What is mesothelioma?
National Cancer Institute: "Malignant mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer, is a disease in which cancer (malignant) cells are found in the sac lining the chest (the pleura) or the abdomen."
How do you get mesothelioma?
Most people with malignant mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they breathed asbestos. Others have been exposed to asbestos in a household environment, often without knowing it.
How common is mesothelioma?
Although reported incidence rates have increased in the past 20 years, mesothelioma is still a relatively rare cancer. About 2,000 new cases are diagnosed in the United States each year. It occurs more often in men than in women and risk increases with age, but this disease can appear in either men or women at any age.
How long does it take after exposure for the disease show up?
People who were exposed in the 1940's, 50's, 60's and 70's are now being diagnosed with mesothelioma because of the long latency period of asbestos disease.
What is asbestos?
Asbestos is an extremely toxic fibrous mineral when it is inhaled, absorbed or ingested. It is found in the ground and is mined all over the world. When asbestos fibers are taken into the body it can cause ailments like mesothelioma and other problems. Extended exposure to asbestos is usually needed to develop a problem.
Which Are the Materials Containing Asbestos?
Before the 70's many insulation materials contained asbestos. Insulation on pipes, boiler insulation, insulating cements, plasters, and joint compounds that came in powder form and created a lot of dust before being completely mixed with water, fireproofing spray, roof, floor, and ceiling tiles were few of them.
How much exposure does it take to get the disease?
Exposure as little as one or two months may result in mesothelioma 30 to 40 years later.
What are the risk factors for mesothelioma?
Working with asbestos is the major risk factor for mesothelioma, 70 percent to 80 percent of all cases being developed from it.
Is smoking increasing the risk of mesothelioma?
Smoking does not appear to increase the risk of mesothelioma. However, the combination of smoking and asbestos exposure significantly increases a person's risk of developing cancer of the air passageways in the lung.
Who is at increased risk for developing mesothelioma?
An increased risk of developing mesothelioma was later found among shipyard workers, people who work in asbestos mines and mills, producers of asbestos products, workers in the heating and construction industries, and other trades' people. Today, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) set limits for acceptable levels of asbestos exposure in the workplace. People who work with asbestos wear personal protective equipment to lower their risk of exposure.
There is some evidence that family members and others living with asbestos workers have an increased risk of developing mesothelioma because of the asbestos dust brought home on the clothing and hair of asbestos workers. To reduce the chance of exposing family members to asbestos fibers, asbestos workers are usually required to shower and change their clothing before leaving the workplace.
What are the symptoms of mesothelioma?
Symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until 20 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos. Pleural mesothelioma has symptoms like: shortness of breath, back pain, chest pain, fluid build-up in the lung lining, hoarseness of the voice, rib cage pain, coughing up blood, swelling of the face and arms, muscle weakness, paralysis or sensory loss. The symptoms of the peritoneal mesothelioma , also called cancer of the peritoneum are: nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, weight loss, hernia, fluid buildup in the abdominal cavity or an abdominal mass can be symptoms of this kind of disease. Pericardial mesothelioma has symptoms that include chest pain and shortness of breath.
How is mesothelioma diagnosed?
Diagnosing mesothelioma is often difficult, because the symptoms are similar to those of a number of other conditions. Basically tissue is removed and put under a microscope for a pathological examination. A complete physical examination may be performed, including x-rays of the chest or abdomen and lung function tests.
How is mesothelioma treated?
Treatment for mesothelioma depends on the location of the cancer, the stage of the disease, and the patient's age and general health. Standard treatment options include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Sometimes, these treatments are combined. Many institutions are sponsoring clinical trials (research studies with people) that are designed to find new treatments and better ways to use current treatments.
Back to Mesothelioma homepage
