What You Need To Know About Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops from the thin layer of tissue that covers many of the internal organs (known as the mesothelium). The most common area affected is the lining of the lungs and chest wall. Less commonly the lining of the abdomen and rarely the sac surrounding the heart,or the sac surrounding the testis may be affected.

 Mesothelioma is an aggressive and deadly form of cancer. Mesothelioma treatments are available, but for many people with mesothelioma, a cure is not possible.

The Cause of Mesothelioma Cancer

The only known cause of malignant mesothelioma is asbestos exposure.

Asbestos is a fiber that was once widely used in hundreds of building, industrial, commercial, and housing products and is still present in millions of U.S. workplaces and homes.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of mesothelioma vary depending on where the cancer occurs.

Pleural mesothelioma, which affects the tissue that surrounds the lungs, causes signs and symptoms that may include:

·        Chest pain under the rib cage

·        Painful coughing

·        Shortness of breath

·        Unusual lumps of tissue under the skin on your chest

·        Unexplained weight loss

Peritoneal mesothelioma, which occurs in tissue in the abdomen, causes signs and symptoms that may include:

·        Abdominal pain

·        Abdominal swelling

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·        Lumps of tissue in the abdomen

·        Unexplained weight loss

When To See A Doctor

See your doctor if you have signs and symptoms that may indicate mesothelioma. Signs and symptoms of mesothelioma aren't specific to this disease and, due to the rarity of mesothelioma, are more likely to be related to other conditions. If any persistent signs and symptoms seem unusual or bothersome, ask your doctor to evaluate them. Tell your doctor if you've been exposed to asbestos.

Life Expectancy

According to research, average life expectancy for mesothelioma patients is 12 to 21 months. How long a patient lives depends on several factors including age, stage of the disease, and overall health. Approximately 40 percent of patients live past one year; 9 percent live longer than 5 years.

Malignant mesothelioma is an aggressive form of cancer whose symptoms typically don’t show up until later stages. Therefore, life expectancy for mesothelioma patients is generally short, especially without treatment.

Life expectancy varies significantly from patient to patient based on a number of individual factors and circumstances. Long-term survival is extremely rare, with fewer than 10 percent of patients living beyond 5 years. Early detection and quality health care are the most important factors in improving one's prognosis.