Mesothelioma - What is it?

Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a disease that develops after prolonged exposure to a material called asbestos. Asbestos, in wide use in industrial applications since the industrial revolution, where used in insulation materials, cement, brake linings, gaskets, flooring products, textiles. The link between asbestos and Mesothelioma has caused many countries to ban its use completely.

Mesothelioma is considered to be a rare form of cancer that develops in the mesothelium. This is the membrane that covers most of the internal organs of the human body. This membrane produces a lubricating fluid which allows moving organs such as the heart or the lungs to do so smoothly and with less friction as it comes into contact with adjacent organs or body parts.

The cancer forms when asbestos fibers are inhaled or otherwise ingested by a person. These fibers work their way into the layers of the mesothelium, leading to the development of cancer cells. After exposure to asbestos, one does not develop the symptoms of Mesothelioma immediately. The symptoms can appear after twenty to fifty years and can often be mistaken for something else since the symptoms are similar to other diseases too. A person is often diagnosed with the cancer only after a biopsy has been made. However, occupational exposure to asbestos is a major risk factor for Mesothelioma and knowledge of this fact by the diagnosing doctor should alert him or her to the possibility of the development of this disease. The symptoms of the disease include:

· Shortness of breath, cough and chest pains
· Fatigue or anemia
· Blood in the sputum
· Abdominal pain
· Weight loss
· Jaundice
· Low blood sugar level

Treatment is available for Mesothelioma, but total recovery from the disease is exceedingly rare. As with most cancer treatments, early identification improves chances if recovering from it. Among the methods doctors use in treating this disease include:

· Surgical removal of the affected part of the organ or of the tumor
· Radiotherapy and chemotherapy
· Immunotherapy
· Heated Intraoperative Intraperitonal Chemotherapy, which involves the surgical removal of the tumor and the direct application of heated chemotherapy medication into the abdomen which is drained after an hour or two.
· Multimodal Therapy or a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation.

Should you suspect you have this disease, immediately consult your physician.