Mesothelioma, a form of cancer, is caused by exposure to asbestos. This exposure often occurs in the workplace, or through exposure to someone who works around asbestos. Mesothelioma is a deadly disease, nearly impossible to treat. By the time it is recognized, it is often too late to develop an effective treatment plan. Mesothelioma attacks the lining of organ tissue, forming fluid and tissue mass and affecting organ function. Surgery and radiation treatment can sometimes improve life expectancy for Mesothelioma patients, but the disease is nearly always fatal.

Cancerous (malignant) cells Cancerous cells develop in the protective lining the surround the body’s internal organs, known as the mesothelium. The cancer most commonly develops in the pleura, which is the outer lining of the chest cavity. It also occurs, however, in the lining of the abdominal cavity, known as the peritoneum, and the sac that surrounds the heart, which is called the pericardium.

Mesothelioma patients are often those who have spent their lives working around asbestos particles or fibres, or who were exposed to asbestos in another way. Examples of exposure would include: working in a manufacturing facility that handled asbestos containing products, washing clothes for a family member who worked in such a facility, or participating in a home improvement project using materials containing asbestos.

Exposure can occur up to 50 years before symptoms occur, making this a long-lived issue. Since the 1900’s, exposure to asbestos has been noted as a health hazard. Studies have linked asbestos exposures with Mesothelioma, as well as other serious health issues. Many professionals consider brief exposure to asbestos unlikely to cause harm, while others link even such exposure to medical issues. Because it is unknown exactly how much exposure is necessary to cause medical issues, it is best to assume that there is no safe amount of asbestos exposure.

Symptoms

Pleural Mesothelioma occurs when the cancer settles into the lining of the chest cavity. Symptoms include coughing, chest pain, and shortness of breath. These symptoms are aggravated by an accumulation of fluid in the pleural area, surrounding the lungs. Fatigue and anemia can also develop, aggravating an already painful condition. If the cancer is severe, tumor masses may develop in the lungs, leading to lung collapse. The cancer may also spread to other parts of the body.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma occurs when the cancer settles into the lining of the abdominal cavity. Symptoms include abdominal swelling, pain, weight loss, bowel obstruction, anemia, and fever. If the cancer spreads to other parts of the body, swelling of the neck or face and trouble swallowing can develop, as well. If tumors develop in the abdominal cavity, they may not cause symptoms until they are at an advanced stage.

Diagnosis

It can be difficult to diagnose Mesothelioma, because its symptoms resemble those of a myriad of other medical conditions. The patient’s doctor must first review an in depth medical history, including a history of exposure to asbestos. Testing will include a physical examination, a chest X-ray, and lung function tests. If fluid is present in the organ cavity, further testing will be preformed to check for malignant cells.

If cells are diagnosed as malignant or suspicious, the doctor will perform a biopsy to confirm a Mesothelioma diagnosis. A sample of tissue will be surgically removed to be tested. This diagnostic surgery enables the doctor to make a definitive decision regarding the best treatment options.

Treatment

Patients who develop Mesothelioma, in severe cases, have an estimated survival time of 6-12 months. The disease spreads quickly, and often lies dormant for long periods of time before it is noticed and treated. Surgery, as treatment, has proved to be relatively ineffective. It is nearly impossible to remove the affected areas, as patients need the lining surrounding the organs to survive.

Radiation treatments after surgery can improve patients’ life expectancy rates, allowing some patients to survive up to five additional years. Radiation is often applied directly to surgical sites, which helps to prevent regrowth of tumors that have been removed. It is necessary to surgically remove the tumor before treating with radiation, however, otherwise the treatment is ineffective.

In summary, Mesothelioma is a fatal form of cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos. This exposure often occurs in factory or workplace environments, or by being exposed to clothing used in such environments. The cancer develops in the lining surrounding the body’s organs. It may lie dormant for years, slowly building large tumors that may go unrecognized. By the time it is diagnosed and recognized, it is often too late to effectively treat the disease.

Mesothelioma can be treated with radiation and surgery, but these measures only act to extend the life span of patients. The disease is nearly always fatal, and treatment once it is contracted is extremely difficult.

It’s an unfortunate truth that millions of Americans and people all over the world have been poisoned by toxic levels of asbestos, putting them at risk for mesothelioma, asbestosis, lung cancer, and other deadly diseases that are directly caused by the inhalation of asbestos fibers. Contact a Mesothelioma lawyer for more information.

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