Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer that affects Mesothelioma, a membrane that encompasses and protects body's internal organs. Dependi...
Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer that affects Mesothelioma, a membrane that encompasses and protects body's internal organs. Depending on the location in the body, the Mesothelioma can have different names: In the abdomen, it is called peritoneal Mesothelioma. Pleural Mesothelioma affects Mesothelial tissues in the lungs and chest. In the initial stages, the Mesothelial cells develop abnormalities and multiply and if left undiagnosed, it can spread to other parts in the body.
How does exposure to asbestos cause Mesothelioma
Asbestos use in human culture dates back at least 4,500 years. Asbestos is a set of six naturally occurring silicate minerals. People started using asbestos because of its desirable commercial properties but then in 1900 its toxicity was discovered. Later on, European Union and other countries have prohibited its extraction and use.
Asbestos fibers are microscopic and when inhaled through nose and mouth, asbestos dust lodges itself into the membrane called Mesothelium and causes inflammation and scarring of the tissue. If asbestos fibers are swallowed, it causes a malignancy in the abdomen known as peritoneal Mesothelioma.
The disease generally affects people who work extensively with asbestos or asbestos containing material (occupational asbestos exposure) but there are instances of environmental exposure that also led to the disease like in families of asbestos mining workers through their clothes, hair or some other means of contact.
Other contributing factors:-
1-Smoking: Smoking in conjunction with exposure to asbestos, enhances the risk of Mesothelioma.
2-Radiation exposure: It is very rare but some patients attribute their diagnosis to exposure to radiation rather than exposure to asbestos dust.
3-Carbon nanotubes: Research is at a preliminary stage in this case but they say laboratory studies indicate a molecular similarity between asbestos fibers and carbon nanotubes. Tests indicate a pronounced risk of Mesothelioma in some laboratory animals implanted with carbon nanotubes.
Signs of alarm! Mesothelioma symptoms
One of the most devastating aspects of the disease is that Mesothelioma takes a long time to be diagnosed. Its symptoms mimic other common ailments. So possibly a person might not take those symptoms seriously. But please get yourself diagnosed and treated in time if you see any signs of danger.
60% of the patients diagnosed with pleural Mesothelioma complaint lower back pain or side chest pain and frequent shortness of breath. Lower numbers of people may have difficulty swallowing, or have a permanent cough, fever, weight loss or fatigue. Additional symptoms that some patients experience are muscle weakness, loss of sensory capability, coughing up blood, facial and arm swelling and hoarseness.
Provided below is a list of symptoms that Mesothelioma patients may experience. Please click on a symptom to learn more about it.
4-Anemia: Mesothelioma patients have very low red blood cells count or low hemoglobin which causes tiredness, if left untreated may result in loss of bone marrow.
5-Bowel Obstruction: A very painful symptom that sometimes develops in peritoneal Mesothelioma patients due to fluid buildup in the abdomen.
6-Chest Pain: Often experienced in pleural Mesothelioma and pericardial Mesothelioma patients, chest pain can develop as the tumor grows and places strain on the lungs and heart.
6-Dysphasia: Pleural Mesothelioma patients often develop difficulty swallowing (esophageal dysphasia) as the Mesothelium continues to grow on the lungs.
7-Fluid Effusion: An effusion can occur in Mesothelioma patients when there is fluid buildup affecting either the pleura or pericardium.
8-Hemoptysis: Hemoptysis, or the symptom of coughing up blood, can have its origins in the lungs, bronchi or trachea of Mesothelioma patients.
9-Nausea: Nausea or vomiting sensation is experienced in a number of cancer patients diagnosed with peritoneal Mesothelioma as a result of increasing abdominal pressure.
10-Peritoneal Effusion: Peritoneal Mesothelioma patients experience a buildup of fluid in the peritoneum (Abdomen) as the tumor continues to grow. This can result in an effusion which can inhibit the function of abdominal organs.
11-Pleural Effusion: In pleural Mesothelioma patients, pleural effusion may develop when there is a large amount of fluid present in the lining between the lungs and chest cavity.
12-Weight Loss: Weight loss can occur in Mesothelioma patients as a side effect from cancer treatment or as the result of other symptoms that may also be present such as difficulty swallowing or nausea.
What should I do If I am diagnosed with Mesothelioma
13-Firstly, Mesothelioma treatment is available by a number of different therapies including surgery, Mesothelioma radiation, and chemotherapeutic drugs. These therapies and alternative Mesothelioma treatments can extend the patient survival far longer than the untreated disease.
