Information On Lung, Mesothelioma & Asbestos
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What Is Mesothelioma? Mesothelioma the medical name for cancer of the pleura (the lining of the lung and chest cavity) or cancer of the peritoneum (the lining of the abdomen). It is usually caused by prolonged or persistent exposure to asbestos. Symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until between twenty and fifty years after exposure, which explains why so many new cases of this form of cancer are coming to light now, even though the dangers of asbestos were realized long ago and measures taken to reduce the risk of the disease. As with many forms of cancer, the mesothelioma tumor can spread rapidly, often infecting the opposite pleura, and continuing on to other internal organs. Symptoms include a shortness of breath, chest pains, coughing, and loss of weight. Testing can be carried out initially by X-Ray, with a Thoric CT and open lung biopsy being used to confirm the findings of the early tests. If it is diagnosed early enough, the tumor can be surgically removed, and with follow-up chemotherapy and radiation treatment, full recovery is often possible. However, in more advanced cases, cure is usually not possible. In such cases, chemotherapy and radiation treatment can be used alongside other pain relief treatments, to ease the symptoms. Where cure is not possible, the average survival time is between four and eighteen months, depending on the stage of the tumor and the general health of the patient.
The Symptoms of Pleural Mesothelioma Pleural Mesothelioma is generally an intense form of cancer that affects the membrane lining in the chest cavity. A few cases are good-natured as well. Today it is known that this form of cancer is caused by the inhaling of asbestos particles either during manufacturing or coming in contact whit the material or from living next to surroundings where asbestos is used. About three thousand new occurrences are brought to light in the USA every year. The time mesothelioma needs to break out can be very long and vary highly. Sometimes it takes 15 years but there were also cases in the past where it took up to 40 years and longer. So most patients diagnosed with this disease are in the age group of sixties or also seventies. Because of this long latency period the disease can be in an advanced stage before it is diagnosed correctly. So the following treatment may be less effective. It is very hard to diagnose pleural mesothelioma because this disease has no striking symptoms at the first view. The alarming indicators are disphagia (difficulty in swallowing), dyspnea (shortness of breath), persistent coughing and tightness in chest accompanied by chest pain. Warnings that the cancer has spread can be: a swollen neck, face and sometimes engorged arms. Other indications could also be fever, sweating, hoarseness or overfatigue. A further and more sophisticated stage of the symptoms can be the coughing up of blood. In this case those symptoms are mainly caused by a fluid collection in the thoracic area (effusion). It is also possible that the weak pellicle which is covering the lungs may fatten and decrease expansion and contraction. So it’s harder to breathe. The cancer can spread without noticing. In certain circumstances no noticeable signs may show till it is out of hand. 84% of the patients have pleural effusions (fluid collection). The major symptoms of the pleural mesothelioma are shortness of breath (88%) and weight loss (28%). |
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Disclaimer:
THIS WEBSITE IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. The information is intended to educate mesothelioma
and asbestos lung cancer patients and their families about this disease. Patients are strongly advised to consult with their physicians
and/or their attorney regarding their medical and/or legal options. Nothing on this website should be construed to constitute medical or legal advice.
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