Mesothelioma  - Asbestos Cancer

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What is Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a serious and rare form of lung cancer.  It is most frequently seen in men between the ages of 50 to 70. Women are affected far less frequently. In the US, between 2000 and 3000 cases are diagnosed each year.  Estimates suggest that the incidence of mesothelioma for every 100,000 in the US is about 1.8 and 0.9 internationally.  This form of cancer affects people of every race equally. The number of people who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma has increased significantly in the past 30 years.  Although many advances in treatment have been made, there is no cure for this type of cancer. 

In mesothelioma, the cells of the mesothelium become cancerous and grow out of control. The mesothelium is a protective, two-layered membrane that covers the internal organs of the body including the lungs, heart and abdominal organs. Between these layers, the cells produce fluid, which allows easy movement of the heart and lungs within the chest cavity.  The layer that covers the lungs is called the pleura, and the layer that covers the heart is called the pericardium. The peritoneum lines the abdominal cavity.  Mesothelium also lines the male and female reproductive organs.   Mesothelioma can affect any of these cells, but is usually seen in the pleural or peritoneal mesothelium. The most common form of mesothelioma is pleural.

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Mesothelioma Symptoms

Mesothelioma develops many years after exposure to asbestos. Sometimes, it may be 30 to 40 years before symptoms occur. Unfortunately, in the early stages of the disease, symptoms may be vague or not noticeable. Thus, if you have been exposed to asbestos in the past, even for a very brief time, it’s important to have regular check-ups to detect any lung abnormalities, even if you don’t have symptoms. Early detection of mesothelioma allows doctor to use more effective and more powerful treatments. For this reason, you should watch carefully for any of the symptoms of mesothelioma.

The spread of cancerous cells takes a toll on your body, causing weakness, extreme fatigue. Changes in your body’s ability to absorb nutrients as a result of invasion into the abdomen can cause weight loss. If the cancer has spread beyond the mesothelium to other parts of the body, symptoms may include pain, trouble swallowing, or swelling of the neck or face.

Depending on the type of mesothelioma, slightly different symptoms can occur. Peritoneal disease has an effect on the intestines, liver and other structures in the abdominal cavity. As fluid builds up, the abdomen can become very expanded. Because the liver plays a big part in manufacturing the substances needed to control bleeding, there is often a change in your ability to make blood clots. Weight loss occurs for several reasons, and is more dramatic in this form of the disease.
The pleural form of mesothelioma can also cause damage to the upper airway. Swallowing can become difficult, and voice changes can occur if the larynx is affected.

Specific symptoms of Peritoneal Mesothelioma:

Weight loss
Abdominal pain
Buildup of fluid in the abdomen
Bowel obstruction
Abnormal blood clotting
Abdominal mass
Fever

Specific symptoms of Pleural Mesothelioma:

Pain in the lower back
Pain in the side of chest
A persistent cough
Shortness of breath
Husky voice
Difficulty swallowing
Fever

Pericardial Mesothelioma Symptoms:

Pericardial Mesothelioma can be one of the most painful forms of the disease. Symptoms most often include:

Chest pain
Heart palpitations
Shortness of breath
Persistent coughing

As with other forms of the disease, the symptoms of pericardial Mesothelioma can be mistaken for other illnesses or disorders. Patients who know or suspect they’ve been exposed to asbestos and are experiencing such symptoms should be sure to inform their doctor as to their prolonged exposure.

The primary risk factor for developing mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. Between 70-80% of people diagnosed with mesothelioma have been exposed to asbestos, usually in the workplace.  Although it is possible to develop mesothelioma without any exposure to asbestos, it is very rare. While one person for every million people in the US will be diagnosed with mesothelioma, about 7-13 men who have been exposed to asbestos will be diagnosed with the disease. Symptoms frequently take 20 years to develop, but can take as long as 50 years to occur. 

Asbestosis

Simply put, asbestosis is a breathing disorder caused by inhaling high levels of asbestos. The accumulation of these fibers in the lungs causes scarring of lung tissue and makes it difficult to breathe.

It often takes years of exposure for asbestosis to surface but it can quickly worsen, especially if exposure continues.

Who Gets Asbestosis?

Asbestosis is almost always job-related and many of the victims are older individuals who were exposed to asbestos at work before the United States began to regulate its use in the mid-1970s. This naturally-mined material was used extensively in the construction and manufacturing businesses, especially as pipe insulation, in fire-retardant materials, as floor and ceiling tiles, and in brake and clutch linings.

Those at the highest risk for developing the disorder probably worked with asbestos or asbestos-containing products on a daily basis for at least 8 to 10 years. Miners may develop the disorder in less time.

Symptoms

When damage and scarring caused by inhaled asbestos fibers lead to stiffness in your lung tissue so that your lungs can't contract and expand normally, you will start experience symptoms of the disorder, which may include:

Shortness of breath
Decreased tolerance for physical activity
Coughing
Chest pain
Finger clubbing, in some cases
Diagnosis
When considering a diagnosis of asbestosis, your doctor will probably inquire as to your exposure to asbestos. He/she may also ask whether any fellow employees have been affected by the disease. Your doctor may then order tests to confirm the diagnosis, including pulmonary function tests, CT scans, and chest x-rays.

Treatment

The affects of asbestosis cannot be reversed but progression can be halted and symptoms treated. Above all us, further exposure to the toxic material should be eliminated. If you smoke, it’s necessary to stop immediately. Doctors may also treat you with medications that expand or relax blood vessels, and/or blood-thinners that prevent blood clots from forming and obstructing narrowed vessels
 

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