Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos and is the term used to describe a cancerous tumor involving the mesothelial cells of an organ, usually the lungs or abdominal organs. Mesothelium which is the tissue formed by the mesothelial cells, produces a fluid that allows the organs to move without irritating the nerves. The most common places where malignant mesothelioma are found is in the pleural and peritoneal regions of the body. The pleura is the thin membrane that lines the lungs and chest cavity, while the membrane that encloses the organs of the abdomen is the peritoneal. Plueral mesothelioma is cancer of the pleura and often referred to as lung cancer. Less common is peritoneal mesothelioma which is a cancer of the peritoneum which is the lining of the membrane that encloses the organs of the abdomen. While peritoneal mesotheliomas are less common than pleural mesotheliomas, they tend to be more invasive, and may result in a shorter life expectancy for the patient. Both cancers involve delicate membranes composed of connective tissue. The rarest type of mesothelioma is pericardial mesothelioma which is found in the lining of the heart.
Mesothelioma Symptoms
The symptoms of mesothelioma can be minor and often ignored or mistaken for other types of illnesses. The early symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are shortness of breath, chest pains or a cough. In some cases the common diagnosis for this disease can be pneumonia. Peritoneal mesothelioma is cancer is in the area surrounding the abdominal organs and may cause weight loss, swelling and nausea and the development of an effusion or build up of excessive fluid. This build up of fluid is a symptom that occurs in both pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma and is caused by an imbalance in the mesothelium cells.
The advanced symptoms of mesothelioma can result in the patient suffering fatigue, sweating, coughing up blood and blood clotting. The disease is usually diagnosed through either x-ray, CT scan or ultrasound. A small percentage of patients diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma have it in both lungs and a high percentage have lower back pain or pain at the side of the chest. With the onset of mesothelioma a symptom of cancer cell growth may be an increase in waist size and signs of pain in the abdomen.
The information on this website is presented by asbestos-hazards.com and is for informational purposes only. It is not guaranteed to be completely up-to-date or accurate. No particular course or type of treatment for any person is suggested. All persons are advised to consult with a medical doctor concerning treatment of mesothelioma or any illness related to asbestos exposure.