Mesothelioma is a medical condition in which an x-ray graph of the affected person shows malignant tumor mesothelium. The mesothelium is the thin lining on the surface of the body cavities and the organs found within them. Mesothelioma is an uncommon form of cancer which a high number of cases have been diagnosed in the asbestos mining region of South Africa, USA, Australia, Canada, UK and the rest of the world. The majority of people with mesothelioma have history of job that exposed them to asbestos, which was widely in as insulation material in the early twentieth century.
Most mesothelioma problem begins as a small or several nodules that progressively grow to become a solid coating of tumor surrounding the lung, abdominal organs and the heart. It starts with the inhaling or ingestion of asbestos fibres which travel their way through the lung and the body before they finally settled on the mesothelial linings. Mesothelioma is a disease of the chest cavity. Its commonly occurs in the chest cavity which up to 90% is normally associated with asbestos exposure. The asbestos fibres that are inhaled through the nostrils quickly walk their way through the lung tissue and into the pleural (chest) cavity. On the other hand asbestos fibres that are swallowed through the mouth have been proved to have penetrated the walls of the intestines and appear in the abdominal (peritoneal) cavity.
Mesothelioma risk increases with intensity and duration of exposure to asbestos fibres but typically does not occur for 20 to 50years after the exposure to asbestos dusts or fibres. Mesothelioma is presently difficult to treat in most cases and survival beyond two years is unusual and rare though there are many exceptions to this common phenomenon.
Studies on mesothelioma form of cancer started in South Africa when an epidemic of it began in 1950s and 1960s among the asbestos mine workers in that country. The high numbers of people showing the same set of symptoms led researchers to investigate the link between asbestos hails exposure and the possibility of contracting mesothelioma. Unfortunately, the delay between asbestos exposure and the first symptoms of mesothelioma and makes things difficult for researchers. The study of the relationship between mesothelioma and asbestos becomes more difficult and complicated by politics at the time of investigation.
The powerful persons behind asbestos mines in those days did not want established evidence that linked asbestos to mesothelioma lung cancer. But in 1962, the first scientific study result was published and presented, this study result showed that the inhalation of asbestos (hails or fibres) instigates the growth of malignant pleural mesothelioma and asbestosis.
After the establishment of the causative link between asbestos and mesothelioma susceptibility, little was done to stop asbestos exposure in and around mines. The risks of mesothelioma infection increases with some forms of asbestos, particularly crocidolite fibres and further studies have also shown that there are increasing evidence that mesothiloma can also be caused by elements such as radiation, viruses and man-made mineral fibres but mesothelioma cannot be contacted through smoking.
There are three primary types of malignant mesothelioma: Epitheloid, sarcomatiod and mixed/biphasic mesothelioma. Epitheloid mesothelioma has the best outlook for survival and approximately 50% to 70% of all mesothelioma cases are epitheloid. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma are said to be 7% to 20% cases of mesothelioma diagnosed while mixed/biphasic mesothelioma are 20% to 35% of all mesothelioma cases. Most mesothelioma, about ¾ of all mesothelioma cases begin in the chest cavity and are called pleural mesothelioma. Peritoneal mesothelioma which makes up around 10% to 20%of all cases usually occur in the abdomen through the swallowing of asbestos fibres. Another quite rare and uncommon mesothelioma which affect the pericardial cavity is called pericardium.
According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated two thousand to three thousand new cases of mesothelioma are reported every year in the USA and this number is rising every year. European researchers have also observed that deaths from mesothelioma will peak around the year 2020 and then drop off simply because asbestos use has been drastically reduced since the early 80s. The rise in the number of new cases will happen as a result of maturity of those who have been exposed to asbestos fibres in 1940s to the end of 1970s.
Due to its links to occupations, medical studies have shown that mesothelioma affects men 3 to 5 times more than women. More men are more likely to be affected by the disease than women. Men are more likely to work in asbestos filled workplaces such as mines, navy, shipyard and others, Furthermore, as a result of its long incubation period, mesothelioma is common among people that are 50 to 70years old. Racially, mesothelioma is also not common among African-American as its common among Caucasian Americans.
During diagnosis mesothelioma is usally mistaken for other diseases because of its symptoms which it shares with other lung and abdominal diseases which include shortness of breath, pain in the lower back or at the side of the chest, difficulty in swallowing, cough, fever, fatigue, abdominal pain, weight loss, nausea, vomiting and others. Whenever you notice some of this symptoms in your body and you have worked in asbestos related industry in the past, it is advisable to see a doctor who will recommend various test and medical diagnosis for you. These tests that are normally conducted will include x-ray of the chest and abdomen or imaging tests which is a combination of x-rays, computer tomography (CT scan) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MRI will allow the doctor to visualize the area where the mesothelioma tumor is located.
