Malignant mesothelioma

Malignant mesothelioma is a deadly disease that primarily attacks the lining of the lungs or the stomach. There is no cure for malignant mesothelioma, and the prognosis for most people diagnosed with the disease is not good. Since no effective early detection screening or test exists and mesothelioma has no symptoms, most people are not diagnosed until they are in the late stages of the disease. On average, 2,500 new cases of malignant mesothelioma are diagnosed each year in the United States, with 43,000 cases diagnosed worldwide.


Cause of Malignant Mesothelioma


Malignant mesothelioma is caused almost exclusively by exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is the name for a group of minerals that occur naturally as tiny bundles of fibrous threads. Because asbestos is strong, lightweight, fireproof, resistant to chemicals, and non-conductive to heat or electricity, it became a very popular construction material beginning in the late 1800s. It was included in roofing materials, siding, flooring, insulation, automobile brakes, and many other common household products and materials. When asbestos fibers are inhaled, they stick to the lining of the lungs, the stomach, the heart, or the testicles and over a long period of time, cancerous tumors develop.


Who is at high Risk?


Most of the people who develop malignant mesothelioma have worked in an industry that depends heavily on the material without safety precautions. At-risk occupations include shipyard workers, automobile factory and repair workers, Navy personnel, construction workers, mine workers, heavy machine operators, and people who work with air conditioning and heating systems. Also at risk are people who live with workers in these occupations and people who live near mining operations in areas where asbestos is common. The former W.R. Grace vermiculite mine in Libby, Montana is one of the most contaminated sites in the country. Asbestos dust filled the air for decades during the mining process for vermiculite. People who lived in Manhattan during and after the 9/11 terrorist attacks may be at risk in the future. The attack threw tons of asbestos-laden dust into the air. Malignant mesothelioma can take 50 years to develop after exposure, so only time will tell how many people were affected.


Types of Malignant Mesothelioma:


There are four types of malignant mesothelioma.


Pleural mesothelioma is the most common type of malignant mesothelioma, comprising about 75% of cases. It develops in the pleura, or lining of the lungs.
Peritoneal mesothelioma accounts for approximately 20% of malignant mesothelioma cases. It develops in the peritoneal membrane, which is the lining of the abdominal cavity.
Pericardial mesothelioma develops in the pericardium or the lining of the heart and accounts for only about 5% of all mesothelioma cases.
Testicular mesothelioma affects the tunica vaginalis of the testicles and is the rarest form of malignant mesothelioma.
Malignant Mesothelioma Diagnosis


There are currently no reliable tools, scans, or tests for early detection of malignant mesothelioma. Before the disease reaches the late stages, it is virtually undetectable by any means. Current research is very encouraging, though. Within a few years, we may see a blood test on the market that can find substances in the blood common to patients diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma. These tests, currently being used to monitor changes in patients who have already been diagnosed, may hold the answer to early detection.


Malignant Mesothelioma Symptoms:


The symptoms of malignant mesothelioma only manifest after the tumors are developed enough to put pressure on other organs and cause swelling and fluid retention.


Pleural (lung) mesothelioma patients can expect shortness of breath, coughing, unexplained weight loss, trouble swallowing, hoarseness, muscle weakness, swelling of the arms and face, and pain in the lower back or side.
Peritoneal (abdomen) mesothelioma patients might experience stomach pain, a distended, tight abdomen, unexplained weight loss or nausea and vomiting.
Pericardial (heart) mesothelioma patients could have arrhythmia (irregular heartbeats), chest pains, persistent cough, difficulty breathing, fatigue, fever, or night sweats.
Testicular mesothelioma manifests as lumps on the testicles or swelling of the scrotum.
Most of the symptoms mentioned above may be indications of a number of other diseases or conditions. If you experience any of these symptoms, see a doctor. If you are aware of asbestos exposure, even from many decades in the past, let your doctor know.


Malignant Mesothelioma Treatment


There are many different treatments and kinds of therapy available today for malignant mesothelioma. The plan of action is decided by the doctor and the patient, and may include surgery, chemotherapy, drugs, radiation, or gene therapy. Factors that influence the course of treatment for malignant mesotheliomainclude the age and overall health of the patient.


Positive results from recent clinical studies involving immunotherapy and photodynamic therapy may prove beneficial for malignant mesothelioma treatments in the near future. Other clinical trials are exploring combinations of various chemotherapy drugs, medications, and dietary supplements