Are you aware of a condition called as Mesothelioma? People who have heard about the condition wonder is Mesothelioma cancer? So here you will learn all the information about Mesothelioma. It is a type of cancer that originates from the thin layer of tissue that is present in the internal organs. Moreover, lining of the lungs and chest are the areas affected by this cancer. It also happens in places like the sac near the heart and the abdomen. Some of the Mesothelioma symptoms are shortness of breath, swollen abdomen, tiredness, weight loss and more. This will start slowly and become severe overtime.
Many numbers of Mesothelioma conditions happen because of asbestos exposure. The high rates of the disease happen with people who work with the asbestos product. Then some of the risk factors of this disease can happen because of genetics and simian virus 40. Also, the doctors confirm it by examining the cancer fluids.
The doctors try to prevent the growth of Mesothelioma by reducing exposure to asbestos. Furthermore, Mesothelioma treatment includes radiation therapy, surgery and chemotherapy. A procedure termed pleurodesis proves beneficial for treating the building up of fluid. This cancer was rare but after the commercial use of asbestos, it affected many people all over the world. Let’s have an in-depth look at the cancer and its causes.
Mesothelioma Symptoms
As Mesothelioma affects the lungs and the heart its symptoms can be identified. Have a look at the different types of Mesothelioma and its symptoms. The symptoms might differ according to the type. These signs and the symptoms are important because it helps the doctors to identify the problem. Therefore, knowing about the different types of Mesothelioma Symptoms is essential as it can save someone’s life.
1. Pleural mesothelioma
It is a type of cancer tumour that develops in the thin lining of the lungs. Its medical term is pleura hence the cancer is mesothelioma of pleura. The main cause of cancer is asbestos exposure. Some of the symptoms of this cancer are pain in the chest, coughing, Pleural effusion, wheezing, blood in the sputum and more.
2. Peritoneal mesothelioma
Peritoneal mesothelioma is a type of mesothelioma cancer that occurs in the lining of the abdomen. Its scientific term is Peritoneal hence it is mesothelioma of the peritoneum. If the asbestos fibres go inside the body, then it can lead to cancer. Some of the symptoms of this condition are abdominal swelling and pain. Also, there may be a build-up of fluids in the abdominal cavity.
3. Pericardial Mesothelioma
This is one of the rare types of Mesothelioma cancer. It occurs in the pericardium which is a sac around the heart. Many patients who suffer from this condition experience poor prognosis. Also, there are only a few cases of people who have escaped from its toils. As the cases of this cancer are rare there are no particular symptoms. However constrictive pericarditis, pulmonary embolism, heart failure are the symptoms of this disease.
4. Testicular Mesothelioma
This is cancer that forms in the membranes present in the testis. There is no set of particular symptoms for this cancer. However, the most common symptoms identified for this disease is a hydrocele. This causes a build-up of fluids in the scrotum. Other than this there are no well-known symptoms for this type of Mesothelioma.
Stages of Mesothelioma
The doctors specialising in Mesothelioma have grouped it into four stages. This helps them to know what stages their patients are in. Stage 1 of cancer has a better prognosis for the patients. But stage 4 also termed the end-stage means that the life expectancy of the patients is short. Moreover, the condition of the patient starts to get worse in stage 3.
They have less chance of survival. The only cancer that has unique stages is Pleural Mesothelioma. The other types of cancer have similar stages. Know about the four stages of Mesothelioma cancer here.
Stage 1
In this stage, a patient suffering from pleural mesothelioma may get treatment options. Cancer may not have infected the lining beyond the lungs. Also, the growth of the tumour happens only in a single area in this stage. So the people have better chances of survival at this stage. But they do not experience any symptoms of cancer at this stage therefore they can be unaware of the condition.
Stage 2
In stage 2 the tumours will start to spread in other places too. But treatments options are available at this stage too. The tumours will be small so doctors will be able to remove them through surgery. So the patients have the chance of survival at this stage. Moreover, the treatments can be aggressive for the patients which can help them to stay alive for three to five years.
Stage 3
The condition of the patients can worsen in stage 3. Cancer would have spread to several tissues near the affected area. The patients surviving stage 3 may get qualified for surgery. But it will depend on the size and location of cancer. The patients can experience symptoms at this stage like breathing difficulties, pain, bloating, dry cough and more.
