Mesothelioma - Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Types & Treatment

Mesothelioma is known that its cause returns to exposure of asbestos metal. While there are several types of mesothelioma, it is most commonly found in lining the lungs, chest, and abdomen. In most of the patients, mesothelioma was detected by only one way when it reaches to an advanced stage. Because the symptoms of serious mesothelioma can take up to 10-15 years to appear until this period; the patient does not have any symptoms associated with strange cancer.

Contents of this Article: What is Mesothelioma? How Many Types of Mesothelioma? 3 Types of Mesothelioma 4 Types of Mesothelioma What causes of mesothelioma? What are Symptoms of Mesothelioma Shortly? What are Symptoms of Mesothelioma in Details? Pleural Mesothelioma's Symptoms Peritoneal mesothelioma’s Symptoms Pericardial mesothelioma’s Symptoms How to Diagnose Mesothelioma at an Early Stage? What are Early Stage Symptoms of Mesothelioma? How is mesothelioma diagnosed? How is Mesothelioma Treated?

What is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer. It is almost always caused by exposure to asbestos. In this disease, the development of malignant cells in the mesothelioma and a protected lining covers most of the body’s internal organs. It is a form of cancer that affects the lining layer in many organs of the body such as the lungs, chest, and abdomen because of the most common location of mesothelioma is pleura (external lining of the lungs and inner chest wall). It may also occur in the peritoneal membrane (the lining of the ventral cavity), the heart, pericardium (the sac surrounding the heart) or the vaginal tunic.

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Types of mesothelioma

Before describing the symptoms of mesothelioma, it is important to know the types of mesothelioma, because some of the symptoms are specific to the type of cancer. Some of the specialists classified the mesothelioma under 3 types and some of them classified under 4 types of mesothelioma depending on affecting an area of mesothelioma. It is to be mentioned that, each type of mesothelioma has separated symptoms are mentioned in the bellow with the name of all types of mesothelioma.

3 types of mesothelioma:

1. Pleural mesothelioma: The pleural tumor grows in the membrane that covers the lungs called the pleura.
2. Peritoneal mesothelioma: A tumor grows in the membrane covering the abdominal area called peritoneum.
3. Pericardial Mesothelioma: A tumor grows in the membrane that covers the heart called pericardium.

4 Types of Mesothelioma:

1. Pleural mesothelioma: This type of mesothelioma develops in the lining of the lungs.
2. Peritoneal mesothelioma: This type develops in the lining of the abdominal cavity.
3. Pericardial mesothelioma: This type affects the testicle and the lining of the heart.
4. Revolutionary or Omental Mesothelioma: This type affects the abdomen.

Causes of mesothelioma?

The main risk of effecting mesothelioma is the prior exposure to asbestos, a small molecule that has been used for insulation and warming places. The use of this substance has become limited at present. There are strict safety guidelines in case of dealing with this substance or around it. However, the negative effects of asbestos were not known in the past decades when their use was more widespread. So the older people exposed to asbestos at a young age may have a greater chance of affecting the disease. Asbestos-related cancers may take decades to develop and appear. So, If you were exposed to asbestos more than 20 years ago, you may still be at risk of developing mesothelioma. Unlike lung cancer, the tobacco smoking does not cause mesothelioma, but studies have shown that smoking may increase the chance of cancers associated with asbestos.
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Symptoms of mesothelioma Shortly

Shortly I write down here some of the main symptoms of mesothelioma although there are all mesothelioma symptoms are shown in the types of mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma - One Kind of Cancer

1. The fluid gathers in the lungs or abdomen
2. Breathing difficulty
3. Pain in the chest area
4. Pain or swelling of the abdomen
5. The presence of a mass in the abdomen

Symptoms of Mesothelioma in Details

Mesothelioma Symptoms are not easy to identify and can be misleading because they often resemble the symptoms of respiratory, cardiovascular, or gastrointestinal disorders, depending on where the cancer cells are located in the body. Unlike another type of cancers, it is very difficult to detect this deadly cancer in its initial stages because it usually takes several decades to develop cancerous cells after exposure to carcinogens.

Mesothelioma has several and separated symptoms as per several types of mesothelioma are bellow in gradually.

1. Pleural mesothelioma’s Symptoms

Mesothelioma pleurisy, cancer in the lining of the lungs is the most common type of mesothelioma. The following symptoms are including with this type of mesothelioma:

1. Pleural effusion: It is one of the most important symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. The pleural effusion is the accumulation of fluid between the pleura wall and the visceral pleura, as research indicates that nearly 90% of pleural mesothelioma patients had pleural effusions.
2. Shortness of breath: Short breath is the second most common symptom related to pleural mesothelioma.
3. Pain in chest or ribs during breathing.
4. Fatigue.
5. Fixed dry and harsh cough.
6. Sometimes Blood Cough.
7. Sweating especially at night.
8. Weight loss without obvious cause.
9. Chest Pain.
10. Dysphasia (difficulty swallowing).
11. Fever.
12. Subcutaneous lumps in the chest.

