Mesothelioma - Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis

Mesothelioma has been of great concern now a days. Mesothelioma is a serious and a rare type of cancer, which is indeed a life threatening disease. So, we decided to give a brief knowledge about the Mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma: Definition

Mesothelioma, more commonly called malignant Mesothelioma, is a rare type of cancer, which arises from the protective layer covering the many internal organs of the body, the mesothelium. This disease is usually caused by exposure to asbestos. 

Mesothelioma: Affected Body Parts

Plura (the exterior of the inner part of the lungs and chest) is the most common place for this disease, but Mesothelioma can also occur in peritoneum (abdominal cover),  heart, pericardium or tunica vaginalis. So, the most affected parts are linings of the chest and lungs.

Mesothelioma: Vulnerable Peoples and Causes

Most of the people suffering from mesothelioma were either working in areas where asbestos and glass particles entered their body during respiration or they came in contact with asbestos particles and fibres in other ways. It has also been seen that the washing of clothes of a family member working with asbestos or glass may also cause the risk of developing mesothelioma in a person.  Unlike lung cancer, mesothelioma has no connection between smoking, but the risk of asbestos-induced other cancers is greatly increased due to smoking. Contact with asbestos, many people who have been affected by asbestos related diseases, including mesothelioma, have often been taking the help of lawyers to get compensation. The compensation received through asbestos funds or legal lawsuits is an important issue in mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma: Symptoms and Diagnosis

Symptoms of Mesothelioma include pleural leakage (fluid between the lungs and chest wall) or pain in the chest due to shortness of breath and general symptoms, such as weight loss. Its diagnosis can be estimated by chest x-ray and CT scan, and it can be confirmed by biopsy (samples of tissues) and microscopic test. Thoracoscopy (chemically inserting a tube on the chest) can be used to take a biopsy. It also allows the use of substances such as talc to wipe the pleural part (which is called plurodesis), to prevent further fluid accumulation and pressure on the lungs. Despite the treatment done by chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and sometimes surgery, diagnosis of this disease can be very rare. Research is ongoing for screening tests for early detection of Mesothelioma.