Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that occurs in the lining of the organs of the body, a thin layer of cells known as the mesothelium. While very thin, this layer of cells is crucial for the functioning of the organs and structures of the body's inner health. There are three recognized types of mesothelioma. Mesothelioma pleural pleural layers occur in the lungs and the most common form of the disease. Peritoneal mesothelioma occur in the peritoneum, which lines the abdominal cavity and the second most common form of the disease. Pericardial mesothelioma is a rare disease and variety occurs in the lining of the heart pericardial. The main cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos, although other factors such as smoking can increase the likeliness of illness in certain individuals.
About the disease
To put it simply, mesothelioma is often referred to as the asbestos cancer, is an aggressive cancer caused mainly by inhaling asbestos fibers. The disease attacks the protective membrane, mesothelium, two layers that cover the organs in the body including the lungs, heart and abdominal organs. Between these layers, cells produce fluid, which allows easy movement of the heart and the lungs in the chest cavity. The layer that covers the lungs is called pleural layers, and that includes the heart is called the pericardium. Peritoneum lines the abdominal cavity. Mesothelium also lines the reproductive organs of male and female. Mesothelioma can affect these cells but are usually seen in the pleural or peritoneal mesothelium. The most commonly diagnosed form of cancer is mesothelioma pleural.
Mesothelioma takes anywhere from 20 to 50 years to develop, which is why parents are usually the victims. However, the case involving the Sept. 11 World Trade Center chorus and clean-up crews showed that high concentrations of asbestos can cause diseases to develop much more quickly. Some of the workers have already died of the disease the WTC.
The effects of the disease
Mesothelium invasion by cancer cells makes it very difficult for the patient to breathe, resulting in the need for oxygen, particularly as the disease progresses. People with this form of Pleural mesothelioma may also be suffering from Pleural effusions. This prevents pleural smooth motion of the lungs and other organs in the chest. Peritoneal mesothelioma affects the stomach and abdominal cavity, causing nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite, which can lead to weight loss. In addition to breathing difficulties and loss of appetite, mesothelioma victims also complained of excessive coughing, sleeping difficulties, persistent chest pain, fever, and pain in the back.
Mesothelioma, in General, is a very painful disease and therefore are usually not diagnosed until it is in an advanced stage. For this reason, the symptoms are usually quite serious. Late diagnosis also means that the cancer is likely to have metastasized, or spread, to make a success of mesothelioma treatment even more difficult.
Who gets Mesothelioma?
Statistics show that, since the history of their work, the disease most often affects people between the ages of 50 and 70 who employed in asbestos-laden environment before asbestos warnings and bans are in place in the 1970s. Although women still have a lower frequency of the disease, the case of former asbestos exposure has encouraged more diagnoses among women, particularly family members of the men work with asbestos. The work is most associated with mesothelioma is the shipyard workers, electricians, plumbers, construction industry workers, pipefitters, boilermakers, and anyone can be a heavy exposure to asbestos are hazardous air and asbestos fibers.
The case also shows that abundance of mesothelioma can develop between people who live in communities where the asbestos factory or mine is located. In some cases, entire towns have been adversely affected by the presence of asbestos fibers in the air. For example, in Libby, Montana asbestos vermiculite-the site of a former-hundreds of dead of mesothelioma.
Significant though still rarely from other cancers, the estimated 2,000-3,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed each year in the United States. Other countries, notably the United Kingdom and Australia, reported a much higher incidence of the disease. However, the United States-as many other countries-has seen an increase in cancers caused by asbestos as the people who work in the shipyard of the US in the 1940s and 1950s, at the height of production, now being diagnosed with mesothelioma.
About the disease
To put it simply, mesothelioma is often referred to as the asbestos cancer, is an aggressive cancer caused mainly by inhaling asbestos fibers. The disease attacks the protective membrane, mesothelium, two layers that cover the organs in the body including the lungs, heart and abdominal organs. Between these layers, cells produce fluid, which allows easy movement of the heart and the lungs in the chest cavity. The layer that covers the lungs is called pleural layers, and that includes the heart is called the pericardium. Peritoneum lines the abdominal cavity. Mesothelium also lines the reproductive organs of male and female. Mesothelioma can affect these cells but are usually seen in the pleural or peritoneal mesothelium. The most commonly diagnosed form of cancer is mesothelioma pleural.
Mesothelioma takes anywhere from 20 to 50 years to develop, which is why parents are usually the victims. However, the case involving the Sept. 11 World Trade Center chorus and clean-up crews showed that high concentrations of asbestos can cause diseases to develop much more quickly. Some of the workers have already died of the disease the WTC.
