Mesothelioma is the name given to tumors that form in the mesothelium. Mesothelium is a type of tissue that makes up the lining of cavities or hollows that protect and surround particular organs. Mesothelioma refers to tumors that develop in the mesothelium. This tissue forms the following:
The pleura is a membrane that wraps around your lungs.
The peritoneum is a membrane that wraps around the organs in your abdominal cavity and pelvic region.
The pericardium is the membrane that encircles your heart.
The tunica vaginalis is the tissue that encircles both of your testicles.
When they hear the phrase "mesothelioma," the majority of people immediately think of cancer of the pleura. This particular form of mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure and, in most cases, results in malignancy.
What distinct subtypes of mesothelioma are there?
Mesothelioma can be referred to in a variety of different ways. Checking to see if the tumor is cancerous (also known as malignant mesothelioma) or not cancerous is one approach (benign mesothelioma). The following terms refer back to the cavities that are generated by mesothelial tissue and are used to describe the other types:
Pleural mesothelioma.
Peritoneal mesothelioma. You could also hear of this condition being referred to as abdominal mesothelioma.
Pericardial mesothelioma.
Cancer that affects the tunica vaginalis and the testis. There is another name for this condition, which is testicular mesothelioma.
The type of cell that initiates the growth of the tumor is another factor that can be used to classify the different types of mesothelioma. These categories include:
Epithelioid. The outlook for this particular variety of cell is typically more favorable than that of the others. The majority of the cells that make up your body are called epithelial cells.
Sarcomatoid. Sarcomatoid cells are some of the rarest cells that can be found in the human body. Because of their shape, it is more difficult for them to adhere to one another, which increases the likelihood that they may transfer to another part of your body. This gives them an even greater threat.
Biphasic. This is a hybrid of the first two categories of products.
Who is at risk for developing mesothelioma?
Exposure to asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral that is utilized in a variety of different industries, has been linked to mesothelioma. Although its utilization in the United States is now subject to regulation and there are safeguards in place, this wasn't always the case in the past. People who were exposed between 20 and 40 years ago are just now beginning to show symptoms of the disease.
There are three times as many cases of mesothelioma diagnosed in men than there are in women. The majority of diagnoses involve middle-aged to elderly males (between the ages of 50 and 70).
Due to increasing exposure to asbestos products, workers in the following industries were at a greater risk, and it is possible that this danger still exists today:
Buildings being constructed, demolished, and roofs being removed (asbestos is used in insulation and some tiles).
Shipbuilding.
Mining.
Milling.
Mechanics. (Some types of brakes include asbestos)
Veterans of the armed forces may have been exposed to hazardous materials in a variety of settings, including military bases, ships, and construction sites.
Asbestos exposure does not appear to play a role in the development of mesothelioma in children. Children who have been treated for earlier forms of cancer with radiation therapy are at an increased risk of getting mesothelioma later in life. This is because radiation therapy exposes cells to high levels of radiation.
How common is the cancer of the mesothelium?
Mesothelioma is an extremely uncommon kind of cancer. At this time, it is anticipated that each year there are between 3,000 and 4,000 new cases of mesothelioma diagnosed in the United States. About 2,500 people have been diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma out of the total number of cases.
INDICATORS AND ROOT CAUSES
What signs and symptoms are associated with mesothelioma?
It is possible to have mesothelioma without any symptoms at all, and the symptoms that you experience may vary according on the subtype of mesothelioma that you have. It is possible to have the following conditions if you have any of the several kinds of mesothelioma:
Fever.
Nighttime perspiration
A widespread sense of malaise, another name for this feeling of being poorly.
Weakness.
Loss of weight that was not intended.
Mesothelioma of the pleura: its warning signs and symptoms
Dyspnea refers to a shortness of breath that develops gradually and progressively worsens over time.
Chest discomfort.
Having a hard time swallowing (dysphagia).
the presence of lumps in the chest area
A buildup of fluid on the lungs (pleural efflusion).
Peritoneal mesothelioma can be identified by its signs and symptoms.
Abdominal discomfort.
Anemia.
Abnormal fluid collection (ascites).
Diarrhea.
a lack of appetite as well as a reduction in weight.
Symptoms of nausea and vomiting
An obstruction in the region of the small intestine.
Mesothelioma of the pericardium manifestations and symptoms
a lowering of the blood pressure.
irregular patterns of the heart's beat.
Chest discomfort.
Difficulty in taking a breath
Mesothelioma of the testis and tunica vaginalis: symptoms and signs of the disease
Hydrocele (swelling in the scrotum caused by fluid collection) (swelling in the scrotum caused by fluid collection).
An abnormal growth in the scrotum.
Hernia of the inguinal canal
Spermatocele (cyst in the epididymis) (cyst in the epididymis).
What are the risk factors for mesothelioma?
A history of exposure to asbestos fibers and dust is the primary factor in the development of mesothelioma in adults. The majority of persons who develop mesothelioma were, in most cases, subjected to asbestos in the course of their employment. It can take up to twenty years or more for symptoms to appear.
There have been isolated cases of persons developing mesothelioma after being exposed to silica or erionite, two minerals that are chemically and physically similar. Erionite is a kind of the mineral zeolite, which has been associated with an increased risk of mesothelioma.
Additionally, researchers are looking at whether or not a person's genes have a role in their likelihood of acquiring mesothelioma. This is due to the fact that mesothelioma has only occurred in a relatively tiny fraction of those who have been subjected to asbestos.
