What are the warning signs of mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose because the early signs and symptoms of the disease can be subtle at best. Symptoms are all too frequently ignored or dismissed by people who are inclined to attribute them to common every day ailments. Sometimes patients live with symptoms for up to 6 months before being diagnosed but usually the symptoms are present for two to three months prior to diagnosis.
About 60% of patients diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma experience lower back pain or side chest pain and there are frequent reports of shortness of breath. Lower numbers of people may experience difficulty swallowing, or have a persistent cough, fever, weight loss or fatigue. Symptoms to also consider are muscle weakness, loss of sensory capability, coughing up blood, facial and arm swelling and hoarseness.
Peritoneal mesothelioma originates in the abdomen and as a result, symptoms often include abdominal pain, weight loss, nausea, and vomiting. In the event that there is a hernia present, fluid build up may occur in the abdomen as well.
Anyone previously exposed to asbestos displaying any of these symptoms should seek medical attention right away.
Sunday, 29 November 2009
Sources
Dodson, R. and Hammar, S. Asbestos: Risk Assessment, Epidemiology, and Health Effects. (Boca Raton: Taylor & Francis, 2006).
Pass, I., Vogelzang, N., Carbone, M. Malignant Mesothelioma: Advances in Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Transitional Therapies. (New York: Springer, 2005)
Pass, I., Vogelzang, N., Carbone, M. Malignant Mesothelioma: Advances in Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Transitional Therapies. (New York: Springer, 2005)
Causes
What are the main causes of mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is most predominantly caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos fibers that are inhaled through the mouth and nose may eventually become embedded in the lining of the lungs, causing damage and resulting in lung cancer or asbestosis (scar tissue formation in the lungs). It has also been found that swallowing asbestos fibers could contribute to a form of mesothelioma originating in the abdomen called peritoneal mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma generally results from occupational exposure but there are instances of environmental exposure to asbestos that can cause the disease. Oftentimes second hand exposure of a family member to an asbestos workers dirty work clothes can result in that family member developing mesothelioma.
Asbestos insulation workers appear to have the highest death rate. One study reports that almost six percent of asbestos workers fall victim to mesothelioma and asbestos insulation workers are over 300 times more likely to die from mesothelioma than the general public.
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Mesothelioma is most predominantly caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos fibers that are inhaled through the mouth and nose may eventually become embedded in the lining of the lungs, causing damage and resulting in lung cancer or asbestosis (scar tissue formation in the lungs). It has also been found that swallowing asbestos fibers could contribute to a form of mesothelioma originating in the abdomen called peritoneal mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma generally results from occupational exposure but there are instances of environmental exposure to asbestos that can cause the disease. Oftentimes second hand exposure of a family member to an asbestos workers dirty work clothes can result in that family member developing mesothelioma.
Asbestos insulation workers appear to have the highest death rate. One study reports that almost six percent of asbestos workers fall victim to mesothelioma and asbestos insulation workers are over 300 times more likely to die from mesothelioma than the general public.
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Variants
Papillary mesothelioma is an example of epithelial mesothelioma; other variants include any of the following:
* Signet Ring
* Single File
* Adenoid Cystic
* Glandular
* Tubulopapillary
* Histiocytoid
* Microcystic
* Macrocystic
* Glomeruloid
* Diffuse - NOS
* Small Cell
* Deciduoid
* Pleomorphic
* In Situ
* Mucin Positive
* Well-Differentiated Papillary
* Gaucher Cell-Like
What differentiates these various types are the shape, size and formation of the cells. This can determine what course of treatment is appropriate for the patient's situations.
* Signet Ring
* Single File
* Adenoid Cystic
* Glandular
* Tubulopapillary
* Histiocytoid
* Microcystic
* Macrocystic
* Glomeruloid
* Diffuse - NOS
* Small Cell
* Deciduoid
* Pleomorphic
* In Situ
* Mucin Positive
* Well-Differentiated Papillary
* Gaucher Cell-Like
What differentiates these various types are the shape, size and formation of the cells. This can determine what course of treatment is appropriate for the patient's situations.
Epithelial Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Once asbestos fibers are inhaled, they become lodged in the lung tissue, where they remain indefinitely. Mesothelioma is associated with hard, crystalline amphibole asbestos, which consists of hard, needle-like fibers that literally bore through lung tissue over time, causing chronic inflammation that ultimately results in malignancy. The disease has a very long latency period, which can be anywhere from five to seventy-five years. The symptoms of the disease are also similar to other respiratory illnesses, which is why mesothelioma has historically been so difficult to diagnose.
