Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that affects the mesothelium or the protective covering of most internal organs. Mesothelioma is caused by the exposure to asbestos. The major sites for mesothelioma are pleura or the outer lining of the lungs, peritoneum or the lining of the abdominal cavity and pericardium or the protective sac that covers the heart. People who work in asbestos mines or stay near the mines, workers who are handling asbestos are at high risks of developing mesothelioma in the later stages of their life. There is no connection between mesothelioma and smoking.

Signs and symptoms

Symptoms of mesothelioma may not be expressed until 20 to 40 years after exposure to asbestos dust or fibers. As there are three main types of mesothelioma which attack the three areas of the body there are many symptoms associated with mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma is characterized by shortness of breath, regular cough and pain in the chest because of the accumulation of fluid in the pleural space, blood in the sputum etc. The symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include abdominal swelling and pain as a result of ascites or the build up of fluids in the abdominal cavity, bowel obstruction, anemia, blood clotting abnormalities, nausea, swelling in neck or face, sudden weight loss etc. Pericardial mesothelioma has chest pain, irregular heart beats, changes in breathing pattern as its symptoms.

Diagnosis of mesothelioma

The diagnosis of mesothelioma is a bit difficult process. The symptoms of mesothelioma are common to some other diseases as well; so there are good chances of misdiagnosis. Pathology tests are the most accurate way of diagnosing mesothelioma. When a person suspecting mesothelioma approaches a doctor, he will recommend taking imaging tests like X-ray, CAT/CT scan of the chest or abdomen. If needed, the doctor will ask for further tests like biopsy. Biopsy is checking the parts of the organs or body which are susceptible to mesothelioma under a powerful microscope to identify the presence of cancer cells. Thoracoscopy is a procedure to check lungs, thoracic cavity and peritoneoscopy for checking inside the abdominal cavity. Final diagnosis is based on the report of the pathologist.

Treatment

The methods of treatment of mesothelioma include surgery, radiation therapy and chemical therapy. Depending on the area affected by mesothelioma, the stage of the cancer, and the age of the patient, any one or a combination of these methods is used for treating the mesothelioma patient. Surgery is done to remove the parts affected by cancer. Pleurectomy is the most common surgery done in mesothelioma patients. In radiation therapy, high energy radiations are used to kill cancer cells in the localized areas. In chemotherapy cancer cell killing medicines are introduced into the body intravenously. Sometimes surgery followed by radiation and chemotherapy is used to treat mesothelioma. Gene therapy and immunotherapy are the latest additions to the gamut of mesothelioma treatment options. In gene therapy the defective gene which causes caner is corrected using the regular copies of genes. Immunotherapy uses the body’s immune system to fight against the cancer.

As mesothelioma is a highly aggressive and deadly type of cancer, it is important that the patient after treatment should have the follow-up check ups done regularly.