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Learning about Mesothelioma
by Wes Calinetter
http://www.ohiomesothelioma.com
Exposure to asbestos has been shown to be the cause of the
form of cancer known as Mesothelioma. Because of the threat
of Mesothelioma, most asbestos has been removed from public
and private locations, ever since we have known about the
effects of this illness. However, the threat of asbestos
exposure does still exist, and far from all cases of this
cancer are known, since it takes between 10 and 50 years
to exhibit the symptoms of Mesothelioma. So many people who
have been exposed years ago are still at risk for this
cancer. Parts of the population who may have breathed
particles of asbestos as far back as 1955 may still develop
Mesothelioma.
The three known types of Mesothelioma are pleural,
peritoneal and pericardial. Each attacks a different part
of the body, as the names imply. On a technical level, the
cancer affects the mesothelium, the sac that lines and
protects vital organs, such as the lungs and the heart.
Mesothelioma results in the cells within the lining of
the mesothelium becoming cancerous.
The most common form of the illness is Pleural
Mesothelioma, which targets the lung cavity, and the
protective lining of the lungs. Fluids build up between the
lung lining and the chest cavity in this type of
Mesothelioma. The patient develops pleural effusion as a
result. The symptoms of plural effusion are: shortness of
breath, a difficulty in breathing, a persistant cough that
frequently involves a bloody discharge, great difficulty in
swallowing, high fever and ultimately weight loss.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma ~ a rare form of the disease ~
affects the stomach and abdominal region. Although this
may first present itself in the abdomen, it can spread to
other parts of the body as it advances. The symptoms that
become apparent are due to the tumors which press against
the wall of the abdomen and may include abdominal pain and
swelling, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, chest pain,
respiratory problems, bowel obstructions, fever, anemia and
a disruption of the coagulation of the blood.
The rarest of all types of Mesothilioma is Pericardial
Mesothelioma. This version of the disease targets the heart
and the surrounding cavity.Once again, tumors form, causing
similar symptoms as Peritoneal Mesothelioma, such as
shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, chest pain,
palpitations and persistent coughing.
Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose because it exhibits
many symptoms that other diseases exhibit. Pneumonia and
heart disease both cause shortness of breath,heart disease
causes chest pain, etc. If the patient is not aware of any
prior exposure to asbestos,Mesothelioma will not be assumed
as a cause of these symptoms.That is the reason this cancer
is not often pursued by physicians as a cause of these
symptoms, unless all other possible diseases have been
ruled out.
The types of workers who are most prone to asbestos
exposure are shipbuilders, drywall removers, construction
workers, firemen, mechanics and demolition workers. They
are the most prone to developing Mesothelioma as a result.
Those who are close to the victims of this disease may
tragically be at a high risk for developing the disease as
well, because asbestos fibers cling to skin, hair, clothing
and shoes. The fibers are light, and easily become
airborne and eventually can be inhaled by those who are in
close proximity to the victims of the disease.
It can be treated so that patients can suffer less, but
there is no known cure for Mesothelioma. Support services
are usually put into place to help them cope, but the
diagnosis of Mesothelioma is a virtual death sentence.
Victims of the disease usually lose their lives within one
to one and one half years of diagnosis. Keeping patients
as comfortable possible and helping them to manage their
pain and respiratory problems is the primary therapy.
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