Mesothelioma shares many symptoms that other diseases may have so it can be impossible to determine if you have mesothelioma by the symptoms alone. You may not even have any symptoms at all for as long as 50 years after initial exposure to asbestos.
The early symptoms are non-specific so you might not get diagnosed correctly for years. The symptoms can be very similar to viral pneumonia if you have pleural mesothelioma and can include shortness of breath, chest pains and a cough that just doesn't seem to go away.
One of the more common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma is something called pleural effusion. This occurs when fluid builds up between the inner and outer linings of the lungs.
These linings always produce a little bit of fluid so your lungs slide along the inside of your chest smoothly but if too much fluid is being produced, complications can arise. When this is happening, you will have a dry cough, chest pains, and shortness of breath. An X-ray can be used to detect pleural effusion.
To determine if this is happening, you will have to have a biopsy after your initial scans. The biopsy
lets a pathologist get a good look at what cells are there and what they are doing.
After you are sure you have mesothelioma, your doctor can discuss the varied treatment options that are available and you can decide on the one that sounds the best for your situation. You may be entitled to damages if a company you worked for has been involved in a lawsuit relating to your situation.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma makes up over 60 percent of all mesothelioma cases worldwide. It is often talked about in the media and has garnered worldwide attention in the past few decades. This particular type affects the outer lining of the lungs and chest cavity which is known as the pleura.
The pleura is composed of two distinct parts which are the parietal and visceral pleura. The parietal pleura is the lining on the wall of the chest and the diaphragm and the visceral pleura is the inner lining
of the lungs themselves.
Asbestos is very fibrous and these tiny fibers can get into even the tiniest passages in the lungs. Once it's in there, it has a reaction with cell development that isn't quite understood but the cells begin to divide in an unusual manner.
This can lead to pleural thickening which greatly decreases the capacity of the lungs and can accumulate fluid as well. This can be seen in X-rays pretty easily. CT scans and MRIs also can detect any abnormalities in the lungs.
Smoking can cause long term symptoms similar to pleural mesothelioma so it can be difficult to diagnose. The best way is to tell your doctor if you have ever been around anyone who worked with asbestos or if a building you frequent has been shown to have a lot of asbestos in it. Many lawsuits are filed every year and you may even be entitled to free medical care or compensation if you meet certain requirements.
The pleura is composed of two distinct parts which are the parietal and visceral pleura. The parietal pleura is the lining on the wall of the chest and the diaphragm and the visceral pleura is the inner lining
of the lungs themselves.
Asbestos is very fibrous and these tiny fibers can get into even the tiniest passages in the lungs. Once it's in there, it has a reaction with cell development that isn't quite understood but the cells begin to divide in an unusual manner.
This can lead to pleural thickening which greatly decreases the capacity of the lungs and can accumulate fluid as well. This can be seen in X-rays pretty easily. CT scans and MRIs also can detect any abnormalities in the lungs.
Smoking can cause long term symptoms similar to pleural mesothelioma so it can be difficult to diagnose. The best way is to tell your doctor if you have ever been around anyone who worked with asbestos or if a building you frequent has been shown to have a lot of asbestos in it. Many lawsuits are filed every year and you may even be entitled to free medical care or compensation if you meet certain requirements.
Mesothelioma Surgery
If you are diagnosed with mesothelioma, you may be able to have one of many different types of surgery to help out in different ways.
There are various procedures that you may have to undergo and they can usually be classified in three
ways.
There are diagnostic procedures, palliative procedures, and curative procedures.
Diagnostic procedures are basically the step after you are suspected to have mesothelioma and you have fluid buildup or what could be a tumor growing in either the inner or outer lining of your lungs.
A common procedure is called a thoracoscopy. This procedure is used to get an absolute diagnosis and sometimes to check how large a tumor may be.
Video-assisted thoracic surgery is also an option while in the diagnostic stage. A small camera is
inserted into the chest so the pathologist can get a good look at what is going on and also get a sample of tissues.
Palliative surgery is intended to treat one or more symptoms of mesothelioma but doesn't actually stop the progression of the disease. A chest tube to drain excess fluid build-up is one of the first symptoms and can be persistent. Occasionally, a small catheter may be used for continuous drainage.
Curative procedures, though not 100% effective, seek to eliminate the entire tumor and hopefully cure the disease without using chemotherapy or radiation. If the tumor can't be removed, sometimes the entire lung may have to be excised. This is called pneumonectomy. This procedure is also used in peritoneal mesothelioma also.
There are various procedures that you may have to undergo and they can usually be classified in three
ways.
There are diagnostic procedures, palliative procedures, and curative procedures.
Diagnostic procedures are basically the step after you are suspected to have mesothelioma and you have fluid buildup or what could be a tumor growing in either the inner or outer lining of your lungs.
