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Mesothelioma Cancer Facts
by Kevin
http://www.mesotheliomalawyer4u.com/
Mesothelioma (cancer of the mesothelium) is a disease in
which cells of the mesothelium become abnormal and divide
without control or order. They can invade and damage nearby
tissues and organs.
Risk factors for Mesothelioma
Working with asbestos is the major risk factor for
mesothelioma. A history of asbestos exposure at work is
reported in about 70 percent to 80 percent of all cases.
However, mesothelioma has been reported in some individuals
without any known exposure to asbestos.
The risk of asbestos-related disease increases with heavier
exposure to asbestos and longer exposure time. However,
some individuals with only brief exposures have developed
mesothelioma. On the other hand, not all workers who are
heavily exposed develop asbestos-related diseases.
Symptoms of Mesothelioma
Symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until 30 to 50
years after exposure to asbestos. Shortness of breath and
pain in the chest due to an accumulation of fluid in the
pleura are often symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. Symptoms
of peritoneal mesothelioma include weight loss and
abdominal pain and swelling due to a buildup of fluid in
the abdomen.
Diagnosis of Mesothelioma Cancer
A biopsy is needed to confirm a diagnosis of mesothelioma.
In a biopsy, a surgeon or a medical oncologist (a doctor
who specializes in diagnosing and treating cancer) removes
a sample of tissue for examination under a microscope by a
pathologist. A biopsy may be done in different ways,
depending on where the abnormal area is located. If the
cancer is in the chest, the doctor may perform a
thoracoscopy. In this procedure, the doctor makes a small
cut through the chest wall and puts a thin, lighted tube
called a thoracoscope into the chest between two ribs.
Mesothelioma Treatment
Treatment for mesothelioma depends on the location of the
cancer, the stage of the disease, and the patient's age and
general health. The common treatments are
* Surgery
* Radiation Therapy
* Chemotherapy
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