| What is mesothelioma? | | | | - Peritoneal mesothelioma comprises weight loss and |
| The pericardium is the mesothelial tissue that surrounds | | | | abdominal pain and a bulging abdomen due to |
| and acts as a safeguard to the heart. The pleural | | | | accumulation of fluid |
| mesothelium membrane covers the lungs and chest | | | | - Bowel obstruction, blood clotting abnormalities, anemia, |
| cavity and peritoneum is the mesothelial tissue that | | | | and fever |
| enfolds the organs in the abdominal cavity. | | | | - Pain, trouble swallowing, or swelling of the neck or |
| What is actually cancer mesothelioma? | | | | face |
| Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the | | | | However, a registered medical practitioner can |
| mesothelium, a dual layered membrane with which our | | | | diagnose you correctly. |
| chest, lungs, abdomen and the heart is wrapped safely. | | | | Diagnosis of cancer mesothelioma |
| Cancer Mesothelioma can damage any of these cells, | | | | Diagnosis commences with an assessment of the |
| although pleural mesothelioma is more common; it | | | | patient's medical history, as well as any history of |
| metastasizes and at an advanced stage the disease | | | | asbestos exposure. A complete physical examination |
| reach to the other parts of the body like the lymph | | | | may be performed, including: |
| nodes, lungs, chest wall, or abdominal organs. | | | | - X-rays of the chest or abdomen |
| How is cancer mesothelioma caused? | | | | - A CT (or CAT) scan or an MRI may also be useful. |
| Though asbestos exposure is the primary reason in | | | | A CT scan is a sequence of comprehensive pictures |
| 70% to 80% of the cases, mesothelioma can be | | | | of areas inside the body created by a computer linked |
| caused by other means, like exposure to the chemical | | | | to an X-ray machine |
| zeolite that is also present in asbestos. | | | | - In an MRI, a strong magnet connected to a computer |
| Asbestos has become part of our daily life being in | | | | is used to draw meticulous pictures of areas affected |
| cement, brake linings, roof shingles, flooring products, | | | | by cancer mesothelioma inside the body. These |
| textiles, and insulation. The asbestos fibers take their | | | | pictures are viewed on a monitor and can also be |
| toll by going into our windpipe and settling in the internal | | | | printed |
| organs causing the formation of carcinogenic tumors. | | | | - A biopsy regarding the taking out of a sample tissue |
| The overall scenario regarding cancer mesothelioma | | | | for examination is needed to verify a diagnosis of |
| Though there is a ban on certain asbestos products, | | | | mesothelioma. Types of biopsy depending on the |
| around 1000 people in France and above 2000 people | | | | location of the tumor are thoracoscopy, |
| in the U.S are faced with this nightmare each year. | | | | peritoneoscopy |
| Mostly, workers from shipyards, asbestos mines and | | | | Lastly, the stage of the disease is important to the |
| mills are prone to this mishap, due to a constant | | | | doctor for the correct diagnosis. |
| exposure to asbestos. However, it takes 30 to 50 | | | | Cancer mesothelioma treatment |
| years for the disease to surface and show symptoms | | | | Treatment of cancer mesothelioma yields results |
| though they are not always accurate. | | | | depending on the site of the cancer, the phase of the |
| Cancer mesothelioma is proving more than a menace | | | | disease, and the patient's physical condition. The usual |
| and the average person live for 12-24 months; the | | | | treatments for cancer mesothelioma are surgery, |
| earlier it is detected, the better is the cure process. | | | | radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Occasionally, |
| The recent picture | | | | these treatments are combined. |
| Today, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health | | | | Surgery is an effective way to remove tumor but the |
| Administration (OSHA) have put restrictions towards | | | | age of the person matters. Radiation therapy and |
| maintaining acceptable levels of asbestos exposure in | | | | chemotherapy are good ways to ward off the |
| the workplace. People who work with asbestos are | | | | symptoms. |
| geared up with individual protective equipment to lower | | | | Often, high-end drugs are given to the patient to |
| their risk of exposure. Even the family members of the | | | | reduce the fluid formation in body. |
| workers are prone to the disease, so they are advised | | | | Thus, it is better for the workers to get a medical |
| to take a shower before leaving for home. | | | | check up at equal intervals and be aware of its |
| Symptoms of cancer mesothelioma | | | | symptoms. If a patient is diagnosed with cancer |
| - Feeling out of breath and pain in the chest due to an | | | | mesothelioma at the earliest stage, the treatments |
| accretion of fluid in the pleura | | | | might do wonders for him. |