A common procedure is called a thoracoscopy. This procedure is used to get an absolute diagnosis and sometimes to check how large a tumor may be.
Video-assisted thoracic surgery is also an option while in the diagnostic stage. A small camera is
inserted into the chest so the pathologist can get a good look at what is going on and also get a sample of tissues.
Palliative surgery is intended to treat one or more symptoms of mesothelioma but doesn't actually stop the progression of the disease. A chest tube to drain excess fluid build-up is one of the first symptoms and can be persistent. Occasionally, a small catheter may be used for continuous drainage.
Curative procedures, though not 100% effective, seek to eliminate the entire tumor and hopefully cure the disease without using chemotherapy or radiation. If the tumor can't be removed, sometimes the entire lung may have to be excised. This is called pneumonectomy. This procedure is also used in peritoneal mesothelioma also.
Mesothelioma Support
Mesothelioma can be devastating news for a person even if they suspected it might develop sometime in their life. Maybe they worked at a diner that catered to asbestos miners, or maybe they were miners themselves.
Either way, they have been exposed and know the chances are high of getting this type of cancer. It is
not just hard on the person who has it but their entire network of family and friends. There are many
places to get support from others who have mesothelioma or have had experience with it.
Many towns have cancer support groups that meet on a weekly basis to share their experiences and offer hope to others. This is a great way to reach out and get the support you need from others in the same situation.
Family members are often encouraged to attend so they can express their feelings as well. Though often skipped, this is a very useful tool and the people who attend these meetings often know specialists in the field and can offer great advice.
Mesothelioma websites and message boards are also a great option. If you feel fatigued and don't want to leave the house, this the place to go. You can join forums, get information, and find out all the latest news you need to know on the Internet.
Smaller towns may not have an "in-person" option when it comes to support groups and the Internet is full of sites dedicated to just what you are looking for. You can also find a ton of information about lawyers if needed.
Either way, they have been exposed and know the chances are high of getting this type of cancer. It is
not just hard on the person who has it but their entire network of family and friends. There are many
places to get support from others who have mesothelioma or have had experience with it.
Many towns have cancer support groups that meet on a weekly basis to share their experiences and offer hope to others. This is a great way to reach out and get the support you need from others in the same situation.
Family members are often encouraged to attend so they can express their feelings as well. Though often skipped, this is a very useful tool and the people who attend these meetings often know specialists in the field and can offer great advice.
Mesothelioma websites and message boards are also a great option. If you feel fatigued and don't want to leave the house, this the place to go. You can join forums, get information, and find out all the latest news you need to know on the Internet.
Smaller towns may not have an "in-person" option when it comes to support groups and the Internet is full of sites dedicated to just what you are looking for. You can also find a ton of information about lawyers if needed.
Mesothelioma Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy can be useful in combating the spread of tumors and can also shrink them. Though it is not technically thought of as a curative procedure, chemotherapy when used in conjunction with other treatments can be very effective.
Many people mistake the term chemotherapy for radiation treatment but the two are not the same.
Chemotherapy relies on anticancer agents and drugs to stop cancerous growths like those caused by
mesothelioma.
There are many different reasons to use chemotherapy but they all depend on the end goal, stage of cancer, and how early it is detected. For mesothelioma patients, chemotherapy is often used in conjunction with surgeries or in place of them if the patient isn't fit for surgery.
Chemotherapy is administered through a vein and often the patient will get a catheter inserted into their arm. This is so they don't have to get repeated needle pokes which can be painful and uncomfortable.
Side effects of chemotherapy are fairly common and occur because the drugs may do damage to normal cells in addition to the cancerous ones. This can cause digestive problems, hair loss, and many other types of side effects that your doctor will advise you of.
Chemotherapy isn't right for every single patient. If you have caught the mesothelioma very early on, it could be simply removed by surgery.
Chemotherapy can also be pretty expensive but if the treatment is needed, you may be able to have some or all of the costs paid for by whoever exposed you. This could be a factory or mine and odds are they have paid out to many people already.
Many people mistake the term chemotherapy for radiation treatment but the two are not the same.
Chemotherapy relies on anticancer agents and drugs to stop cancerous growths like those caused by
mesothelioma.
There are many different reasons to use chemotherapy but they all depend on the end goal, stage of cancer, and how early it is detected. For mesothelioma patients, chemotherapy is often used in conjunction with surgeries or in place of them if the patient isn't fit for surgery.
Chemotherapy is administered through a vein and often the patient will get a catheter inserted into their arm. This is so they don't have to get repeated needle pokes which can be painful and uncomfortable.
Side effects of chemotherapy are fairly common and occur because the drugs may do damage to normal cells in addition to the cancerous ones. This can cause digestive problems, hair loss, and many other types of side effects that your doctor will advise you of.