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2. Peritoneal mesothelioma’s Symptoms

Peritoneal mesothelioma is the second most common type of mesothelioma occurs in the lining of the abdominal cavity known as the peritoneum. As like as pleural mesothelioma, where the most common and the final symptom appears to be pleural effusion, in the peritoneal mesothelioma is the accumulation of fluid between the peritoneal membrane and abdominal organs called ascites. The following symptoms may also includeed:

1. Abdominal Painful or swelling.
2. Weight loss without any reason.
3. Changing habits of bowel.
4. Vomiting
5. Nausea.
6. Anemia.
7. Sweats especially at night.
8. Fatigue.
9. Fever.
10. Constipation.
11. Subcutaneous abdominal masses due to clogged intestine.

3. Pericardial mesothelioma’s Symptoms

The pericardial tumor grows in the membrane that occurs in the lining of the heart and covers the heart is called pericardium. This type of cancer is relatively rare compared to the above two types of mesothelioma. The most common symptoms of this type of mesothelioma are in the below:

1. Short breath: Breathing problem is one of the most common symptoms of pericardium. The patient suffers from shortness of breath during this type of mesothelioma.
2. Chest Pain: Patients also feels pain in his chest.
3. Arrhythmia.
4. Heart Palpitations.
5. Night sweats.
6. Fever.
7. Fatigue.
8. Sudden weight loss.

Diagnoses of Mesothelioma at an Early Stage

Early diagnosis of mesothelioma can help in effective treatment and extend the patient's life but as discussed, it is not easy to do so. Here are some simple tips that can really help in early diagnosis. I know the history of your engagement with Asbestos If you are in the current or past work involved in dealing with asbestos or its products you face a higher risk of exposure to asbestos and mesothelioma. If this is true, you should take caution from sudden weight loss, chest pain, and be coughing (which last for a long time) seriously. As you can see, all of them are common symptoms of mesothelioma. If your home is near the asbestos mines If your home is located near a mine or asbestos factory, you need to be more careful and take the above symptoms seriously. Back to Top

Early Stage Symptoms of Mesothelioma

Symptoms of Mesothelioma at an early stage are Cold, cough, fatigue and body disorders. Discuss candidly with your doctor The key point here is even more cautious for common symptoms if you feel you have been exposed to asbestos. Remember, you need to consider the past 10-20 years of history here as mesothelioma takes a lot of time to develop. Thus in case of such symptoms visit your doctor, mention your past history with asbestos and insist on examination details. Studies and research British research has shown that mesothelioma has many types of pleural mesothelioma which develops in the lining of the lungs, peritoneal mesothelioma which develops in the lining of the abdominal cavity, pericardial mesothelioma which affects the lining of the heart, Pancreatic mesothelioma which affects the testicle, mesothelioma which affects the abdomen They acknowledged that early diagnosis of mesothelioma can help in effective treatment and extend the patient's life by consulting the doctor immediately.

Mesothelioma Diagnoses

The Cancer Specialists use a range of diagnostic techniques to obtain an accurate diagnosis of mesothelioma and its stage are in the below:

1. CT / Positron Emission tomography (CT) to identify any organ or tissue dysfunction.
2. Ultrasound Endoscopy (Endobronchial ultrasound -EBUS) to get images of the lungs and surrounding areas to detect the presence of any tumors, this technique can also be used to obtain a biopsy of the lung tissue.
3. Pulmonary function tests (PFT) to monitor respiration and evaluate the functioning of the lungs.
4. Cellular cytology, a microscopic examination of mucosal cells of the lung.
5. Bronchoscopy to check the pneumonia of the lungs.
6. Suction needle across the chest to obtain a sample of lung tissue for checking under the microscope.
7. Blood tests including complete blood count (CBC).

Mesothelioma Treatment

The appropriate treatment plan is based on the size of the tumor and the stage of the disease. The treatment plan may include surgical options, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.

Remember that, A highly specialized team of oncologists, surgeons and lung specialists at the King Hussein Cancer Center sponsors mesothelioma patients. The doctors of mesothelioma patients at the King Hussein Cancer Center receive the best quality medical care through a multidisciplinary team of lung cancer specialists dedicated entirely to the diagnosis of mesothelioma and other cancers affecting the lungs and chest.
Supporting care The multidisciplinary lung cancer clinic works closely with other sections of the King Hussein Cancer Center so that patients with mesothelioma have the best overall care possible. So I suggest you, it is better for you to take the best treatment from this hospital.
Supporting care services at the King Hussein Cancer Center include:

1. Quit Smoking
2. Psycho-social support
3. Spiritual care
4. Natural therapy
5. Nutrition
6. Respiratory care
7. Cancer Support Groups

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