What is mesothelioma and why is it so serious

MESOTHELIOMA

A BRIEF DEFINITION

Mesothelioma is a very rare form of cancer with an incidence rate of 1 in a million according to the National Cancer Factsheet. It occurs when cells found in the mesothelium, a protective sac covering most of the body's internal organs become malignant (Cancerous) i.e. they divide without order or control. A vast majority of people who develop this rare form of cancer, have previously worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles.

According to Wikipedia Asbestos, "is the name of a group of minerals that occur naturally as masses of strong, flexible fibers that can be separated into thin threads and woven". Asbestos has been used extensively in industrial products like cement, insulation, flooring products and in the textiles industry. The purpose of the Mesothelium membrane is to provide a lubricating effect between the two layers of cells that compose it, allowing moving organs such as the lungs to move easily and without causing damage against adjacent structures.

Most Mesothelioma cases begin from the pleural cavity (a membrane that surrounds the lungs and lines the wall of the chest cavity). Although 70-80% of the cases are due to Asbestos exposure a small number of reported cases have been in individuals with no known exposure to Asbestos. The tiny Asbestos particles floating in the air during manufacturing processes, which when inhaled or swallowed are the main cause of Mesothelioma. The risk of contracting the disease, increase, with increased exposure to Asbestos over a corresponding increase in time.

Recent evidence has emerged pointing to the fact that family members who interact with Asbestos workers are at increased risk of contracting the disease too. This is usually due to exposure to asbestos duct from the clothing and hair of asbestos workers. For this reason Safety procedures have been put in place to ensure that these workers shower and change at the work place, to limit exposing their families to the risk of contracting Mesothelioma.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

The latency period (The period from exposure to actual illness) for Mesothelioma is usually from 20-50 years, it has a very poor prognosis (According to Wikipedia a term denoting the doctor's prediction of how a patient will progress, and whether there is a chance of recovery) of patient death within a year of diagnosis. Typically the symptoms include the following Shortness of breath, blood in the sputum, cough and chest pain due to fluid accumulation in the pleural space an indication of pleural Mesothelioma.

Symptoms of Peritoneal (Abdominal Cavity) Mesothelioma are weight loss, abdominal swelling, bowel obstruction, anemia and ascites, the buildup of fluid in the abdominal cavity. If the Mesothelioma metastasizes, spreads to other organs of the body, then the following symptoms can be seen. Pain, trouble swallowing, swelling of the face and neck or and a mass in the abdomen.

MESOTHELIOMA DIAGNOSIS.

This usually begins with a review of the Patients history, key to which is the determination of prior exposure to asbestos. This might follow with a complete physical examination, chest and abdominal x-rays and lung function tests. A Computed Axial Tomography Scan, CT scan, might then be necessary. These are a series of high definition images of the bodies internal organs that are computer generated and linked to an x-ray machine.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging ( MRI) a very powerful electromagnet linked to a computer , can also be used to provide detailed images of the bodies interior and the Physician can also acquire a printout of the images. The next stage involves a biopsy, a process whereby an oncologist (A doctor specializing in cancer) removes tissue for microscopic evaluation by a pathologist. If the cancer is in the chest a thorascopy is done, in this procedure a small cut is done on the chest and a small lighted tube, a thorascope,is inserted between two ribs. This allows the Doctor to have a look inside the chest and to collect tissue samples for further analysis.

If the tumor is in the abdomen a similar procedure to a thorascopy is done, only that in this procedure the probe is inserted in the abdomen and the procedure is referred to as a peritoneoscopy. When it has been confirmed that the disease is Mesothelioma, the Doctor might have to do additional tests to find out the extent of the Cancerous Spread. Localized, refers to the cancer found only within the membrane surface of origin. Whereas Advanced, is when it has spread to the surfaces of other parts of the body other than from the point of origin, including but not limited to the chest walls, lungs, lymph nodes and an assortment of abdominal organs.

TREATMENT.

The treatment of Mesothelioma is dependent on several critical factors such as the cancerous location, peritoneal or pleural and the stage of the disease. Additionally though the patients age and general state of health are other important factors. The standardized forms of treatment include Surgery, Chemotherapy, Radiation therapy or a combination of some or all of the above procedures. Surgery might involve the removal of the chest or abdominal lining or some tissues around them. Lung removal is referred to as a Pneumonectomy, in some cases a part of the Diaphragm, muscle below the lungs that aids in breathing, is also excised.

In Radiation therapy, radiotherapy high energy rays re used to kill cancerous cells and to shrink tumors, it affects the cancer cells only in the affected region. The source of radiation might be from an external source, like a machine or from an internal source most likely from putting radiating materials in the area where the cancerous cells are found. In the other procedure Chemotherapy involves the use of anticancer drugs to destroy cancer cells throughout the body. Most injections are administered intravenously, that is through the vein.

MESOTHELIOMA RESEARCH

For symptom and pain relief a thin tube is used to drain fluid that has built up in the chest or abdominal cavities. This procedure is referred to as thoracentesis, while fluid removal from the abdomen is referred to as Paracentesis. New forms are being explored with the National Cancer Institute being at the forefront of such research. This is done mainly by sponsoring clinical trials,(Research Studies Involving People),whose results are important in determining the safety and effectiveness of such treatments on people. It also serves as an important treatment option for patients suffering from the disease.

Due to the Occupational Hazardous nature of exposure to this disease it has been a subject of litigation worldwide more so in the U.S.A. With Specialist Asbestos Attorneys in Washington and Mesothelioma Attorneys in Utah and all over the States representing litigants, according to Wikipedia. "Asbestos litigation is the longest, most expensive mass tort in U.S. history, involving more than 6,000 defendants and 600,000 claimants". It is expected to reach $ 200 Billion in total in the United States of America alone.