Lung cancer caused by mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma is a kind of cancer begin by long period exposure to asbestos and it is difficult to diagnose and treat. Mesothelioma is a cancer involving the mesothelium, a protective lining that encloses most of the body's internal organs. It is a type of cancer that attacks the mesothelial cells of the body. Mesothelioma typically affects the pleural mesothelium but in some cases, patients develop peritoneal mesothelioma in the abdomen.
Some people with only brief asbestos exposure can develop mesothelioma.Mesothelioma has a latency period of 20 to 50 years after the first exposure to asbestos.That means that if you worked around asbestos 50 years ago, you could be developing mesothelioma now. This then causes family members to become exposed to asbestos and makes those family members at risk for contracting mesothelioma also.
They are three major types of mesothelioma cancer and their symptoms.
1. Pleural mesothelioma, which accounts for 75% of cases and starts in the chest cavity. The cancer affects the lungs and the protective lining and cavity of the lungs. The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma result from pleural effusion, which is increasing in fluid between the lung lining and the chest cavity. Sufferers of pleural mesothelioma may experience some or all of the following symptoms such as difficulty in breathing, difficulty in swallowing, shortness of breath, persistent coughing, weight loss, fever, coughing up of blood, and rasping.
2. Peritoneal mesothelioma, which accounts for about 10-20% of cases and the cancer starts in the abdomen and stomach. The cancer begin in the abdominal part and extend to other parts of the body, but the tumors that push against the wall of the abdomen can caused symptoms such as abdominal pain, abdominal swelling, nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, breathing problems, chest pain, bowel obstruction, anaemia, fever, and blood clotting abnormalities.
3. Pericardial mesothelioma, which is rare and starts in the heart. The tumors affect pericardial mesothelioma patients can develop bad symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, trouble breathing, persistent coughing, and palpitations.
A history of exposure to asbestos may increase clinical suspicion for mesothelioma. Because little was known about mesothelioma, victims and their families were unable to seek mesothelioma support. Treatment for mesothelioma depends on the location of the cancer, the stage of the disease, and the patient's age and general health. As tests are developed that may help to diagnose mesothelioma at an earlier stage, surgery may become more of an option in the future.
Labels: Types of Mesothelioma Cancer
