Mesothelioma is an aggressive form of cancer that affects the abdomen, heart and the lining of the lungs. It can commonly develop in the lungs which can be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancer). This is a serious form of cancer that occurs from exposure to asbestos such as inhaling it from workplace which can take a long time for it to develop. Mesothelioma can develop in the types of cells that cover the outer surface of the organs known as mesothelial cells. Around 75% of the mesothelioma develops in the chest which is called pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma accounts for 25% of mesothelioma that develops in the abdomen. Rarely, the benign type of mesothelioma can develop in the lining of the reproductive organs.
Causes
Cancer develops as the result of genetic mutations occurring within cells which cause them to multiply abnormally and grow out of control. The exact cause of this genetic mutation is not known. The exposure to asbestos is considered to be a primary risk of developing this condition. Asbestos is made of microscopic fibers which can easily get into the lungs and get stuck thus damaging the lungs over time. Additional risk factors for developing this condition include certain inherited conditions, lifestyle choices and a family history of mesothelioma.
Symptoms
The early stage of this disease does not present any symptoms which can develop as the result of the cancer growing and pressing on the nerve or other organ. The symptoms are based on the part of the body affected. Some of the common symptoms associated with pleural mesothelioma include chest pain, shortness of breath, persistent cough, loss of appetite, husky voice, difficulty swallowing, loss of weight, sweating and fatigue. The symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include abdominal pain, diarrhea or constipation, loss of weight, feeling sick, swelling in the abdomen and poor appetite. Other forms of mesothelioma are very rare but the pericardial mesothelioma that develops in the tissues surrounding the heart can cause symptoms such as breathing difficulty and chest pain.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis is based on a physical examination that seeks to identify the presence of lumps or other unusual signs and various specialized tests. Some of the different tests used to diagnose this condition include the X-ray of the chest or abdomen, CT scan and the fluid drainage involving a procedure to remove the accumulated fluid in the lungs or the abdomen that is analyzed. A laparoscopy or thoracoscopy also involves a procedure that removes a sample of the affected tissue (biopsy) which will be examined under the microscope.
Treatment
The treatment for mesothelioma is based on the stage of the disease, if it has spread to other parts of the body and the general health of the individual. Possible treatment options include chemotherapy that uses medication to help shrink cancer, radiotherapy involving high-energy radiation to destroy cancer cells and a surgery to remove the cancerous area if detected in the early stage of the disease. If the condition is diagnosed at an advanced stage, the treatment focuses on the management of the symptoms and to prolong the life of the individual which is known as palliative or supportive care.
References
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/mesothelioma/Pages/Definition.aspx
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mesothelioma/basics/treatment/con-20026157
http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/mesothelioma/symptoms