Veteran Support
Although rare, mesothelioma affects veterans from all branches of service. Navy veterans who worked in navy shipyards and or served on our nation’s warships and submarine’s from WWII through the Vietnam War were exposed to high concentrations of deadly asbestos. Boiler rooms, engine rooms, sleeping quarters, and other areas of naval vessels were the most common areas where asbestos was present. As a result, Navy veterans are at a greater risk of developing mesothelioma. Veterans who were exposed should fill out the brief form on this page to receive a free mesothelioma and asbestos exposure information kit. Support systems are in place to make sure you receive the assistance you deserve.
Epithelial Mesothelioma
Epithelial mesothelioma cells have a definite structure with visible nuclei. This is the most common variant of this type of cancer, accounting for about 60 percent of all cases. This type of mesothelioma develops when malignant cells develop on any of the mesothelial linings. When examined under a microscope, these cells are of a uniform size and shape, and resemble normal, healthy epithelial cells.
Epithelial mesothelioma cells also bear a strong resemblance to adenocarcinoma cells, which are also associated with lung tissue. Patients who have been diagnosed with adenocarcinoma should also be examined for mesothelioma as well.
Epithelial mesothelioma cells also bear a strong resemblance to adenocarcinoma cells, which are also associated with lung tissue. Patients who have been diagnosed with adenocarcinoma should also be examined for mesothelioma as well.
Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos exposure is the single known cause of mesothelioma. Inhaled or ingested asbestos fibers may cause an inflammation of internal tissue and disrupt organ function which leads to the development of the disease. Asbestos products were used extensively throughout the 20th century in a wide variety of applications. Many of these products were responsible for asbestos exposure sustained by both the individuals who manufactured the products as well as those who used them at commercial and industrial jobsites including shipyards, refineries, power plants, steel plants and more. Several asbestos companies continued to produce these products even after they were known to be hazardous and harmful to workers and their families. Those who have become sick because of exposure to these products may now be eligible for financial compensation if they were wrongfully exposed.
Asbestos was also used at many New York jobsites including Ground Zero and the former World Trade Center site. Common asbestos exposure sites in New York include the Brooklyn Navy Yard, Todd Shipyard, and the Con Edison power plant in New York City.
Asbestos was also used at many New York jobsites including Ground Zero and the former World Trade Center site. Common asbestos exposure sites in New York include the Brooklyn Navy Yard, Todd Shipyard, and the Con Edison power plant in New York City.
Friday, 27 November 2009
Diagnosis and Treatment
All forms of mesothelioma can be difficult to diagnose, and the pericardial variety is certainly no exception. The first line of diagnosis is usually the traditional x-ray, which will give doctors a cursory glance at the heart. Because the diagnostic abilities of traditional x-rays are limited, doctors will usually order a more sophisticated test that gives them a better look at the internal organs, such as a CT scan or MRI.
The CT scans and MRIs can lead doctors to their next step in diagnosing the disease. If these tests seem to indicate the presence of mesothelioma, the doctor will most likely order a tissue biopsy. A biopsy is a medical procedure that uses a thin needle to remove tissue from the affected area. In this case, a biopsy of the pericardium - the lining around the heart - would be performed. While the test may sound frightening and can be uncomfortable, it takes just a few minutes and doctors will do everything possible to lessen any discomfort. Results of the biopsy - which can sometimes take more than a week - will confirm or deny the diagnosis of mesothelioma.
If tests are positive for mesothelioma, patients will probably be given a choice of just a few options. Because the disease is usually diagnosed in its late stages, due to the fact that it can lay dormant for up to 40 or 50 years, options are less than for cancers that can be diagnosed early.
Surgery is rarely recommended in the case of pericardial mesothelioma. If it is suggested, it may be used to remove a small piece of the affected pericardium or to remove the fluid around the heart.
Because there is no cure for this or any type of mesothelioma, oncologists will usually suggest mesothelioma treatment options that relieve symptoms, reduce pain, or improve the overall quality of life for the patient. These treatments include radiation, which is used to reduce the build up of fluid. Chemotherapy is also suggested for this type of cancer, but patients will want to consider this option carefully as it can greatly compromise one's quality of life while providing little or no chance for a cure.
The CT scans and MRIs can lead doctors to their next step in diagnosing the disease. If these tests seem to indicate the presence of mesothelioma, the doctor will most likely order a tissue biopsy. A biopsy is a medical procedure that uses a thin needle to remove tissue from the affected area. In this case, a biopsy of the pericardium - the lining around the heart - would be performed. While the test may sound frightening and can be uncomfortable, it takes just a few minutes and doctors will do everything possible to lessen any discomfort. Results of the biopsy - which can sometimes take more than a week - will confirm or deny the diagnosis of mesothelioma.
If tests are positive for mesothelioma, patients will probably be given a choice of just a few options. Because the disease is usually diagnosed in its late stages, due to the fact that it can lay dormant for up to 40 or 50 years, options are less than for cancers that can be diagnosed early.
Surgery is rarely recommended in the case of pericardial mesothelioma. If it is suggested, it may be used to remove a small piece of the affected pericardium or to remove the fluid around the heart.
