What Is Mesothelioma Cancer?

By Angela Gymmy


The rare cancerous form of mesothelioma is that which develops from the protective lining along the internal organs of a person's body. An individual will most likely develop the cancerous disease in their lungs, abdominal cavity, heart or testis; however symptoms of the malady can take up to 50 years to surface because the disease often lies dormant from anywhere between 15 to 50 years.

The most common cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos, and those who most commonly develop the disease are persons that have been exposed to asbestos on the job or at home through inhalation of the substance. Any type of exposure to even the most minimal amount of the fibrous material can lead to the formerly rare type of cancer that is known as mesothelioma. Any type of contact with these dust particles - even washing the clothing of a person who has been exposed to asbestos - could lead to your later development of the cancerous disease.

Most of the items that it was used to make are no longer in existence, thankfully. However, it was widely used in the construction industry, and today this is where the vast majority of the people come in contact with it

Peritoneal mesothelioma Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma - this is a very rare form of cancer which strikes the peritoneum (the cell walls surrounding the abdominal cavity. The peritoneum lubricates the abdominal cavity which allows the surrounding internal organs and body structures to expand and contract. Peritoneal mesothelioma is very rare with fewer than 500 people contracting this form of cancer each year. Several decades after asbestos fibers are breathed in or ingested; cancer will develop in the patient's abdomen. Modern tests can diagnose whether or not a patient has peritoneal mesothelioma. Despite the fact that it is not usually diagnosed until it is in the later stages, there are still some treatment options.

One of the most frightening facts about asbestos exposure and development of mesothelioma is the dormancy of symptoms, as well as the similarity in symptoms to other less threatening diseases. When a disease lies dormant in a person it means that it exists in the individual's body but it has yet to show signs of its appearance, meaning that a person could live with a potentially dangerous disease for years without even knowing they have it.

Of further concern is the fact that many of the cancer's symptoms are very similar to other lesser ailments that may not be cause for much alarm among suffers of such conditions. For example, common indicators of the disease are a shortness of breath (caused from the buildup of fluid between the lungs and the chest wall), pain in the chest and a loss of weight. These symptoms are so general and non-threatening compared to many others that they could easily be overlooked or pushed aside by someone silently suffering from a much more serious condition.

The type and location of the mesothelioma How big are the tumors? How much the cancer has metastasized? What stage the cancer is in. The patient's age The patient's overall health Several types of doctors will be involved in treating the cancer such as an oncologist or cancer specialist, a radiologist, and a pulmonologist or lung specialist. It can take time to figure out the precise location and variety of the cancer, but determining these factors will enable the oncologist to prescribe the most effective mesothelioma treatment.




About the Author:



Grab The Post URL

URL:
HTML link code:
BB (forum) link code:

Leave a comment

  • Google+
  • 0Blogger
  • Facebook
  • Disqus

0 Response to "What Is Mesothelioma Cancer?"

Post a Comment

comments powered by Disqus