Mesothelioma Asbestos Cancer

Mesothelioma is a painful and deadly cancer that occurs in the mesothelium or the thin layers of tissue that serve as a lining for the internal organs. It is most commonly found in the pleura cellls in the lungs, but does occasionally occur in the heart or abdominal cavity.

Mesothelioma Asbestos Cancer

It is commonly called asbestos cancer as the primary known cause of this malignancy is exposure to this single hazardous material, either through inhalation or ingestion. Asbestos was widely used in the twentieth century in industrial applications. It was commonly found in plaster, drywall, insulation, flooring, roofing, ceiling tiles and automotive brakes, as well as being used in various fireproof materials.

Exposure was common among blue collar workers in particular, although asbestos fibers also found there way off of job sites and into the home on workers’ clothing and shoes. A large proportion of mesothelioma cases occur among former employees of constuction, railroad, shipping, manufacturing and mining trades.

A diagnosis of mesothelioma may come as a surprise because it generally does not occur until long after exposure to asbestos, commonly between ten and forty years later. Symptoms may be vague and go ignored for months or be mistaken for more common ailments such as pneumonia or influenza. Signs commonly include shortness of breath and coughing (when it occurs in the lungs), fatigue, low back or side chest pain, weight loss, anemia and sometimes hoarseness

Due to the fact that the chances of successful treatment increase dramatically if mesothelioma is caught in the earliest stages, it is vitally important that anyone who develops these symptoms and has reason to suspect prior exposure to asbestos seek medical advice as soon as possible. The physician of choice would be an oncologist who is familiar with this disease.

If treated early, the odds of surviving to the five year mark are at least ten percent. As is, most cases are not diagnosed until later stages, at which point the patient will unfortunately likely only survive for a matter of weeks or months. Early treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Mesothelioma is a very aggressive cancer, but if is correctly diagnosed while still localized, surgery can be performed to remove the cancerous tissues. In the late stages, after the disease has metastasized to other areas of the body, the focus is on keeping the patient as comfortable as possible.

Options include using surgical techniques to improve breathing and slowing progression with chemotherapy. Palliative radiation, while not curative, can also be used to ease breathing as well as reduce pain and bleeding. At present, there is promising research in finding a cure for mesothelioma, but the keys at present still lie in avoiding exposure and where this has already occured, in monitoring any unusual symptoms and seeking treatment immediately