Because there is no cure for this or any type of mesothelioma, oncologists will usually suggest mesothelioma treatment options that relieve symptoms, reduce pain, or improve the overall quality of life for the patient. These treatments include radiation, which is used to reduce the build up of fluid. Chemotherapy is also suggested for this type of cancer, but patients will want to consider this option carefully as it can greatly compromise one's quality of life while providing little or no chance for a cure.
Prognosis
Doctors and research scientists are still searching for a way to cure mesothelioma or at least extend the life of those suffering from all types of the disease. Because it is almost always diagnosed in its late stages, some patients die within weeks of learning they have the disease. Few last longer than a year.
Diagnostic aids that will result in earlier diagnosis of mesothelioma are currently being tested and other forms of treatment are being surveyed in clinical trials, all in hopes that the lives of mesothelioma patients can someday be prolonged.
Diagnostic aids that will result in earlier diagnosis of mesothelioma are currently being tested and other forms of treatment are being surveyed in clinical trials, all in hopes that the lives of mesothelioma patients can someday be prolonged.
What Causes Pericardial Mesothelioma?
Prolonged exposure to asbestos is - to this day - the only known cause of pericardial mesothelioma as well as the other types of the disease. With mesothelioma, loose asbestos particles are inhaled and gather in or near the internal organs, most often the pleural, which is the lining of the lungs.
There is no exact answer as to how an individual develops pericardial mesothelioma and how the dangerous asbestos fibers make their way into the pericardium. Researchers theorize that asbestos fibers, once they are broken up into smaller pieces in the lungs, are carried from the lungs into the blood stream. As the fibers are pumped through the heart, they may become lodged in the heart lining. Once lodged in the pericardium, the chronic inflammation process, which leads to the formation of cancerous growths or tumors, is similar to what occurs in the more common pleural mesothelioma.
There is no exact answer as to how an individual develops pericardial mesothelioma and how the dangerous asbestos fibers make their way into the pericardium. Researchers theorize that asbestos fibers, once they are broken up into smaller pieces in the lungs, are carried from the lungs into the blood stream. As the fibers are pumped through the heart, they may become lodged in the heart lining. Once lodged in the pericardium, the chronic inflammation process, which leads to the formation of cancerous growths or tumors, is similar to what occurs in the more common pleural mesothelioma.
Symptoms of Pericardial Mesothelioma
As with both the pleura and the peritoneum, the growth of tumors in the pericardial region causes the expansion of tissue and allows fluid to accumulate around the heart. The fluid can interfere with the functioning of the heart. It is this fluid that is responsible for most of the symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma. These symptoms include:
* Chest pain, ranging from uncomfortable to severe
* Shortness of breath
* Heart palpitations
* Persistent coughing
* Extreme fatigue after minimal activity or exertion
Pericardial mesothelioma resembles the other types of asbestos-caused mesothelioma in that the symptoms are often mistaken for something more common. In this case, heart attack or some other sort of heart disease is suspected, especially when the patient begins complaining of persistent chest pains.
Symptoms can vary with each patient and can be affected by a number of variables, including the location and size of the tumors and the overall health of the patient. The age of the patient may also factor into the equation.
A thorough patient history is the key to the proper diagnosis of the disease. Anyone who worked with asbestos or asbestos-containing products, particularly in shipyards or in the construction field, should always mention their exposure to their doctor. Because this is a rare disease, other diagnoses are usually considered before doctors investigate the possibilities of mesothelioma.
* Chest pain, ranging from uncomfortable to severe
* Shortness of breath
* Heart palpitations
* Persistent coughing
* Extreme fatigue after minimal activity or exertion
Pericardial mesothelioma resembles the other types of asbestos-caused mesothelioma in that the symptoms are often mistaken for something more common. In this case, heart attack or some other sort of heart disease is suspected, especially when the patient begins complaining of persistent chest pains.
Symptoms can vary with each patient and can be affected by a number of variables, including the location and size of the tumors and the overall health of the patient. The age of the patient may also factor into the equation.
A thorough patient history is the key to the proper diagnosis of the disease. Anyone who worked with asbestos or asbestos-containing products, particularly in shipyards or in the construction field, should always mention their exposure to their doctor. Because this is a rare disease, other diagnoses are usually considered before doctors investigate the possibilities of mesothelioma.
Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos exposure was common among industrial workers. Among the more common jobsites were those in the shipbuilding industry, such as the Todd Shipyards or Newport News Naval Shipyard. Other jobsites include power plants, chemical manufacturing, or the metal works industry. Those with asbestos history should notify their doctor and learn of possible warning signs of health complications caused by exposure. Those who have been made sick by asbestos exposure should fill out the form on this page to receive a free asbestos and mesothelioma information kit detailing top doctors, new treatments, and how to obtain financial compensation for asbestos disease.
