and become lodged in body cavities, causing inflammation or infection. Asbestos is a naturally-occurring fibrous substance that was widely used in the 20th century in a number of different industries. When the public became aware of the hazards associated with the mineral, warnings were issued in the mid-1970s and use of the product began to decline.

More than 30 percent of those diagnosed with mesothelioma are veterans. Please visit the page on asbestos for additional information about the mineral.

Mesothelioma Types

here are five known types of mesothelioma. The four listed below are malignantcancers, and benign mesothelioma is a non-cancerous condition.

Pleural Mesothelioma: This type of mesothelioma develops in the lining of the lungs, known as the pleura. It is the most common form of malignant mesothelioma, with around 75 percent of cases being pleural in origin.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma: Comprising approximately 20 percent of mesothelioma cases, this form of mesothelioma develops in the lining of the abdominal cavity, known as the peritoneal membrane.

Pericardial Mesothelioma: This form of mesothelioma develops in the lining of the heart, known as the pericardium. Approximately 5 percent of all mesothelioma cases are pericardial.

Testicular Mesothelioma: Testicular mesothelioma develops in the tunica vaginalis of the testicles and is the rarest form of the cancer.

Mesothelioma Symptom

Symptoms of mesothelioma often do not appear for 20 to 50 years after initial exposure to asbestos occurred. Mesothelioma symptoms often resemble less-serious conditions, which can make a diagnosis of mesothelioma difficult. Below is a list of several common symptoms mesothelioma patients may experience.

Pleural Symptoms: Shortness of breath, chest pain, persistent cough, fatigue, lumps under the skin on the chest

Peritoneal Symptoms: Weight loss, abdominal pain and swelling, bowel obstruction, nausea

Pericardial Symptoms: Heart palpitations, irregular heartbeat, chest pain, difficulty breathing, night sweats

Testicular Symptoms: Painful or painless testicular lumps

Mesothelioma Diagnosis

The process of mesothelioma diagnosis usually begins with a review of a patient’s medical history followed by a physical examination.

If a problem is suspected, a doctor may request several diagnostic tests. These typically include medical imaging scans such as:

• · X-rays
• · CT scans
• · PET scans
• · MRI scans

A combination of these tests is often used to determine the location, size and type of the cancer. Biopsy procedures are often requested following an imaging scan to test samples of fluid and tissue for the presence of cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma Treatments

After a patient begins to demonstrate mesothelioma symptoms and a diagnosis occurs, the next step is often exploring applicable treatment options to create the best treatment plan possible. Treatment options range from surgery to chemotherapy and Asbestos.com offers mesothelioma patients and their loved ones comprehensive information about current treatment options

The most common mesothelioma treatments recommended by doctors for patients include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Experimental procedures, including immunotherapy and gene therapy are also utilized by mesothelioma patients. Patients often undergo multiple treatments to combat the disease.

Experimental treatments are also available to patients who participate in a clinical trial, conducted to test up-and-coming procedures and medications.