Stage 4
If a patient is in the fourth and the last stage of Mesothelioma cancer, then the cancer is in multiple areas in the body. It will limit the treatment options and the tumour is irremovable through surgery. The patients may experience lots of unbearable symptoms at this stage like constant digestive problems, bowel obstruction, weight loss, fatigue, muscle weakness and more. The doctors may try to treat cancer by chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Mesothelioma survival rates at this stage are very low. But many patients were able to live a year because of treatments.
Causes of Mesothelioma
The major cause of Mesothelioma cancer is working with asbestos. It is a natural mineral made of fibrous silicate mineral. Sometimes they can also get released into the atmosphere through abrasion. Many people who have worked with asbestos products have got diagnosed with this cancer. But people who were not near asbestos in their life have also suffered from this cancer. Some studies also show evidence of cancer because of carbon-fibre nanotubes.
The population living near the naturally occurring asbestos most of the times get exposed to the mineral. So this is the reason why many suffered from cancer. Also, people who worked in mines where the mineral existed also got diagnosed with Mesothelioma. In places like Greece, asbestos was found in the soil and the residents in those places lost their lives because of cancer.
Moreover, in a few cases, genetic mutation is also the reason for cancer. People with a germline mutation in the BAP1 gene have a high risk of getting cancer.
Mesothelioma Treatment
There are many well-known treatments performed on patients with Mesothelioma. Here are some of the treatments available.
- Surgery
The patients in the early stages of cancer undergo surgery to remove the tumour.
- Radiation
Radiation therapy helps the doctors in treating the patients. It lessens the symptoms like chest pain.
- Chemotherapy
Sometimes the doctors may recommend the chemotherapy to Mesothelioma patients. This is for patients who do not qualify for surgery.
- Multimodal Therapy
This is a combination of two or more methods to treat cancer. It is useful for patients with pleural and peritoneal Mesothelioma. Here is the list of top 10 Hospitals for Mesothelioma Treatment.
Risk factors
The risk factor is a word used for things that worsens the cancer conditions. Here is the list of risk factors for Mesothelioma.
- Asbestos is the major cause of Mesothelioma cancer. So it is the first risk factor. The people who get exposed to it get this type of cancer.
- Zeolite is a chemical that comes from Asbestos. Many regions are known to have larger amounts of this chemical which is dangerous.
- Radiation is also a risk factor. When undergoing treatment with radiation many people have got exposed to high doses of it. Also, this can worsen the health of the patients.
- People with SV40 virus infection have a high risk of getting Mesothelioma cancer.
- Older people are more at risk to get Mesothelioma.
Legal and Financial Options for Mesothelioma
As cancers like Mesothelioma is very expensive to treat many patients have become bankrupt. For other patients, it has created a huge hole in their savings so they cannot get money for other important matters in their life. So that is why pre-planning is vital if someone gets diagnosed with Mesothelioma.
The patient along with his family members can check the finances and other options. They can also know about the benefits they can get from their health insurance. There are some arrangements like deductible, co-insurance, co-pay that will prove useful.
There are Asbestos Trust Funds available if the patient is suffering from cancer because of work. They can consult with a Mesothelioma lawyer to get compensation from the trust fund or for Mesothelioma Lawsuit. This can help them to pay for the treatments. Moreover, there are other forms of legal compensation too.
Conclusion
These are the information about Mesothelioma symptom, stages and treatments. As cancer can make life difficult for the patient as well as the family members it is always best to know about the legal compensations.
Questions and Their Answers related to Mesothelioma
Question 1: Is Mesothelioma cancer?
Answer : Yes Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that happens in that part of tissue which is thin and covers almost major internal organs.
Question 2: What the are Mesothelioma survival rates?
Answer : Pleural Mesothelioma survival rate is approximately 73% for one year. And 12% for 5 years.
Question 3: Why is Mesothelioma so deadly?
Answer : Malignant tumor is responsible for Mesothelioma. Most of the mesothelioma patients survive only 12 months after diagnosis that’s why this disease is so deadly.