Types of Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that originates in the mesothelium. The mesothelium is a thin layer of flat cells that protect the body's internal organs. Our body's internal organs often require the ability to move within the chest and abdominal cavity. These are normal bodily motions of expansion and contraction. For organs to move freely in the body they require the lubrication of the mesothelium. Not only does it spread easily to other parts of the body, mesothelioma initiates within these areas, causing a serious health consequence to the normal body functions.
Among types of mesothelioma, there are generally three recognized forms in which it can manifest. The first and most common is malignant pleural mesothelioma, which develops in the pleural lining of the lung. The second and less common variety is malignant peritoneal mesothelioma, a cancer of the abdominal lining. The rarest form of mesothelioma is malignant pericardial mesothelioma, a cancer of the pericardial lining of the heart.
The only known cause for each of these three forms is exposure to asbestos. While there have been instances in which a patient's history did not include, or did not directly include asbestos exposure, it is blamed in the vast majority of cases. There is no known cure for mesothelioma and prognoses are generally poor. Treatments are readily available in most cases, the most widely used being chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Surgery may be an option but by the time mesothelioma manifests itself in terms of symptoms, stage at diagnosis may have already ruled this mesothelioma treatment route out.
New treatments are being diligently pursued, including multi-faceted treatment programs incorporating two or more of the above treatment programs into a single patient's care. Through awareness of mesothelioma, asbestos, and the potential health consequences we can begin ridding ourselves of this unfortunate disease.
Among types of mesothelioma, there are generally three recognized forms in which it can manifest. The first and most common is malignant pleural mesothelioma, which develops in the pleural lining of the lung. The second and less common variety is malignant peritoneal mesothelioma, a cancer of the abdominal lining. The rarest form of mesothelioma is malignant pericardial mesothelioma, a cancer of the pericardial lining of the heart.
The only known cause for each of these three forms is exposure to asbestos. While there have been instances in which a patient's history did not include, or did not directly include asbestos exposure, it is blamed in the vast majority of cases. There is no known cure for mesothelioma and prognoses are generally poor. Treatments are readily available in most cases, the most widely used being chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Surgery may be an option but by the time mesothelioma manifests itself in terms of symptoms, stage at diagnosis may have already ruled this mesothelioma treatment route out.
New treatments are being diligently pursued, including multi-faceted treatment programs incorporating two or more of the above treatment programs into a single patient's care. Through awareness of mesothelioma, asbestos, and the potential health consequences we can begin ridding ourselves of this unfortunate disease.
Pericardial Mesothelioma
Pericardial mesothelioma is the rarest of the three forms of asbestos-caused cancer. Accounting for less than 10% of all mesothelioma cases worldwide, the pericardial form of the disease attacks the lining of the heart, known as the pericardium. Doctors view this form of mesothelioma as even more serious than the other forms, simply given the fact that the cancer lodges in the area around the heart.
How is Mesothelioma Treated?
Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer but can be managed with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery. Currently, there is no known cure for asbestos cancer but several mesothelioma treatment regimens have proven to be successful in helping the patient avoid pain and discomfort caused by the disease. Several therapies have emerged in recent years that have extended survival rates to levels previously thought to be impossible. Cancer centers have initiated hundreds of clinical trials in recent years to help mesothelioma patients find a therapy that works for them while still working towards a cure for future patients. Progressive therapies are now being developed through the International Mesothelioma Program under the direction of thoracic specialist Dr. David Sugarbaker.
How is Mesothelioma Diagnosed?
Malignant mesothelioma can be difficult to diagnose because symptoms of the disease often closely mimic those of less serious conditions. It will often require X-ray and other body scans (CT or MRI) in addition to a biopsy to conclusively diagnose mesothelioma. Nevertheless, those experiencing chronic cough, difficulty swallowing, chest pain, or breathing difficulties should alert their physician immediately. This is particularly true among those with a known asbestos-exposure history. Those with asbestos exposure history should communicate this to their physician even before symptoms appear so that they may be able to alert patients to warning signs of the disease. If detected early enough, patients may be eligible for aggressive treatment options, including surgical resection of the mesothelioma cancer and affected tissue. Oncologists and thoracic specialists will be able to assist the patient in determining the extent of the disease and the best treatment options for that particular patient.
Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that occurs in the lining of the body's internal organs, a thin layer of cells known as the mesothelium. While very thin, this layer of cells is vitally important to organ function and the health of the inner body structures. There are three recognized types of mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the pleural lining of the lungs and is the most common form of the disease. Peritoneal mesothelioma occurs within the peritoneum, which lines the abdominal cavity and is the second most common form of the disease. Pericardial mesothelioma is the rarest variety of the disease and occurs in the pericardial lining of the heart. The primary cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos, though other factors, such as smoking may increase the likeliness of the disease in certain individuals.
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