Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is
almost always
caused by previous exposure to asbestos. In this mesothelioma disease,
malignant cells develop in the mesothelium, a protective lining that
covers
most of the body's internal organs. Its most common site is the pleura
(outer
lining of the lungs and chest cavity), but it may also occur in the
peritoneum
(the lining of the abdominal cavity) or the pericardium (a sac that
surrounds
the heart).
In other
definition, Mesothelioma, or the cancer of mesothelium,
is a fatal tumor
that affects pleura, peritoneum, and pericardium – linings
around lungs,
abdomen, and heart respectively. It is a fatal disease caused by
exposure to
asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral.
Most
people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled
asbestos
particles, or have been exposed to asbestos dust and fibre in other
ways, such
as by washing the clothes of a family member who worked with asbestos,
or by
home renovation using asbestos cement products. Unlike lung cancer,
there is no
association between mesothelioma and smoking.
Types
of Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma
can be classified into three types depending on
the area of body affected by it. There are 3 common types of
mesothelioma:
1.
Pleural Mesothelioma
2.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
3.
Pericardial Mesothelioma
Pleural
Mesothelioma
The
most common form of mesothelioma, Pleural Mesothelioma
(cancer of pleura) is a tumor of the protective lining around the
lungs. It can
be either benign or malignant.
The
pleura is a sac-like membrane made of two layers between
which the pleural fluid is released. This fluid in turn acts like a
lubricating
agent and helps the lungs to function smoothly during breathing.
Symptoms
Common
symptoms of Pleural Mesothelioma are:
•
Shortness of breath • Chest pain • Back pain
• Pain in the
rib cage
Other
symptoms of Pleural Mesothelioma, for both benign and
cancerous forms, include:
• Fluid build-up in the lung lining • Hoarseness
• Coughing
up blood • Swelling of the face and arms • Muscle
weakness • Paralysis •
Sensory loss
Peritoneal
Mesothelioma
Another
common
form of mesothelioma is peritoneal
mesothelioma or cancer of the peritoneum that causes tumor in the
abdominal
lining. Like pleural it can be benign or malignant.
The
peritoneum is the membrane that covers most of the
organs in the abdominal cavity and also includes:
•
Tunica Vaginalis Testis (mesothelial tissue lining the
male internal reproductive organs)
•
Tunica Serosa Uteri (mesothelial tissue lining the female
reproductive organs).
Symptoms
The
fluid released
in the peritoneum helps in the smooth
functioning of these organs. When the peritoneum is affected, some
common
symptoms experienced are:
•
Stomach pain • Weight loss • Nausea •
Vomiting • Hernia •
Bowel obstruction • Fluid in the abdominal cavity.
If
the cancer spreads beyond the abdominal cavity,
additional symptoms can be found, such as:
•
Anemia • Blood clotting abnormalities • Trouble
swallowing
• Swelling of neck, face or arms.
Pericardial
Mesothelioma
Pericardial
Mesothelioma or the cancer of pericardium is a
tumor of the protective sac-like lining around the heart. Pericardium
protects
the heart by:
•
Smoothening its motion against surrounding organs
•
Limiting its motion so that it stays in the chest cavity
•
Preventing it from over-expansion during excess influx of
blood
Symptoms
When
pericardium’s function is affected by mesothelioma, the
following symptoms may occur:
•
Chest pain
•
Shortness of breath
•
Fluid accumulation in the lining
If the mesothelioma cancer spreads to other organs of the
body, it can affect their normal functioning and cause painful
symptoms. Thus,
it is important that mesothelioma cancer is diagnosed on time and
proper
treatment is given
to save the patient’s life.
Mesothelioma Symptom
(Summary)
Symptoms
of mesothelioma may not appear until 20 to 50 years
after exposure to asbestos. Shortness of breath, cough, and pain in the
chest
due to an accumulation of fluid in the pleural space are often symptoms
of
pleural mesothelioma.
Symptoms
of peritoneal mesothelioma include weight loss and
cachexia, abdominal swelling and pain due to ascites (a buildup of
fluid in the
abdominal cavity). Other symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma may
include bowel
obstruction, blood clotting abnormalities, anemia, and fever. If the
cancer has
spread beyond the mesothelium to other parts of the body, symptoms may
include
pain, trouble swallowing, or swelling of the neck or face.
Laura Russell is a
professional Health Writer
having expertise in the filed of Mesothelioma Cancer.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Laura_Russell
Wikipedia; en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesothelioma
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