What is mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a form of
cancer affecting the abdominal cavity, chest cavity, and the
region surrounding the heart. Due to its uncommon nature,
mesothelioma is typically difficult to diagnose and treat. It
has been connected with exposure to asbestos, a material
formerly present in many work environments. Only about 3,000
individuals are diagnosed annually.
Individuals with a history of
extended asbestos exposure are at the highest risk for
developing malignant mesothelioma. Even a small exposure to this
cancer-causing material can result in malignant mesothelioma.
However, mesothelioma has a latency of up to thirty-forty years,
and many individuals previously exposed to asbestos are now
displaying symptoms. This means the average age of mesothelioma
patients is between 50 and 70 years. Men are typically affected
more, due to the common presence of asbestos in industrial
settings. There are three major types of malignant mesothelioma
. epithelial, sarcomatoid, and mixed. Epithelial mesothelioma is
most common. Symptoms may include, but are not limited to
respiratory distress, a lasting cough, and pneumonia. In
addition, symptoms are often mistaken for less serious ailments,
and many patients do not show any signs at all.
Individuals with pleural
mesothelioma may accumulate some fluid between the lung lining
and chest cavity. This can be detected through a chest x-ray, as
well as CT scans.
Diagnosis of Mesothelioma is
based on a pathological exam, more commonly referred to as a
biopsy. This exam will test a tissue sample for the presence of
malignant and/or pleural mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma Source is dedicated to providing
victims and their families with the latest Mesothelioma news and
information. Even though this is a relatively rare disease, it
can affect thousands of families each year. If you or one of
your loved ones would like more information, please don't
hesitate to request a free information packet.
Asbestos as the Primary Cause of Mesothelioma
Asbestos is a type of insulation material,
which was used widely in the past in the following industries:
- Construction industry
- Ship building industry
- Automotive industry
- Other manufacturing industries
Mesothelioma occurred most
often in persons who worked in the above industries and were
exposed to asbestos in their workplace. The use of asbestos was
very widespread after 1945. However, first symptoms of
mesothelioma may not become apparent 10-40 years after the
initial exposure, which makes it very hard to diagnose. The peak
in mesothelioma cases is expected to be reached around 2010
according to some studies. There are three most commonly used
types of asbestos: white, brown, and blue. Brown and blue
asbestos are most commonly associated with mesothelioma. These
types of asbestos have been banned by most countries in the
1990s.
Asbestos is a very dangerous
substance and can cause a lot of damage to your health. It is
made up of very small fibers, which can find their way to pleura
(outside lining of the lung) and damage the cells pleura is made
of. These fibers can also be carried on clothing, which makes
them dangerous not only to the person exposed to asbestos, but
to their family members as well.
Note of Urgency
Mesothelioma is a
life-threatening disease and cannot be left untreated. The
sooner it is diagnosed the better a patient's chances are of
fighting this deadly cancer. Please contact a qualified
physician immediately if you or someone you know has been
diagnosed with mesothelioma.
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