Secondly, Mesothelioma help is available to patients and their families. If you have worked in an asbestos based industry you should talk to a well versed attorney and can claim a compensation and file a Mesothelioma Lawsuit.
We urge you, If you have any signs of the disease, don't panic, just speak to a doctor, lawyer or a well wisher and keep the hope alive. Say cheers to life!
How does exposure to asbestos cause Mesothelioma
Asbestos use in human culture dates back at least 4,500 years. Asbestos is a set of six naturally occurring silicate minerals. People started using asbestos because of its desirable commercial properties but then in 1900 its toxicity was discovered. Later on, European Union and other countries have prohibited its extraction and use.
Asbestos fibers are microscopic and when inhaled through nose and mouth, asbestos dust lodges itself into the membrane called Mesothelium and causes inflammation and scarring of the tissue. If asbestos fibers are swallowed, it causes a malignancy in the abdomen known as peritoneal Mesothelioma.
The disease generally affects people who work extensively with asbestos or asbestos containing material (occupational asbestos exposure) but there are instances of environmental exposure that also led to the disease like in families of asbestos mining workers through their clothes, hair or some other means of contact.
Other contributing factors:-
1-Smoking: Smoking in conjunction with exposure to asbestos, enhances the risk of Mesothelioma.
2-Radiation exposure: It is very rare but some patients attribute their diagnosis to exposure to radiation rather than exposure to asbestos dust.
3-Carbon nanotubes: Research is at a preliminary stage in this case but they say laboratory studies indicate a molecular similarity between asbestos fibers and carbon nanotubes. Tests indicate a pronounced risk of Mesothelioma in some laboratory animals implanted with carbon nanotubes.
Signs of alarm! Mesothelioma symptoms
One of the most devastating aspects of the disease is that Mesothelioma takes a long time to be diagnosed. Its symptoms mimic other common ailments. So possibly a person might not take those symptoms seriously. But please get yourself diagnosed and treated in time if you see any signs of danger.
60% of the patients diagnosed with pleural Mesothelioma complaint lower back pain or side chest pain and frequent shortness of breath. Lower numbers of people may have difficulty swallowing, or have a permanent cough, fever, weight loss or fatigue. Additional symptoms that some patients experience are muscle weakness, loss of sensory capability, coughing up blood, facial and arm swelling and hoarseness.
Provided below is a list of symptoms that Mesothelioma patients may experience. Please click on a symptom to learn more about it.
4-Anemia: Mesothelioma patients have very low red blood cells count or low hemoglobin which causes tiredness, if left untreated may result in loss of bone marrow.
5-Bowel Obstruction: A very painful symptom that sometimes develops in peritoneal Mesothelioma patients due to fluid buildup in the abdomen.
6-Chest Pain: Often experienced in pleural Mesothelioma and pericardial Mesothelioma patients, chest pain can develop as the tumor grows and places strain on the lungs and heart.
6-Dysphasia: Pleural Mesothelioma patients often develop difficulty swallowing (esophageal dysphasia) as the Mesothelium continues to grow on the lungs.
7-Fluid Effusion: An effusion can occur in Mesothelioma patients when there is fluid buildup affecting either the pleura or pericardium.
8-Hemoptysis: Hemoptysis, or the symptom of coughing up blood, can have its origins in the lungs, bronchi or trachea of Mesothelioma patients.
9-Nausea: Nausea or vomiting sensation is experienced in a number of cancer patients diagnosed with peritoneal Mesothelioma as a result of increasing abdominal pressure.
10-Peritoneal Effusion: Peritoneal Mesothelioma patients experience a buildup of fluid in the peritoneum (Abdomen) as the tumor continues to grow. This can result in an effusion which can inhibit the function of abdominal organs.
11-Pleural Effusion: In pleural Mesothelioma patients, pleural effusion may develop when there is a large amount of fluid present in the lining between the lungs and chest cavity.
12-Weight Loss: Weight loss can occur in Mesothelioma patients as a side effect from cancer treatment or as the result of other symptoms that may also be present such as difficulty swallowing or nausea.
What should I do If I am diagnosed with Mesothelioma
13-Firstly, Mesothelioma treatment is available by a number of different therapies including surgery, Mesothelioma radiation, and chemotherapeutic drugs. These therapies and alternative Mesothelioma treatments can extend the patient survival far longer than the untreated disease.
Secondly, Mesothelioma help is available to patients and their families. If you have worked in an asbestos based industry you should talk to a well versed attorney and can claim a compensation and file a Mesothelioma Lawsuit.
We urge you, If you have any signs of the disease, don't panic, just speak to a doctor, lawyer or a well wisher and keep the hope alive. Say cheers to life!
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