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What Is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that affects the mesothelium is a protective membrane, which is the heart, lungs and other internal organs. This rare cancer is often caused by exposure to asbestos or other lung irritants. The disease is extremely aggressive, often resistant to most common mesothelioma cancer treatments. There is no cure for this serious disease, but many researchers focus on this area. Successful induction of remission in some patients, and there are treatment options to relieve the pain, prolong life expectancy and improve the patient's quality of life.

Mesothelioma Symptoms

The primary symptoms of mesothelioma early chest pain, cough, fatigue. Although caused by asbestos, this cancer symptoms do not appear up to 50 years after exposure to the irritant. In general, mesothelioma does not appear until at least 20 years of the initial exposure. Given that the early symptoms are mild, and can cause many other diseases, combined with a late appearance after exposure, mesothelioma often goes undiagnosed until the cancer is worsening and becoming more serious. Later symptoms include anemia, unexplained weight loss, difficulty swallowing, diarrhea or constipation, chest pain, bowel obstruction, and night sweats. The prognosis is much better if the disease is caught early. As such, anyone that has been exposed to asbestos should seek immediate medical attention if they experience persistent chest pain, cough or fatigue.

Mesothelioma Diagnosis

Unfortunately, mesothelioma symptoms overlap with symptoms of many other diseases. As a result, the diagnosis can be difficult. Applicant patients with severe symptoms of cancer will undergo a complete physical, imaging, tissue biopsy, and lung function tests. Other tests, such as liquid biopsy, magnetic resonance images, and the blood test is also available to get a complete picture of the disease oncologist.

Types of Mesothelioma

As noted above, the mesothelium cover the heart, lungs and other internal organs. Any bodies that regulate the protective membrane can affect the course of mesothelioma. Three main types of mesothelioma that target three different regions identified. More than 75% of the patients suffering from mesothelioma, pleural mesothelioma, which is the center of the pleural lining of the lungs. These patients are likely to experience shortness of breath, hoarseness, chest pain, fatigue and muscle. Peritoneal mesothelioma in the peritoneum or the center of the membrane, the organs of the abdomen. Peritoneal mesothelioma may cause fever, diarrhea, constipation, weight loss, blood clotting problems, fluid accumulation and intestinal obstruction. The last and most rare type of mesothelioma affects the pericardium, or membrane surrounding the heart. Rare and aggressive, pericardial mesothelioma causes severe chest pain, heart palpitations, breathing problems, chest pain, coughing. Pericardial mesothelioma patients are often not candidates for surgery, this form of the disease is not usually diagnosed only at later stages.

Who Gets Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma caused by asbestos inhalation. The distraction breathing, traveling to the internal organs throughout the body. Depending on the lands of asbestos on their travels, the lungs, heart, or abdominal organs can be affected. Anyone who works with asbestos materials of living at an increased risk for this serious disease. Examples of professionals dealing with this dangerous substance as follows: some military veterans, builders, renovation crews, mechanics, insulators, asbestos miners and millers, boiler workers, employees and asbestos manufacturing. Given the serious nature of this disease, who are working in these professions, as well as others who have worked with asbestos, should seek immediate medical attention if symptoms appear above.

Living With Mesothelioma

Although mesothelioma is considered an aggressive tumor, some patients have lived many years with this disease. Proper diet, regular exercise and relaxation techniques are important to maintain the high quality of life. While mesothelioma is no cure, proper treatment and a positive outlook can help ensure the happiness and comfort to the majority of patients.