The Stages Of Pleural Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer  that affects the mesothelial tissues of some organs of the body such as the lungs which is called pleural mesothelioma. On the other hand, the mesothelioma cancer in the abdomen is medically termed as peritoneal mesothelioma and in the heart it is known as pericardial mesothelioma.The mesothelium is the layer of cells that line the covering of internal organs and body cavities.

This type of cancer is almost exclusively associated with exposure to asbestos dust or fibres.The unfortunate aspect of mesothelioma is that it is rarely diagnosed on time and takes a long time from exposure to asbestos to development of the disease. This can take from ten to fifty years or longer.The treatment options depend on the stage at which it is diagnosed. 

Stages of Pleural Mesothelioma

Cancer staging refers to the extent of the cancer cells. The higher the stage, the poor the prognosis is. Staging is based on the size of the tumour(primary mass),how far it has spread(metastasis) and involvement of the lymph nodes.Treatment options and management of pleural mesothelioma depends on the stage at which it is diagnosed.

Stage 1. This is the earliest stage of pleural mesothelioma. The cancer is localized on one side of the chest,left or right.It may have spread to the lung,the pericardium or diaphragm on the same side.There is no involvement of lymph nodes at this stage.Treatment involves surgery to remove the tumours and a small amount of surrounding tissue.This is followed by chemotherapy and/or radiation to kill off any remaining cancer cells.Prognosis for stage 1 is good.

Stage 2. In this stage,the cancer has spread from its point of origin to affect the pleural membrane on the other side of the chest.It may have affected the other lung,the heart covering or the diaphragm.Lymph nodes may have become involved.Treatment options include surgery to remove tumours and affected lymph nodes depending on the size and location and the extent of involvement of nearby organs.This is followed by radiation or chemotherapy to kill the remaining cancer cells.Prognosis is not as good as in stage 1.

Stage 3. During this stage, the cancer has spread to multiple locations within the chest.Organs such as both lungs,the heart,ribs,oesophagus,diaphragm, including lymph nodes are affected.Treatment options are limited at this stage.Surgery is only considered if the patient is sufficiently healthy enough to withstand the physical strain associated with such extensive surgeries.Large tumour masses are removed to ease the pressure on nearby organs.Treatments are generally palliative.Thoracentesis is used to drain fluid built up in the chest.Chemotherapy and radiation may be employed to shrink tumours and provide symptomatic relief.Prognosis is poor.

Stage 4. This is the end stage of the disease. The cancer has penetrated deeply into nearby organs and the tumours are large.Spread has occurred to other parts of the body.Surgery cannot be performed at this stage.Treatments are palliative such as thoracentesis to drain fluid from the chest cavity to ease pain and discomfort.Chemotherapy and radiation may be used to shrink tumours to provide some relief.Prognosis is very poor.

Those are the four stages of pleural mesothelioma. So if you think you have been long exposed to asbestos, visit your doctor right away and get checked because the earlier pleural mesothelioma is detected,the better it can be handled and the greater the chances of survival.

How Does Asbestos Cause Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a highly aggressive form of cancer that is difficult to diagnose and treat.About two to three thousand cases are diagnosed annually in the United States alone and account for about three percent of all diagnosed cancer cases.

The condition affects the mesothelial cells lining the covering of internal organs and body cavities.It is called pleural mesothelioma when it affects the lungs and chest cavity;pericardial mesothelioma when it involves the covering of the heart;peritoneal mesothelioma when it occurs in the peritoneum and testicular mesothelioma when the tunica vaginalis covering the testis is affected.  Mesothelioma is almost exclusively associated with inhalation or ingestion of asbestos fibers  and most victims come down with the disease after some ten to fifty years after exposure though it can progress more rapidly in a few cases.

The question to ask is:how does exposure to asbestos cause mesothelioma?The exact mechanism by which asbestos causes mesothelioma is still being researched into but four different theories have been advanced by medical professionals:

v  Asbstos fibers cause irritation and inflammation of the mesothelium leading to irreversible scarring,damage to cells and eventually cancer.

v  Asbestos fibers enter cells and disrupt the normal function of cellular structures that control cell division,causing changes that lead to cancer.

v  Asbestos causes the production of free radicals which damage the DNA,causing mutations which lead to the cells becoming cancerous.

v  Asbestos enters cells causing them to produce abnormal proteins called oncoproteins.These molecules are thought to cause mesothelial cells to ignore the normal restraint on cell division,thereby leading to uncontrolled cell division and ultimately cancer.