Chemotherapy isn't right for every single patient. If you have caught the mesothelioma very early on, it could be simply removed by surgery.
Chemotherapy can also be pretty expensive but if the treatment is needed, you may be able to have some or all of the costs paid for by whoever exposed you. This could be a factory or mine and odds are they have paid out to many people already.
Mesothelioma- Are You At Risk?
Mesothelioma is a relatively rare type of cancer that occurs when cancerous cells grow in the mesothelium. The mesothelium is a protective lining that is on most of your internal organs. Typically, mesothelioma is attributed to asbestos exposure when someone inhales particles and they become lodged in the lungs.
To be in the "at risk" category, odds are you had to have come into contact with asbestos at one time or another. Asbestos is a mass of flexible fibrous material that is naturally found in the Earth.
For many years it was used in common goods such as shingles, brake pads, cement, flooring, and
insulation. The mining process as well as the plants that manufactured products containing asbestos are the top contributors to mesothelioma.
Unfortunately, many more people come into contact than just the laborers. Their families are at great risk because the particles come home on clothing and can get all over the place. Laundry is a big factor.
Anyone who has handled the clothing of the workers is at risk as well. This includes commercial laundry facilities as well as homes.
Asbestos was almost completely banned in 1989 but it has been in use since the late 1800s and peaked with World War II. Mesothelioma takes anywhere from 20 to 50 years to show up so many people today are feeling the effects of the 40s, 50s, and 60s. An X-ray, CT scan, or MRI can tell you if you have mesothelioma. If you have ever been around asbestos, it's a good idea to mention that to your physician.
To be in the "at risk" category, odds are you had to have come into contact with asbestos at one time or another. Asbestos is a mass of flexible fibrous material that is naturally found in the Earth.
For many years it was used in common goods such as shingles, brake pads, cement, flooring, and
insulation. The mining process as well as the plants that manufactured products containing asbestos are the top contributors to mesothelioma.
Unfortunately, many more people come into contact than just the laborers. Their families are at great risk because the particles come home on clothing and can get all over the place. Laundry is a big factor.
Anyone who has handled the clothing of the workers is at risk as well. This includes commercial laundry facilities as well as homes.
Asbestos was almost completely banned in 1989 but it has been in use since the late 1800s and peaked with World War II. Mesothelioma takes anywhere from 20 to 50 years to show up so many people today are feeling the effects of the 40s, 50s, and 60s. An X-ray, CT scan, or MRI can tell you if you have mesothelioma. If you have ever been around asbestos, it's a good idea to mention that to your physician.
Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a specific type of cancer that is directly related to asbestos. Mesothelioma develops in the mesothelium which is the lining that encapsules many of the body's organs but is the most common in the lungs and chest cavity.
Mesothelioma is hard to detect because you may not have symptoms for many decades after you are exposed to asbestos. Some of the common symptoms are shortness of breath, fluid surrounding the lungs, fatigue, and a harsh cough that may have blood in it.
Mesothelioma also has symptoms similar to a myriad of other conditions such as Tuberculosis and other types of lung cancer. The only way to be sure is to have X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs performed.
Luckily, the odds of developing mesothelioma now are pretty rare as measures are being taken by most federal and state programs that make sure asbestos isn't used in common building materials and older buildings are being thoroughly checked and rebuilt if necessary. Asbestos commonly was wrapped around water pipes in old buildings and used in ceilings.
Though it is naturally occurring, asbestos is relatively hard to just stumble upon. It was used in concrete, brake pads, and in many different fire-proof materials for a very long time.
Miners and their families developed mesothelioma by working in the mines, washing miner's clothing, and having a lot of it in their environment. In 1989, a full ban on asbestos was issued by the Environmental Protection Agency and work began to stop producing materials that used it.
Mesothelioma is hard to detect because you may not have symptoms for many decades after you are exposed to asbestos. Some of the common symptoms are shortness of breath, fluid surrounding the lungs, fatigue, and a harsh cough that may have blood in it.
Mesothelioma also has symptoms similar to a myriad of other conditions such as Tuberculosis and other types of lung cancer. The only way to be sure is to have X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs performed.
Luckily, the odds of developing mesothelioma now are pretty rare as measures are being taken by most federal and state programs that make sure asbestos isn't used in common building materials and older buildings are being thoroughly checked and rebuilt if necessary. Asbestos commonly was wrapped around water pipes in old buildings and used in ceilings.
Though it is naturally occurring, asbestos is relatively hard to just stumble upon. It was used in concrete, brake pads, and in many different fire-proof materials for a very long time.
Miners and their families developed mesothelioma by working in the mines, washing miner's clothing, and having a lot of it in their environment. In 1989, a full ban on asbestos was issued by the Environmental Protection Agency and work began to stop producing materials that used it.
