Understanding Mesothelioma Cancer
I
get the following question a lot so I thought it would be ideal to make it the
highlight of this article. What is mesothelioma? Mesothelioma (also known to be
called malignant mesothelioma) is a fairly rare form of cancer that affects the
mesothelium. Mesothelium… mesothelioma… you see the connection.
The
mesothelium is the thin tissue layer that lines (covers) most internal organs. Mesothelioma
can be very aggressive and deadly in its attacks, and although treatments are
available for its early stages, progression into more chronic stages will
result in certain death.
Types of Mesothelioma
There
are different types of mesothelioma based on the particular organ affected. The
common types are pleural mesothelioma (which affects the lungs), peritoneal mesothelioma (which affects the abdomen), pericardial mesothelioma (which affects the heart), and
less frequently, testicular mesothelioma (which affects the lining of
testicles). The most common form of mesothelioma is that of the lungs (pleural
mesothelioma), while the peritoneal,pericardial, and testicular forms are rare.
Mesothelioma Causes
Medical
research has shown that mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos. Asbestos
are a group of naturally occurring minerals that have been recognized for their
strength and fire resistance. Its fire retardant qualities made the use of
asbestos common in products such as roofing materials, cements and even fabric.
Over the past few decades however, its use has greatly declined in the
manufacturing of these products since it has been implicated as the principal
culprit causing mesothelioma. Prolonged exposure to asbestos is known to greatly
increase the risk of contracting the disease.
According
to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), almost 2000 people are
diagnosed of mesothelioma annually in the United Kingdom (UK), while in the
United States, over 2700 people die annually of mesothelioma. In the UK, deaths
from mesothelioma increased by up to 10 times from 1969 to 2009 and is not
showing any signs of letting up.
Mesothelioma Symptoms
The
symptoms of mesothelioma may take years (sometimes decades)
to develop. This makes early diagnosis of the condition rare, with most cases
being found when already advanced into the chronic stages. There are various
symptoms that result from mesothelioma and these symptoms depend principally on
the site of contraction. The evident symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are not
the same as those of pericardial or peritoneal mesothelioma.
The
diagnosis of mesothelioma is achieved through various techniques, but
ultimately it all begins with the examination of the symptoms observed by the
patient. The use of CT scans and X-rays are utilized to examine the potentially
affected area. If these tests do not reveal concrete evidence, then a biopsy is
carried out. Biopsy is a procedure that involves the removal of a small amount
of tissue (with the aid of a specialized needle) from the suspected area. These
tissues are then analyzed and observed under a microscope to confirm the presence
or absence of the disease.
In
conclusion, mesothelioma is fatal. By
knowing about common asbestos locations, possible asbestos exposure, the
warning signs, and symptoms, you are more likely to live a lot longer than the
average person diagnosed with mesothelioma because you will have the knowledge
to get screened for it annually. Prevention
can only be possible if you have never been around asbestos products. So, as
much as possible, stay away from asbestos-made products and avoid them at all
costs so that you will never run the risk of developing malignant mesothelioma.
REFERENCES
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