Mesothelioma is a deadly, “sneaky” cancer that doesn’t generally show its symptoms for many years after it begins. For some people, the diagnosis of mesothelioma is a shock that prompts a search through their past, going back decades to determine the source of the asbestos that initiated the mesothelioma process.
Mesothelioma Asbestos Exposure
For other individuals, their history of asbestos work is easily identified as the culprit underlying this disease, the onset of which can take up to 50 years after the causative asbestos exposure. Many people who worked in asbestos mines or processing plants or with asbestos-containing products are by now aware of the high rate of mesothelioma in their professions, often having heard about former co-workers diagnosed with this cancer.
Diagnosis Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is not easily diagnosed and confirmed, however. Oftentimes an individual is mistakenly diagnosed with another type of cancer or respiratory disease or other malady before the mesothelioma is identified. In addition, primary care physicians and other healthcare professionals are not familiar with mesothelioma and thus miss or misinterpret the signs and symptoms, which may include (dependent on the location of the cancer):
Symptoms of Mesothelioma
A mass in the abdomen
Abdominal pain and/or swelling
Ascites, or an abnormal buildup of fluid in the abdomen
Bowel problems
Chest wall pain or pain under the rib cage
Coughing up bloody sputum
Fatigue, anemia
Hoarseness, wheezing, or cough
Pleural effusion (fluid surrounding the lung)
Shortness of breath
Weight loss
The mesothelioma may attack the pleura (the outer lining of the lungs and chest cavity), the peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity), or the pericardium (a tissue sac surrounding the heart).
The Prognosis for Mesothelioma Patients
In nearly every case, mesothelioma is malignant (active, growing), not benign. The prognosis for a given mesothelioma patient depends on several factors in his or her unique circumstances:
the patient's age
his or her health, especially lung and heart health
the size of the mesothelioma tumor
its stage
the type of mesothelioma cells
whether the cancer is new or a recurrence
the presence and amount of fluid in the chest and/or abdomen
Mesothelioma Treatment Options
There are three main categories of treatment for mesothelioma: surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Combinations of two or more of these are also frequently used. For example, surgery may be performed to excise all possible malignant tissue, then chemotherapy or radiation is used to kill off any cancer cells that remain. Such treatment after surgery is commonly referred to as adjuvant therapy.
New Mesothelioma Treatment are under investigation, including photodynamic therapy and biologic therapy.
More Information about Mesothelioma
There is much more to learn about mesothelioma, including the legal rights of individuals and families impacted by this disease. Contact a mesothelioma lawyer in your vicinity today to get the information you need.
Mesothelioma Asbestos Exposure
For other individuals, their history of asbestos work is easily identified as the culprit underlying this disease, the onset of which can take up to 50 years after the causative asbestos exposure. Many people who worked in asbestos mines or processing plants or with asbestos-containing products are by now aware of the high rate of mesothelioma in their professions, often having heard about former co-workers diagnosed with this cancer.
Diagnosis Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is not easily diagnosed and confirmed, however. Oftentimes an individual is mistakenly diagnosed with another type of cancer or respiratory disease or other malady before the mesothelioma is identified. In addition, primary care physicians and other healthcare professionals are not familiar with mesothelioma and thus miss or misinterpret the signs and symptoms, which may include (dependent on the location of the cancer):
Symptoms of Mesothelioma
A mass in the abdomen
Abdominal pain and/or swelling
Ascites, or an abnormal buildup of fluid in the abdomen
Bowel problems
Chest wall pain or pain under the rib cage
Coughing up bloody sputum
Fatigue, anemia
Hoarseness, wheezing, or cough
Pleural effusion (fluid surrounding the lung)
Shortness of breath
Weight loss
The mesothelioma may attack the pleura (the outer lining of the lungs and chest cavity), the peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity), or the pericardium (a tissue sac surrounding the heart).
The Prognosis for Mesothelioma Patients
In nearly every case, mesothelioma is malignant (active, growing), not benign. The prognosis for a given mesothelioma patient depends on several factors in his or her unique circumstances:
the patient's age
his or her health, especially lung and heart health
the size of the mesothelioma tumor
its stage
the type of mesothelioma cells
whether the cancer is new or a recurrence
the presence and amount of fluid in the chest and/or abdomen
Mesothelioma Treatment Options
There are three main categories of treatment for mesothelioma: surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Combinations of two or more of these are also frequently used. For example, surgery may be performed to excise all possible malignant tissue, then chemotherapy or radiation is used to kill off any cancer cells that remain. Such treatment after surgery is commonly referred to as adjuvant therapy.
New Mesothelioma Treatment are under investigation, including photodynamic therapy and biologic therapy.
More Information about Mesothelioma
There is much more to learn about mesothelioma, including the legal rights of individuals and families impacted by this disease. Contact a mesothelioma lawyer in your vicinity today to get the information you need.
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