Mesothelioma is a cancer not usually found in the general public. It is usually caused by exposure to asbestos. It commonly starts in the lining of the lungs or the abominal cavity. If it is found in the lining of the lungs it is called pleural mesothelioma. If it is found in the lining of the viscera or abdomen it is called peritoneal mesothelioma. Regardless of where it turns up in the body, it will be a dangerous condition needing immediate attention.
Since asbestos and mesothelioma go hand-in-hand and the symptoms of mesothelioma are not very different from other forms of illnesses, any attempt to diagnose mesothelioma should be considered with a look into the past. Have you had contact with asbestos? Have you worked around a building or other plot where asbestos was incorporated into the structure?
Asbestos was dilapidated in firemen’s suits from long ago, so if you had contact with someone such as a fireman or someone who worked with or around asbestos, you may want to mediate checking out the symptoms of mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is usually diagnosed some thirty or more years after exposure to asbestos. Some symptoms are; persistant cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, wheezing, abdominal pain and swelling, weight loss, fever and anemia. At rare times there are no symptoms.
The name “mesothelioma” comes from the name of the liquid-filled sac surrounding some major organs; the mesothelium. When normal healthy mesothelium cells are affected by the asbestos, mesothelioma can occur. As of this writing it would be affecting those in their sixties or seventies from their unsuspected past exposure to asbestos.
As of today, asbestos is rarely used in the United States now that we know its dangers to health. According to the cancer.gov site original uses of asbestos were banned after 1989 by the Environmental Protection Agency. All uses prior to that year are reportedly still allowed. It is still outmoded in other developing countries.
As mesothelioma is a cancer it has a primary cause like all other forms of cancer. The primary cause of cancer was discovered in 1931 by a Doctor of medicine and chemistry ( both ) by the name of Otto Warburg. Doctor Warburg stated, there are “countless” secondary causes of cancer but only one prime cause. Doctor Warburg’s achievements include the Nobel Prize in medicine in 1931.
His work is somewhat forgotten today, and is important to those who have been exposed in the past to asbestos. Mesothelioma does not have to be a death sentence with the wealth of information available to those with internet access. A person’s likelihood of contracting any form of cancer, including mesothelioma can be demonstrated by a simple PH level test. If you will look online for the method of testing your own PH level, you will be on track to knowing your personal chances of contracting mesothelioma, and disease in general.
Related posts
Filed under Malignant Mesothelioma by on Aug 2nd, 2010. 
What you don’t know can’t hurt you. This isn’t the case when it comes to your health. With Mesothelioma, as with any cancer, your chances are best when caught early. This is why it is important to be informed, especially if you have ever worked with asbestos.
What is Mesothelioma? The American Cancer Society’s web site states, “Mesothelioma affects the tissue that lines different organs and spaces inside the body.” The tumors can originate in a number of organs including the lungs, the stomach, and the heart. These tumors can be benign, meaning they are not cancerous. On the other hand, they can be Malignant, meaning they are cancerous.
The most common type of Mesothelioma is the epitheliod type. Fortunately, this type has the best survival rate. No matter which type you have, the treatment is pretty much the same.
The American Cancer Society’s web site states, “About 3 out of 4 Mesothelioma start in the chest cavity.” However, between 10% and 20% of Mesothelioma inaugurate in the abdomen. Rarely, Mesothelioma can be found around the heart and even in the tissue around the testicles.
Mesothelioma which is found in the lining of the chest cavity is known as pleural Mesothelioma. The symptoms for this type of Mesothelioma may include the following:
- Lower back harm
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Hoarseness
- Coughing
- Fever
- Sweating
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
Mesothelioma which is found in the lining of the abdominal cavity is known as peritoneal Mesothelioma. Symptoms may include the following:
- Stomach pain
- Weight loss
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Swollen abdomen
Most of the symptoms above are general symptoms and can signal many other less serious conditions, but if you have worked with asbestos or have any other reason for believing you may have Mesothelioma, you should talk to your doctor as soon as possible. If your doctor suspects you may have Mesothelioma he will complete a full physical exam, checking for fluid in the chest, abdomen, or heart. Further tests may be ordered which may include imaging tests, fluid or tissue samples, bronchoscopy, or even surgery to hold section or all of the tumor.
As stated above, not knowing whether you have Mesothelioma or simple bronchitis may pain you. If you are wondering if you have Mesothelioma, don’t. Obtain to your doctor and find out for sure, and always keep yourself informed. More information can be found on the American Cancer Society’s web site at http://www.cancer.org.
Related posts
Filed under Malignant Mesothelioma by on Jul 20th, 2010.
Mesothelioma is an uncommon form of cancer, often associated with exposure to asbestos. Mesothelioma is when malignant cells develop in the mesothelium, a protective lining that covers most internal organs. It most often involves the pleura, which is the outer lining of the lungs, but can also be found in the peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity), or the pericardium (a sac that surrounds the heart). Most people who develop mesothelioma worked on jobs where they are exposed to asbestos, or have gotten exposed to asbestos in some other arrangement. A history of exposure to asbestos exists in almost all cases.
Mesothelioma may not appear till 30-50 years after exposure to asbestos. Shortness of breath and a pain in the chest may be symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include weight loss, cachexia, abdominal swelling and pain due to ascites (a buildup of fluid in the abdominal cavity). Other symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma may include bowel obstruction, blood clotting abnormalities, anemia, and fever. If the cancer has spread beyond the mesothelium to other parts of the body, symptoms may include pain, trouble swallowing, or swelling of the neck or face. These symptoms may also be caused by other, less serious conditions. In either case, it is always best to check with a physician.
Diagnosing mesothelioma can be difficult. Mesothelioma is described as localized if the cancer is found only on the membrane surface where it originated. It is classified as advanced if it has spread beyond the original membrane surface to other parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes, lungs, chest wall, or abdominal organs.
Although mesothelioma incidence rates have increased in the past 20 years, the incidence is unruffled low. Currently, incidence of malignant mesothelioma can range from 7 to 40 per 1,000,000 in developed Western countries. In comparison, populations with high levels of smoking can have a lung cancer frequency of 1,000 per 1,000,000. The incidence of mesothelioma depends on the asbestos exposure of that status over the past few decades.
Related posts
Filed under Mesothelioma Symptoms by on Jul 13th, 2010.