Mesothelioma Cancer Network is a form of severe cancer that is caused by exposure to Asbestos. It has claimed hundreds of lives in the past three decades. When the delicate fibers of Asbestos are inhaled, they are deposited in the mesothelial lining of internal organs, causing the cell to become malignant and develop into a tumor. The fibers alter the normal function of the DNA, causing the cells to grow uncontrollably and affecting the normal cells’ function.
Causes
The leading cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos
Exposure occurs in several ways, including;
- On-the-job asbestos exposure: Most mesothelioma victims had been exposed while at work in a company that manufactures Asbestos.
- Passive exposure: The people who work at the asbestos plant may expose their loved ones as the asbestos fibers sometimes get stuck on clothes and surfaces.
- Natural exposure: Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral. You can find it there in some parts of the world. People living near them risk breathing their fires which may eventually lead to tumorigenesis.
There are various types of mesothelioma and are named according to the organ they affect. These include:
Pleural mesothelioma: It starts to develop when the inhaled asbestos fibers are deposited in the lungs. This is the most common type of mesothelioma.
Symptoms
- Chest pain and cough
- Shortness of breath
- Weight loss
- Formation of a lump under the chest skin.
Pericardial Mesothelioma: It occurs in the heart. The asbestos fibers find their way into the tissues around the heart.
Symptoms
- Chest pains
- Persistent cough
- Shortness of breath
- Heart palpitations
- Fluid build-up in the pericardium
Peritoneal Mesothelioma: The target organ is the abdomen. The asbestos fibers settle on the mesothelial wall of significant organs in the abdomen and the abdominal cavity. Swallowing of the fibers is the primary cause of this type of tumor in the abdomen. Your genes are also crucial in the development of peritoneal mesothelioma.
Symptoms
- Pain in the abdomen
- Lumps in the mesothelial lining of the abdomen
- Weight loss
Testicular mesothelioma: This is a rare condition and has only been a few hundred cases. The fibers are embedded in the mesothelial tissue of the testicles. Many cases have been reported by people of fifty to seventy years of age.
Symptoms
There are no know symptoms other than a painless mass of tissue on the scrotum.
Diagnosis
After evaluation of the symptoms, the next step is the testing. Standard tests such as the CT-scan, X-ray, and radiology exams are conducted. When the test results show anything abnormal, the oncologist will conduct confirmatory tests such as Mesothelioma blood tests, immunohistochemical markers, and imaging scans.
He may also conduct one of the most accurate techniques, known Fine-Needle aspiration and thoracoscopy. The doctor inserts a tiny camera between the ribs to examine and take biopsies.
It is vital to seek medical attention and be diagnosed early enough. Early diagnosis gives the doctors more time to examine and remove the tumor before it gets worse.