Mesothelioma - Introduction

Mesothelioma is nothing but a cancer of mesothelium. Mesothelium is the covering structure of the most of the internal organs of the body.

Cancer as we all know is excess growth of cell of the particular organ or tissue. Here the triggering factor is believed to be the asbestos. Thats why it is called ASBESTOS LUNG CANCER.

Mesothelioma is predominantly noticed in pleura [the lining that covers the chest cavity and the lung]. The pericardium [the covering of the heart] and peritoneum [the covering of the abdominal cavity] are also affected by this dangerous cancerous growth

Mesothelioma - Causes

The mesothelioma cause is not much as we think. The people who are exposed to asbestos particle are highly prone for this dangerous disease condition. The people who are in the job of washing the dress materials of the person who is working in asbestos factory are also equally susceptible.

The reason is that these people may inhale the asbestos dust that comes out while washing the asbestos contaminated dress materials. The people who are in to house renovation using the asbestos mixed cement products are also coming under risk category. But one big relief is that there is no connection between the smoking habit and mesothelioma development.

Epidemiology

The incidence of asbestos lung cancer is one in ten lakh persons. As far as western countries are concerned the incidence is slightly high. The incidence of this disease is 7 – 40 in ten lakhs persons. The reason for the increased incidence in western countries is nothing but the industrialization.

As far as United States of America is concerned the mesothelioma incidence reached 15 people out of ten lakh persons in the year 2004.

The men are more prone for mesothelioma however this disease condition can be noticed women too. The risk of mesothelioma increases as the age increases but the disease can make its appearances at any age.

As far the part of the body is concerned the peritoneum are highly susceptible as nearly one third of the mesothelioma are found to be seen in peritoneum.

The Risk Factors

As discussed earlier the asbestos exposure is the major risk factor. This doesn’t imply that the person who are not at all exposed to asbestos are not be bothered by this dangerous disease condition.

Yes, there are reports of mesothelioma in those who were not at all having any connection to asbestos either directly and indirectly.

Mesothelioma can also be triggered by other substances such as irradiation, erionite [fibrous silicate], and thorium dioxide but the incidences are very rare.

Mesothelioma - Symptoms

The early symptoms of mesothelioma are generally non-specific, and may lead to a delay in diagnosis. Sometimes resembling viral pneumonia, pleural mesothelioma patients may present with shortness of breath, chest pain and/or persistent cough; some patients show no symptoms at all. A chest x-ray may show a build-up of fluid or pleural effusion (discussed below). The right lung is affected 60% of the time, with involvement of both lungs being seen in approximately 5% of patients at the time of diagnosis. Less common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include fever, night sweats and weight loss. Symptoms of peritonial mesothelioma may include pain or swelling in the abdomen due to a build-up of fluid, nausea, weight loss, bowel obstruction, anemia or swelling of the feet.

PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THAT THESE SYMPTOMS MAY BE CAUSED BY MESOTHELIOMA OR BY OTHER LESS SERIOUS CONDITIONS. ONLY A DOCTOR CAN MAKE A DEFINITIVE DIAGNOSIS

Pleural Effusion

One of the most common symptoms of mesothelioma is a pleural effusion, or an accumulation of fluid between the parietal pleura (the pleura covering the chest wall and diaphragm) and the visceral pleura (the pleura covering the lungs). Both of these membranes are covered with mesothelial cells which, under normal conditions, produce a small amount of fluid that acts as a lubricant between the chest wall and the lung. Any excess fluid is absorbed by blood and lymph vessels maintaining a balance. When too much fluid forms, the result is an effusion.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of pleural effusion is usually accomplished with a simple chest x-ray, although CT scans or ultrasound may also be used. A special x-ray technique, called a lateral decubitus film, may be used to detect smaller effusions or to enable the physician to estimate of the amount of fluid present. If the underlying cause of the effusion is readily apparent (such as in the case of severe congestive heart failure), sampling of the fluid may not be necessary, however, because pleural effusion may be symptomatic of a number of disease processes from benign to malignant, a fluid sample is generally taken. Diagnostic thoracentesis, in which cells are extracted from the pleural cavity, is commonly done when the possibility of mesothelioma exists, however, in up to 85% of cases, the fluid tests negative or inconclusive even though cancer is present. It is ultimately a needle biopsy of the pleura (lining of the lung) or an open surgical biopsy which confirms a mesothelioma diagnosis.

Treatment

Pleural effusion caused by heart failure or infection can usually be resolved by directing treatment at the cause, however, when testing has realized no diagnosis, and fluid continues to build or recur, doctors may recommend chest tube drainage and chemical pleurodesis. Chemical pleurodesis is a technique in which a sclerosing agent is used to abrade the pleural surfaces producing an adhesion between the parietal and visceral pleurae. This will prevent further effusion by eliminating the pleural space. Talc appears to be the most effective agent for pleurodesis, with a success rate of nearly 95%. It is highly effective when administered by either poudrage or slurry. Poudrage is the most widely used method of instilling talc into the pleural space. Before spraying the talc, the medical team removes all pleural fluid to completely collapse the lung. After the talc is administered, they inspect the pleural cavity to be sure the talc has been evenly distributed over the pleural surface. Some doctors prefer to use talc mixed with saline solution which forms a wet slurry that can roll around the pleural cavity.

TIME MATTERS

People diagnosed with this disease are often told the expected survival rate is only eight to twelve months. However, specialists in treating malignant mesothelioma at the leading cancer centers often have better statistics.

For instance, the five-year survival rate has approached 40% for selected patients of Dr. David Sugarbaker at Brigham and Women’s Center in Boston. To qualify for Dr. Sugarbaker’s treatment you must meet certain criteria. One of them is being in the early stages of the disease, so time is of the essence. To find out more about Dr. Sugarbaker and other physicians and cancer centers specializing in mesothelioma click on finding specialists.

Keeping track of your medical treatment is useful and a personal medical record file can help.