The word "mesothelioma" may strike some individuals as a bit intimidating—and for a good reason! The word comes from mixed Greek and Latin roots, and literally means "tumor of the inner lining". Often heard on the commercials of lawyers searching for workplace injury clients after exposure to asbestos, this disease has become a sort of house hold name. Because this disease attacks the lining that connects the internal organs to the body's larger structure, locating the cancer can be troublesome. Continue reading to learn more about this deadly disease, of which there are many varieties and symptoms. Mesothelioma Affects Different Body Parts Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer. It develops in the cells of the mesothelium, which is the protective membrane surrounding many of the body's internal organs, including the lungs, digestive system, heart, and reproductive system. The mesothelium's main function is to hold the internal organs in place, while also providing them with a lubricated surface to move against.
Facts about mesothelioma blood
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Coping with Mesothelioma and Finding Support
As you learn about mesothelioma and move forward with treatment, it's important to know you are never alone. Connecting with others in the community who can help you through the tough times.
Is mesothelioma a cancer? Mesothelioma is a type of asbestos cancer that develops in the tissue that lines the lungs, chest cavity and abdomen. Asbestos exposure can also cause lung cancer and the formation of tumors within the lungs. Characteristics of mesothelioma and lung cancer include rapid, uncontrolled cellular growth leading to tumors that impair the function of the lungs and other vital organs. What are the symptoms of mesothelioma? The most common mesothelioma symptoms include shortness of breath, chest pain, dry cough, wheezing and fatigue. Advanced symptoms may include fever, night sweats, muscle weakness and certain respiratory complications. How is mesothelioma treated? Mesothelioma is treated using chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy and multimodal therapy, which is a combination of two or more of these treatments. Clinical research trials offer experimental therapies such as immunotherapy, gene therapy and phototherapy. How long do mesothelioma patients live? The average mesothelioma life expectancy is about one year.
Crystal Structure of Tremolite Asbestos ~ Image Credit: Depositphotos/molekuul What is mesothelioma? Mesothelium is the name given to a protective, two-layered membrane which covers the internal organs of the body. These organs include the lungs and heart. Mesothelioma is a cancer that occurs between the layers of this membrane. It is caused by exposure to Asbestos. When was the first person diagnosed with this disease? The first case of mesothelioma was diagnosed in 1962. The person was an Australian man who worked in asbestos mines for 2 years. Are there any other causes of mesothelioma other than asbestos? No, the only cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. How long does mesothelioma take to occur after exposure to asbestos? Historically, mesothelioma takes 20-50 years after exposure to appear. However, the events of 9/11 and the rescue work that was subsequently required show a different result. In rescue workers at the World Trade Center, mesothelioma has appeared within 5 years.
In fact, up to seventy-five percent of mesothelioma is caused by work-related asbestos exposure. Having family members who are exposed to asbestos at work is also a risk factor for mesothelioma, because the asbestos fibers may be carried into the house on the family member's body or clothing. Next, discover how this form of cancer develops in relation to asbestos exposure. It Takes Years For It To Appear The Mesothelioma Organization Not everyone who is exposed to asbestos develops mesothelioma or even any other related disease. However, even a short period of asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma in individuals who are especially prone to it. Even one month of consistently being in an asbestos-contaminated environment has been documented to cause this cancer. The terrifying aspect of this form of cancer is that it does not appear for many years after the initial exposure to asbestos. It virtually never appears earlier than fifteen years after the exposure and can take fifty years or more on average to finally appear and be properly diagnosed.
This page was written by experienced mesothelioma nurses, Eleanor B. Ericson, RN, BSN and Lisa Hyde-Barrett, RN, who have decades of experience working with mesothelioma patients and their families. Patients and families affected by mesothelioma who contact MesoLawyersCare can be now be put in contact with Ellie and Lisa to address their medical questions and needs. Click here to learn more about Ellie and Lisa. Mesothelioma: Definition, Types and Symptoms Malignant mesothelioma is a rare cancer with no known cure. It starts in the cells lining the organs in chest, abdomen, and rarely in the heart, and the testicles, called mesothelial cells. Mesothelial cells also cover the outer surface of most of your internal organs, forming a lining known as the mesothelium. The mesothelium produces a fluid that acts as a lubricating agent to help the organs move against each other smoothly. Cancer begins when the cells for whatever reason start to grow out of control. The lining of mesothelium cells around the heart is called the pericardium, it creates the space that holds the heart in the chest.
Essential Facts About Mesothelioma - HealthPrep.com
The mesothelium also serves the secondary function of transporting fluids and nutrients across body cavities. Mesothelioma can affect any of the areas where the mesothelium is present. However, the most common is pleural mesothelioma—mesothelioma of the lung, which represents seventy-five percent of all mesothelioma cases. Continue reading to find out what causes this deadly disease. What Causes Mesothelioma? Huffington Post Canada The primary risk factor for contracting mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is a class of naturally occurring minerals, made up of tiny fibers. The fibers are released into the air when the mineral is disrupted, and inhaling these fibers causes a variety of serious illnesses. Asbestos has been known since ancient times, but it was not widely mined until World War II. The advent of this war caused a huge spike in the number of mesothelioma cases, and it was eventually discovered by scientists that asbestos is incredibly harmful to the human body. The majority of people who contract mesothelioma have worked in mining or similar fields, where there is a great risk of asbestos exposure.
There are three main types of mesothelioma based on the location in the body where tumors originate. Learn more
Pleural Mesothelioma
80%
The most common type
Forms in the lining of the lungs or chest wall
About 2, 500 new cases per year
Cell Type
Mesothelioma cancer is further categorized by the cell type that makes up the tumors. Each cell type grows and spreads in different ways, which ultimately affects how a patient may respond to cancer treatment and their life expectancy. Epithelioid
50 – 70%
Commonly occurs in the lungs
Most responsive to treatment
Average survival of 18-24 months
Biphasic
20 – 40%
Found in the lungs or abdominal cavity
Response to treatment varies
Average survival of 10-15 months
Sarcomatoid
10 – 20%
Less responsive to treatment
Treatment is often limited to palliative options
Average survival of 4-6 months
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Treating Mesothelioma
Most often, mesothelioma is treated with a multimodal plan, or combination, of conventional cancer treatment methods including surgery and chemotherapy.
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Patients who are diagnosed early and elect treatment may live for several years. The five-year survival rate is around 10%. What are my options for compensation if I have been diagnosed with mesothelioma? You may be eligible to seek compensation for mesothelioma from asbestos trust funds, lawsuits or VA claims. Speaking with a mesothelioma lawyer is the best way to learn about the legal options you may have if you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma. Could testing positive for COVID-19 affect my mesothelioma diagnosis? Testing positive for COVID-19 may delay an accurate diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma. Similar to mesothelioma, COVID-19 symptoms include shortness of breath, chest pain, fever and general weakness. Respiratory injury as a result of the virus may mask evidence of mesothelioma, leading to a delayed or inaccurate diagnosis of asbestos-related disease. Tell us what you think
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