The effects of the disease
Mesothelium invasion by cancer cells makes it very difficult for the patient to breathe, resulting in the need for oxygen, particularly as the disease progresses. People with this form of Pleural mesothelioma may also be suffering from Pleural effusions. This prevents pleural smooth motion of the lungs and other organs in the chest. Peritoneal mesothelioma affects the stomach and abdominal cavity, causing nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite, which can lead to weight loss. In addition to breathing difficulties and loss of appetite, mesothelioma victims also complained of excessive coughing, sleeping difficulties, persistent chest pain, fever, and pain in the back.
Mesothelioma, in General, is a very painful disease and therefore are usually not diagnosed until it is in an advanced stage. For this reason, the symptoms are usually quite serious. Late diagnosis also means that the cancer is likely to have metastasized, or spread, to make a success of mesothelioma treatment even more difficult.
Who gets Mesothelioma?
Statistics show that, since the history of their work, the disease most often affects people between the ages of 50 and 70 who employed in asbestos-laden environment before asbestos warnings and bans are in place in the 1970s. Although women still have a lower frequency of the disease, the case of former asbestos exposure has encouraged more diagnoses among women, particularly family members of the men work with asbestos. The work is most associated with mesothelioma is the shipyard workers, electricians, plumbers, construction industry workers, pipefitters, boilermakers, and anyone can be a heavy exposure to asbestos are hazardous air and asbestos fibers.
The case also shows that abundance of mesothelioma can develop between people who live in communities where the asbestos factory or mine is located. In some cases, entire towns have been adversely affected by the presence of asbestos fibers in the air. For example, in Libby, Montana asbestos vermiculite-the site of a former-hundreds of dead of mesothelioma.
Significant though still rarely from other cancers, the estimated 2,000-3,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed each year in the United States. Other countries, notably the United Kingdom and Australia, reported a much higher incidence of the disease. However, the United States-as many other countries-has seen an increase in cancers caused by asbestos as the people who work in the shipyard of the US in the 1940s and 1950s, at the height of production, now being diagnosed with mesothelioma.
Dealing with Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is most often diagnosed at a late stage, and the diagnosis was devastating to the individual and his family. Although the disease has progressed, this time there was no cure for mesothelioma. Some patients may be candidates for surgery to remove the tumor or even the entire lung, but most are better treated with radiation or chemotherapy. More often than not, this treatment is palliative, also serve to reduce the severity of disease symptoms rather than offering a cure.
Medical professionals and research scientists, however, continued to explore new ways to combat the disease. For example, doctors know that some combinations of chemotherapy drugs work better than others and tests are developed to ensure early diagnosis of diseases or to monitor those most at risk have arrived on the scene.
Who's to blame?
The reason someone develop mesothelioma usually is the lack of proper protection is offered to those who work with asbestos. Although the properties of dangerous asbestos and asbestos products has been proven for decades, many employers ignored to protect their workers from inhaling asbestos while on the job. That public awareness of the dangers of the material were revealed in the 1970s that many employers began offering such a respirator protective clothing, gloves, aprons, and other items like to people who worked with asbestos on a daily basis.
Due to the negligence of the employer, many companies who produce asbestos or products containing asbestos have been subject to thousands of lawsuits filed by people who have been harmed by the material. Many of the lawsuits have come from individuals who suffer from mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma is most often diagnosed at a late stage, and the diagnosis was devastating to the individual and his family. Although the disease has progressed, this time there was no cure for mesothelioma. Some patients may be candidates for surgery to remove the tumor or even the entire lung, but most are better treated with radiation or chemotherapy. More often than not, this treatment is palliative, also serve to reduce the severity of disease symptoms rather than offering a cure.
Medical professionals and research scientists, however, continued to explore new ways to combat the disease. For example, doctors know that some combinations of chemotherapy drugs work better than others and tests are developed to ensure early diagnosis of diseases or to monitor those most at risk have arrived on the scene.
Who's to blame?
The reason someone develop mesothelioma usually is the lack of proper protection is offered to those who work with asbestos. Although the properties of dangerous asbestos and asbestos products has been proven for decades, many employers ignored to protect their workers from inhaling asbestos while on the job. That public awareness of the dangers of the material were revealed in the 1970s that many employers began offering such a respirator protective clothing, gloves, aprons, and other items like to people who worked with asbestos on a daily basis.
Due to the negligence of the employer, many companies who produce asbestos or products containing asbestos have been subject to thousands of lawsuits filed by people who have been harmed by the material. Many of the lawsuits have come from individuals who suffer from mesothelioma.
