Archive for the ‘Mesothelioma Cancer’ Category

Risk of Developing Malignant Mesothelioma.

Wednesday, January 27th, 2010

Exposure to asbestos can affect the risk of developing malignant mesothelioma.

Anything that increases the risk of contracting a disease is called a risk factor. Having a risk factor does not mean they will suffer from cancer, not having risk factors does not mean that you will suffer from cancer. People who think they are at risk should discuss with your doctor.

Many people with malignant mesothelioma have worked or lived in places where they inhaled or swallowed asbestos. After exposure to asbestos, it usually takes a long time until it manifests malignant mesothelioma. Other risk factors for malignant mesothelioma include:

  • Living with a person who works near asbestos.
  • Being exposed to certain viruses.

Possible signs of malignant mesothelioma include shortness of breath and pain under the rib cage.

Sometimes the cancer causes fluid to collect around the lung or abdomen. These symptoms may be caused by the fluid or malignant mesothelioma. Other disorders can cause similar symptoms. Call your doctor if any of the following problems:

  • Shortness of breath.
  • Pain below the rib cage.
  • Pain in the abdomen or inflammation.
  • Lumps in the abdomen.
  • Weight loss for no known reason.
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Difference Between Mesothelioma & Lung Cancer?

Friday, January 22nd, 2010

What is the difference between mesothelioma and lung cancer?

The easiest way to understand the difference between lung cancer and mesothelioma is that lung cancer is in the lung tissue, while pleural mesothelioma occurs in the layer of tissue lining the outside of the lung.

Smoking is considered the primary cause of lung cancer, and asbestos as the primary cause of mesothelioma. Asbestos can also cause lung cancer. Smoking does not cause mesothelioma. People who have been exposed to asbestos and who also smoke have up to 90 times more likely to be affected with lung cancer than those who do not smoke.

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Diagnosis & Treatment Of Mesothelioma Cancer

Thursday, January 21st, 2010

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of pleural mesothelioma is typically based on these symptoms and the results of a further physical examination. Chest X-rays, CT scans and MRI scans are commonly used for diagnosis, and also help determine an appropriate treatment plan, because these procedures show whether the cancer has spread from its point of origin.

The diagnosis is confirmed with a biopsy needle, tissue biopsy, or both. During a needle biopsy, fluid is removed from the area and then analyzed for the presence of cancer cells. A biopsy of tissue generally involves a relatively noninvasive surgical procedure called laparoscopy, in which a small piece of tissue is removed from the affected area to be analyzed for the presence of malignant cells.

Treatment

Due to the nature of mesothelioma, it’s common that a diagnosis is not made until the cancer has progressed to a stage where curative treatment is not possible. Most treatments for pleural mesothelioma are palliative and are made to encourage the symptoms and improve quality of life for patients. Treatment options are limited to conventional surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. In cases where curative surgery is attempted, the patient must be healthy not to have cancer, and disease should not have spread beyond its point of origin. In such cases, part or all of a lung may be removed.

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Types of Mesothelioma Cells

Wednesday, January 20th, 2010
Types of mesothelioma cells
Your doctor or medical history may refer to “cell types” of mesothelioma. This refers to the types of tissue where the cancer first developed. For example, mesothelioma “epithelial” refers to cancer cells that develop in the epithelium, which is the membrane lining the lungs, heart and abdomen. However, mesothelioma “sarcomatous” occurs in connective tissues. The term “biphasic” refers to mesothelioma develops in two distinct types of cells. Other types of cells are linfohistiocitoide and desmoplastic mesothelioma.

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Pleural Mesothelioma is the Most Common Type of Malignant Mesothelioma

Tuesday, January 19th, 2010

Pleural Mesothelioma is the most common type of malignant mesothelioma. About two-thirds of people diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma have type. This form of mesothelioma affects the cells in the pleura, the name given to the lining of the lungs and chest cavity. The pleura has two layers: the parietal layer (an outer layer that covers the chest cavity and diaphragm) and the visceral layer (an inner layer that covers the lungs).

Exposure to Asbestos

People who are exposed to asbestos inhale asbestos fibers that enter the lowercase pleura of the lungs. Once in the lungs, asbestos fibers cause changes in pleural cells making them cancerous.

Pleural Mesothelioma Symptoms All forms of mesothelioma are particularly dangerous because two or three decades may elapse between exposure to asbestos and the onset of symptoms of cancer. Also, the first symptoms of mesothelioma are not specific and these symptoms often resemble those of a simple viral infection that is not very dangerous.

Pleural mesothelioma symptoms may include:

  • A persistent cough, difficulty breathing or swallowing, coughing up blood
  • Weight Loss
  • Fever or night sweats
  • Inflammation of the facial area
  • Shortness of breath even while resting
  • Severe chest pain, or pain in the rib area
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Mesothelioma: a cancerous tumor caused mostly by asbestos

Tuesday, January 12th, 2010

mesotheliomaMesothelioma is the name that is called a cancerous tumor that involves the mesothelial cells of an organ. Such are the cells that form a protective coating on the lungs, heart and abdominal organs. The best known of these membranes is the pleura, whose function is to be a surface lubricant that protects the lungs from rubbing against the rib cage.

Asbestos fibers and asbestosis
Virtually all cases of mesothelioma (pleural cancer) and lung cancer are related to the inhalation of asbestos fibers. Inhaled fibers can cause scar tissue inside the lung, which can not expand and contract normally. Annually, between 10,000 and 15,000 diagnosed cases worldwide. In general, most of the victims are men over 50 years.

The main characteristics of asbestos, which is the name given to a group of six different minerals-are long, strong fibers that can be separated and are flexible (can be interlaced) and resist high temperatures.

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