Diagnosing Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a cancer that commonly appears in people who have been around asbestos at some time in their lives. The most common type is pleural mesothelioma which occurs in the pleura or outer
lining of the lungs. It can be difficult to diagnose mesothelioma because it shares the same symptoms as many other diseases.
The first step to diagnosing mesothelioma is with X-ray, CT scans, or MRIs. If something unusual is
detected, a biopsy will be needed. A biopsy is when a surgeon or medical oncologist retrieves a sample of tissue from the area that is believed to be cancerous.
This will usually be from an area of the lower lungs. It is thoroughly examined by microscope by a pathologist. This isn't as painful as it sounds as the area is numbed and a very small instrument takes the physical sample.
If it ends up being true mesothelioma, the doctor then needs to learn what stage it's in. This requires more scans and testing to see how large the cancerous growth is and helps determine the best route to take in regards to treatment.
Being diagnosed with mesothelioma is definitely a life changing event and counseling as well as support groups may be very beneficial. It is important to remember that any cancer has a good rate of success if caught early.
Treatment could be anything from a simple surgical procedure to a couple sessions with chemotherapy or radiation. Many lawsuits are in progress relating to asbestos exposure so if you meet some of their conditions, you may qualify for free or reduced medical care.
lining of the lungs. It can be difficult to diagnose mesothelioma because it shares the same symptoms as many other diseases.
The first step to diagnosing mesothelioma is with X-ray, CT scans, or MRIs. If something unusual is
detected, a biopsy will be needed. A biopsy is when a surgeon or medical oncologist retrieves a sample of tissue from the area that is believed to be cancerous.
This will usually be from an area of the lower lungs. It is thoroughly examined by microscope by a pathologist. This isn't as painful as it sounds as the area is numbed and a very small instrument takes the physical sample.
If it ends up being true mesothelioma, the doctor then needs to learn what stage it's in. This requires more scans and testing to see how large the cancerous growth is and helps determine the best route to take in regards to treatment.
Being diagnosed with mesothelioma is definitely a life changing event and counseling as well as support groups may be very beneficial. It is important to remember that any cancer has a good rate of success if caught early.
Treatment could be anything from a simple surgical procedure to a couple sessions with chemotherapy or radiation. Many lawsuits are in progress relating to asbestos exposure so if you meet some of their conditions, you may qualify for free or reduced medical care.
Developing Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a fairly rare cancer that can lead to a malignant tumor and is associated with prior exposure to asbestos. The exposure could have been 20 to even 50 years ago and only now will symptoms start to appear. Mesothelioma can develop in mesothelial cells in the pleura, pericardium, and peritoneum.
The pleura is the outer lining that surrounds your lungs. This lining lets your lungs have flexibility when you breathe in or out. After exposure to asbestos, a tumor may eventually develop in this area
creating what is known as pleural mesothelioma. This is common if asbestos material has been inhaled either by mining it or working in a factory that uses it in a product.
The pericardium contains all of the hearts blood vessels and arteries. This membrane separates the
heart from the rest of the chest cavity and ensures it has greater protection. Occasionally, asbestos can go from the lungs to the heart through the bloodstream and tumors can develop. This is a very dangerous place for a tumor to develop and is known as pericardial mesothelioma.
The peritoneum is the large outer lining that protects all of the organs in your abdominal cavity. This is the least likely place for a tumor to develop from asbestos but is very dangerous if it does occur. This is known as peritoneal mesothelioma.
If you or someone you know have ever been around anyone who worked with asbestos, it couldn't hurt to tell your doctor and have some tests run. Mesothelioma is treatable like most cancer and surgery and chemotherapy are just a couple of the available options.
The pleura is the outer lining that surrounds your lungs. This lining lets your lungs have flexibility when you breathe in or out. After exposure to asbestos, a tumor may eventually develop in this area
creating what is known as pleural mesothelioma. This is common if asbestos material has been inhaled either by mining it or working in a factory that uses it in a product.
The pericardium contains all of the hearts blood vessels and arteries. This membrane separates the
heart from the rest of the chest cavity and ensures it has greater protection. Occasionally, asbestos can go from the lungs to the heart through the bloodstream and tumors can develop. This is a very dangerous place for a tumor to develop and is known as pericardial mesothelioma.
The peritoneum is the large outer lining that protects all of the organs in your abdominal cavity. This is the least likely place for a tumor to develop from asbestos but is very dangerous if it does occur. This is known as peritoneal mesothelioma.
If you or someone you know have ever been around anyone who worked with asbestos, it couldn't hurt to tell your doctor and have some tests run. Mesothelioma is treatable like most cancer and surgery and chemotherapy are just a couple of the available options.
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