Other potential causes are also being investigated by researchers, and they include being exposed to chemicals, suffering from viral illnesses, and being exposed to radiation. In addition, radiation therapy has been linked to the development of mesothelioma in children.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTS
How is mesothelioma identified as a disease?
In addition to doing a physical exam, your healthcare professional will take notes on your medical history. The first pieces of information can be gleaned from observing your symptoms and listening to your chest. Your healthcare professional will most likely conduct a battery of tests in order to arrive at a diagnosis. These testing might involve the following:
Blood testing.
Exams of the function of the lungs
Imaging tests may be performed, such as chest X-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans, positron emission tomography (PET) scans, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, although the latter two are used far less frequently.
Biopsy.
THE MANAGEMENT AS WELL AS THE TREATMENT OF
How is the disease known as mesothelioma treated?
The treatment for mesothelioma is different for each subtype of the disease. The treatment for benign mesothelioma, also known as noncancerous mesothelioma, is distinct from the treatment for malignant mesothelioma.
Treatment for mesothelioma that is not malignant
Tumors caused by benign forms of mesothelioma are not malignant and do not spread to other parts of the body through a process known as metastasis. They are also able to proliferate in the abdominal cavity, the pleura, and the reproductive organs of both men and women. In most cases, your doctor or other medical professional will remove them through a surgical operation. If they are eliminated in their entirety, they will not typically return. In the event of some types of benign mesothelioma, further treatment, such as chemotherapy, may be suggested by some medical professionals.
Medications used in the treatment of malignant mesothelioma
After a diagnosis of mesothelioma has been made, your healthcare professional will evaluate the information at hand to determine the stage of the disease you are now experiencing. The process of determining the severity of cancer is referred to as staging. When referring to a sickness, higher staging numbers (such as Stage III or Stage IV) almost always indicate that the condition has worsened.
The malignant pleural mesothelioma subtype is the most typical form of the cancerous mesothelioma disease. However, if you have any type of malignant mesothelioma, your treatment choices may include surgery, either with or without chemotherapy or other types of therapy, as well as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and other types of therapy that do not need surgery.
If your doctor stages your tumor and determines that you are able to have surgery, then you will be scheduled for surgery to have the tumor removed. However, less than 33 percent of persons diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma are candidates for this particular form of surgery. You might also get chemotherapy or radiation therapy, but this is not guaranteed.
Chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy may be used to treat the tumor in the event that surgery is not an option. You might have the opportunity to participate in clinical trials for treatments now under investigation, such as antiangiogenic therapy and biologic drugs. Treatments that inhibit angiogenesis work to eradicate cancer by cutting off the disease's access to blood and oxygen.
Complications that can arise during the process of treating malignant mesothelioma
Even if surgery and chemotherapy might be the most effective forms of treatment, there is still a possibility that these procedures will result in consequences such as the following:
Infection.
Heart attack (myocardial infarction).
Failure of the kidneys
many organs or body systems failing simultaneously
Incapacity to wean off of a respirator device (a breathing machine).
PREVENTION
How can I lower my risk of developing mesothelioma?
Avoiding asbestos and other carcinogenic minerals is the most effective method for preventing mesothelioma. If you are required to be in an environment that contains asbestos, it is imperative that you wear a mask and clothes that protect you from the substance.
OUTLOOK / PROGNOSIS
If I have mesothelioma, what can I expect from the disease?
The outlook for patients diagnosed with any form of malignant mesothelioma is not good. After receiving a diagnosis, the majority of patients pass away within the first 12 months, with the majority dying within the first four to six months. Nevertheless, there are people who have survived longer than that, and only a select few of them were still living when the five-year threshold was reached.
LIVING WITH
When should I next make an appointment with my primary care physician?
It is likely that your mesothelioma expert may want to visit you at certain intervals if you have been treated for malignant melanoma. You should also make an appointment with your primary care physician. These medical professionals will keep an eye on your overall health and may perform tests to check for a recurrence of the cancer.
If you are experiencing side effects from chemotherapy or radiation treatment, make sure to ask your doctor about strategies to improve your quality of life. It's possible that there are more choices available than you realize.
Be sure that you are aware of the circumstances in which you should seek emergency medical attention, such as when you are experiencing symptoms such as acute dizziness or fever. After that, put those recommendations into action. It is never inappropriate to get in touch with your service provider to ask any questions you might have.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is death the only possible outcome of mesothelioma?
Benign mesothelioma, often known as mesothelioma that has not developed into cancer, does not result in death. Malignant mesothelioma, on the other hand, virtually usually results in the patient's death.
The fact that malignant mesothelioma can progress for years without causing any symptoms is one of the contributing factors to the disease's high mortality rate. One more reason is that the disease can't be treated very effectively with any of the available treatments at the moment.
How long does a person typically live after being diagnosed with mesothelioma?
Because there are numerous subtypes of mesothelioma, the life expectancy estimations can be rather variable. And everybody is different when it comes to their age, their overall health, and their other preexisting illnesses. If the mesothelioma is discovered at an early stage and treated as aggressively as is humanly possible, you will almost certainly have better results.
The Cleveland Clinic has a note for you.
If you are someone who has worked with asbestos in the past and you are having difficulties breathing, you should contact your healthcare practitioner to get checked out as soon as possible. In the event that you discover you have mesothelioma, collaborate with the members of your healthcare team to formulate a strategy for each of the potential outcomes. This may involve gathering as much information as possible and discussing the situation with members of your family and circle of friends. You might discover that participating in a support group or seeking professional counseling is beneficial to you. It is recommended that, if at all possible, you take part in clinical research investigations. Support and information will be provided to you by your healthcare team.
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