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What Is
Mesothelioma?
Probably everyone is
aware that people can develop illnesses or
even cancer from exposure to
harmful chemicals. But did you
know that people come in contact
with these chemicals in their
workplaces without their
knowledge? The type of cancer
developed from this harmful
chemical
asbestos, is called Mesothelioma. Continual exposure
to asbestos in the workplace
causes cancer cells to form in
the body. This type of cancer generally
affects the lungs, but in some
instances, the cancer is able to
develop in the abdominal cavity
of the heart.
Many people question why
asbestos is so harmful to people
if it is comprised of minerals
that naturally appear within the
environment. The reason why it
is pernicious is quite simple:
Asbestos causes an unnatural and
harmful reaction within the
body. Unlike other minerals
which are found in the environment, the
minerals that comprise asbestos
are unaffected by fire and heat.
They do not dissolve, evaporate
into the air, or contain any
odor. In addition, the minerals
in asbestos are tasteless, thus
giving the harmful chemicals
free range to enter your body
through inhalation. For some
reason, many companies avoid
warning workers on the presence
and danger of asbestos.
Sometimes, the companies are
unaware of the presence of
asbestos, but most often they
are negligent and do
not warn their workers of the
dangerous chemicals that engulf
the workplace. Employees
unknowingly work within these
environments for months or years
on end, unequipped with proper
protective gear. When a
workplace is filled with
asbestos, the threat of
malignant Mesothelioma
is very
much present. The three ways the
body is susceptible to attack
from this deadly cancer are:
pleural
(lung), peritoneal
(stomach), and pericardial
(heart).
Symptoms Of
Mesothelioma
When dealing with the symptoms
associated with
Mesothilioma,
people should be aware that warning
signs may not appear until 20
years after they were unknowingly
exposed to asbestos. For the
three different types of Mesothelioma, Pleural,
Peritoneal, and Pericardial,
there are many different
symptoms. Pleural Mesothelioma
strikes the lining of the lungs
and causes shortness of breath,
persistent cough, and a pain
that lingers in the chest. A
victim of Pleural Mesothelioma
may also suffer from chronic
wheezing and a hoarse voice. All
of these symptoms stem from
excess fluid gathering in the
space surrounding the lungs.
When this type of cancer is
severe, the development of
numerous tumors may form. In
time, pneumothorax (collapsing
of the lungs) may occur.
Another type of this cancer
develops within the lining of
the abdominal cavity, Peritoneal
Mesothelioma. Unlike victims of
Pleural Mesotheloma, Peritoneal
Mesothelioma victims experience
weight loss, fatigue, weakness,
loss of appetite, and muscle
atrophy. This group of symptoms
is often referred to as
Cachexia. Diseases with weakened
immune systems and cancer
usually bring on cachexia.
Similar to Pleural Mesothilioma,
Peritoneal Mesothelioma also has
built up fluid, although this
form of the cancer has built up
fluid in the stomach cavity,
accompanied with abdominal
swelling and pain. Additional
signs that one suffers from
Peritoneal Mesotyelioma include:
fever, anemia, bowel
obstruction, and blood clotting.
In late stages of the cancer,
tumors may appear in the
abdominal cavity.
The third type of Mesothelioma,
which is Pericardial
Mesothilioma, attacks the heart,
as well as the lining
surrounding the heart.
Pericardial Mesothelioma is the
most rare form of all three
diseases. The symptoms of this
type of cancer are somewhat
similar to those of Pleural
Mesothelioma, but also include
chest pain, heart palpitations,
and a nagging cough. Severe
cases of Pericardial
Mesothilioma display a different
crop of symptoms. A patient may
notice a yellowing of the eyes
and skin. They may also
experience low blood sugar
levels, blood clots in the veins
and arteries. Severe bleeding
may also occur various organs
throughout the body.
Generally, Mesotheloma related
cancer does not spread to other
parts of the body besides, the
lungs, heart, and stomach, but
in some instances the disease
will breach other parts of the
human body (i.e. brain, bone, or
adrenal glands). When spreading
of the disease occurs,
additional signs and symptoms
may appear. These include but
are not limited to excessive
pain, trouble swallowing, and
swelling of the neck and/or
face.
What Exactly Is
Mesothelioma ?
Mesothelioma the
medical name for cancer of the
lung or the abdomen lining, and
is usually caused by exposure to
asbestos. Asbestos is a type of
building material used in
thermal insulation products and
ceiling tiles. Asbestos usage
peaked during the 1950s - 1970s,
but during the late 1960s
concerns over the health
consequences of asbestos
exposure began to arise, thereby
decreasing the amount of
asbestos manufactured over the
following two decades. But even
though new measures where
brought in to get rid of it,
many schools and public
buildings still contain
asbestos. Small asbestos fibers
that enter the air do not
evaporate and can remain
suspended in the air for a long
time. These fibers, when
breathed into the body, are
toxic. The following people are most at risk.
People working
in factories that manufacture
asbestos are likely to have a
high exposure to asbestos and
are most at risk of developing
asbestosis or mesotyelioma.
Family members of workers
exposed to asbestos in the
workplace are susceptible to
exposure from asbestos dust
brought home by the worker on
his clothes or skin. Those who
live in the vicinity of an
asbestos manufacturing plant are
also at risk.
Symptoms of
mesotyelioma 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. Many people
who have not been in contact with
asbestos for decades are now
showing symptoms of this
dreadful disease. As with many
forms of cancer, mesothelioma
can spread rapidly. Symptoms
include shortness of breath,
coughing, loss of weight, and
chest pains. If it is diagnosed
early enough, the tumor can be
surgically removed, and with
chemotherapy and radiation
treatment, a full recovery is
often possible. However, in more
advanced cases, cure is
not usually 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
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