Malignant Mesothelioma is a very rare form of cancer that affects the protective layer around various internal body organs. This layer, known generally as the mesothelium, is also called the pericardium around the heart, the pleura around the lungs and the peritoneum around the organs in the abdomen. The more common sites are the pleura (pleural mesothelioma) and the peritoneum (peritoneal mesothelioma). Most often this cancer is found in people who have been exposed to, and inhaled, asbestos. Symptoms may not show until several decades after exposure.
Symptoms of the illness may not be clear cut at first, making it difficult to diagnose. Pleural Mesothelioma can present with chest pain and shortness of breath. Unfortunately these symptoms are also indicative of several other diseases, meaning diagnosis is a process of elimination. This can take some time, during which the cancer is growing.
With peritoneal mesothelioma there may be abdominal pain and unexplained weight loss. These also are early symptoms in other diseases, meaning diagnosis can again be slow. There may be other symptoms, such as bowel problems, blood clotting problems and anemia
Diagnosis begins with a review of the medical history of the patient. A full physical examination may be made, along with blood tests, chest or abdominal X-rays, lung function tests and possibly a CAT scan or an MRI scan. Malignant Mesothelioma (all types) is normally confirmed by biopsy, after any other causes for the symptoms have been ruled out.
Once a diagnosis is made, the physician will want to know what stage the cancer is at. The amount of spread of the cancer will affect the mesothelioma survival rate. Normally, the earlier the cancer is diagnosed the better the persons' chances. If the cancer is contained within the original site is it referred to as localized. If it has spread it is classified as advanced.
Various treatments may be tried, including surgery, particularly if the cancer is localized, radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy. If fluid has collected in the lungs or abdomen the physician may often drain this off, to ease the pain and aid breathing.
Because the diagnosis is often not made until the disease is advanced the mesothelioma survival rate is hard to define. Currently the American Cancer Society estimates a survival time of four to eighteen months after diagnosis.
Symptoms of the illness may not be clear cut at first, making it difficult to diagnose. Pleural Mesothelioma can present with chest pain and shortness of breath. Unfortunately these symptoms are also indicative of several other diseases, meaning diagnosis is a process of elimination. This can take some time, during which the cancer is growing.
With peritoneal mesothelioma there may be abdominal pain and unexplained weight loss. These also are early symptoms in other diseases, meaning diagnosis can again be slow. There may be other symptoms, such as bowel problems, blood clotting problems and anemia
Diagnosis begins with a review of the medical history of the patient. A full physical examination may be made, along with blood tests, chest or abdominal X-rays, lung function tests and possibly a CAT scan or an MRI scan. Malignant Mesothelioma (all types) is normally confirmed by biopsy, after any other causes for the symptoms have been ruled out.
Once a diagnosis is made, the physician will want to know what stage the cancer is at. The amount of spread of the cancer will affect the mesothelioma survival rate. Normally, the earlier the cancer is diagnosed the better the persons' chances. If the cancer is contained within the original site is it referred to as localized. If it has spread it is classified as advanced.
Various treatments may be tried, including surgery, particularly if the cancer is localized, radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy. If fluid has collected in the lungs or abdomen the physician may often drain this off, to ease the pain and aid breathing.
Because the diagnosis is often not made until the disease is advanced the mesothelioma survival rate is hard to define. Currently the American Cancer Society estimates a survival time of four to eighteen months after diagnosis.
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