After diagnosis, treatment follows but there is no cure yet for mesothelioma and all the doctors do is to help sufferers manage pains and discomfort which the victims may be going through. To do this three treatment options that are available now namely: Surgery, Radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Cancer specialists called oncologists, normally conduct thorough medical tests to know which treatment plan will work better for a particular patient when treatment is about to be started. See detailed information on the three treatment options in other articles published on this site.
Most mesothelioma problem begins as a small or several nodules that progressively grow to become a solid coating of tumor surrounding the lung, abdominal organs and the heart. It starts with the inhaling or ingestion of asbestos fibres which travel their way through the lung and the body before they finally settled on the mesothelial linings. Mesothelioma is a disease of the chest cavity. Its commonly occurs in the chest cavity which up to 90% is normally associated with asbestos exposure. The asbestos fibres that are inhaled through the nostrils quickly walk their way through the lung tissue and into the pleural (chest) cavity. On the other hand asbestos fibres that are swallowed through the mouth have been proved to have penetrated the walls of the intestines and appear in the abdominal (peritoneal) cavity.
Mesothelioma risk increases with intensity and duration of exposure to asbestos fibres but typically does not occur for 20 to 50years after the exposure to asbestos dusts or fibres. Mesothelioma is presently difficult to treat in most cases and survival beyond two years is unusual and rare though there are many exceptions to this common phenomenon.
Studies on mesothelioma form of cancer started in South Africa when an epidemic of it began in 1950s and 1960s among the asbestos mine workers in that country. The high numbers of people showing the same set of symptoms led researchers to investigate the link between asbestos hails exposure and the possibility of contracting mesothelioma. Unfortunately, the delay between asbestos exposure and the first symptoms of mesothelioma and makes things difficult for researchers. The study of the relationship between mesothelioma and asbestos becomes more difficult and complicated by politics at the time of investigation.
The powerful persons behind asbestos mines in those days did not want established evidence that linked asbestos to mesothelioma lung cancer. But in 1962, the first scientific study result was published and presented, this study result showed that the inhalation of asbestos (hails or fibres) instigates the growth of malignant pleural mesothelioma and asbestosis.
After the establishment of the causative link between asbestos and mesothelioma susceptibility, little was done to stop asbestos exposure in and around mines. The risks of mesothelioma infection increases with some forms of asbestos, particularly crocidolite fibres and further studies have also shown that there are increasing evidence that mesothiloma can also be caused by elements such as radiation, viruses and man-made mineral fibres but mesothelioma cannot be contacted through smoking.
There are three primary types of malignant mesothelioma: Epitheloid, sarcomatiod and mixed/biphasic mesothelioma. Epitheloid mesothelioma has the best outlook for survival and approximately 50% to 70% of all mesothelioma cases are epitheloid. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma are said to be 7% to 20% cases of mesothelioma diagnosed while mixed/biphasic mesothelioma are 20% to 35% of all mesothelioma cases. Most mesothelioma, about ¾ of all mesothelioma cases begin in the chest cavity and are called pleural mesothelioma. Peritoneal mesothelioma which makes up around 10% to 20%of all cases usually occur in the abdomen through the swallowing of asbestos fibres. Another quite rare and uncommon mesothelioma which affect the pericardial cavity is called pericardium.
According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated two thousand to three thousand new cases of mesothelioma are reported every year in the USA and this number is rising every year. European researchers have also observed that deaths from mesothelioma will peak around the year 2020 and then drop off simply because asbestos use has been drastically reduced since the early 80s. The rise in the number of new cases will happen as a result of maturity of those who have been exposed to asbestos fibres in 1940s to the end of 1970s.
Due to its links to occupations, medical studies have shown that mesothelioma affects men 3 to 5 times more than women. More men are more likely to be affected by the disease than women. Men are more likely to work in asbestos filled workplaces such as mines, navy, shipyard and others, Furthermore, as a result of its long incubation period, mesothelioma is common among people that are 50 to 70years old. Racially, mesothelioma is also not common among African-American as its common among Caucasian Americans.
During diagnosis mesothelioma is usally mistaken for other diseases because of its symptoms which it shares with other lung and abdominal diseases which include shortness of breath, pain in the lower back or at the side of the chest, difficulty in swallowing, cough, fever, fatigue, abdominal pain, weight loss, nausea, vomiting and others. Whenever you notice some of this symptoms in your body and you have worked in asbestos related industry in the past, it is advisable to see a doctor who will recommend various test and medical diagnosis for you. These tests that are normally conducted will include x-ray of the chest and abdomen or imaging tests which is a combination of x-rays, computer tomography (CT scan) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MRI will allow the doctor to visualize the area where the mesothelioma tumor is located.
After diagnosis, treatment follows but there is no cure yet for mesothelioma and all the doctors do is to help sufferers manage pains and discomfort which the victims may be going through. To do this three treatment options that are available now namely: Surgery, Radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Cancer specialists called oncologists, normally conduct thorough medical tests to know which treatment plan will work better for a particular patient when treatment is about to be started. See detailed information on the three treatment options in other articles published on this site.
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