The underlining  factor common to the four theories is the fact that asbestos causes cellular damage which causes cells to lose control over the normal cycles of cell division causing them to divide uncontrollably.In health,cells follow cycles of division that ensure that tissues and organs do not grow beyond their normal sizes.In cancer cells however,all such natural restraints are lost.

In cases of mesothelioma,the membranes(mesothelium) in the affected region begin to thicken with fluid building up between the membrane spaces.As the cancer cells continue to divide and pile on top of one another,tumours begin to form.The uncontrolled division of the cancer cells and increase in the size of the tumours lead to impaired function of the organs and systems involved primarily from pressure caused by the tumours and inadequate nutrition of the normal cells.

Asbestos exposure is as at date the only proven cause of mesothelioma.However,researchers have shown that smoking can aggravate a less serious asbestos-related condition like asbestosis and prompt the formation of tumours and onset ofmesothelioma.Asbestos exposure and smoking have been shown to have a synergistic effect and can greatly increase the risk of developing lung cancer.It is therefore advised that individuals with history of asbestos exposure should abstain from smoking.They should also present themselves for regular screening checks by their doctors so that any histological changes can be detected on time for better management and increased chances of survival.

Asbestos-The Chief Cause of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that mainly affects the mesothelium - the lining of the lungs and the abdomen.It accounts for about 3% of all diagnosed cancers annually. It is characterized by shortness of breath, chest pain, wheezing, coughing blood and unexplainable weight loss. These are just a few symptoms of the disease.

Asbestos is the main cause of mesothelioma.Studies have proven that exposure to this substance leads to different types of mesothelioma. But, how exactly does asbestos cause mesothelioma?

 Asbestos is a set of six naturally occuring silicate minerals.Mine workers and those working in manufacturing  industries that handle asbestos are at most risk. Due to its fibrous nature, asbestos can easily separate. These are usually very small and light particles that easily suspend in air. These fibres are either straight or curved. The straight fibres are more likely to cause disease than the curved ones. During the manufacturing and mining processes, asbestos can be disintegrated and become airborne.  The people around such environments inhale the fibres and they are deposited in the lungs. 

The body easily gets rid of the fibres through coughing. However, not all the fibres are usually removed from the lungs. The remaining fibres usually get into the air sacs, the alveoli-the point where gaseous exchange takes place. These fibres remain in the lungs for the longest time possible. They also settle at the lower part of the lungs and the big muscle that moves the lungs when breathing, the diaphragm. During their stay in the lungs, the asbestos fibres tend to damage them. The process is usually gradual and unnoticed until after a minimum of 15 years.

The fibres, which accumulate in the pleural cavity, attack the mesothelium. This is a tissue which lines the lungs and chest cavity. It is normally moist, flexible and thin to allow for ample gaseous exchange. The asbestos usually enter the walls of the mesothelium and irritate the cells. As a result, the mesothelium counter attacks by forming a scar tissue. However, after some time, the scar tissues become fibrous lading to a condition called asbestosis.

The fibers also interfere with cell division in the mesothelium, especially mitosis. The cells' DNA is damaged and the growth and regulation process tampered with. Since there is uncontrolled cell multiplication, there is a massive uncontrolled cell growth, leading to cancer.

In conclusion, it is medically proven that  exposure to asbestos causes mesothelioma. It is important that one avoids getting exposed.Workers in the manufacturing or mining sectors should wear protective gear.People with a history of exposure to asbestos should present themselves for regular screening and checks by their doctors.This will help to detect the disease early enough for better management and greater chance of survival.

Early Diagnosis of Mesothelioma Can Save Your Life

The term mesothelioma defines a rare form of cancer that affects the mesothelium, a protective membrane covering most of the internal organs. The mesothelium is named differently depending on the organ it covers: peritoneum (lining the organs inside the abdominal cavity), pleura (covering the lungs and internal chest cavity), pericardium (lining and protecting the heart), tunica vaginalis (surrounding the male internal reproductive organs) or tunica serosa uteri (lining the internal reproductive organs in women).

Besides protecting the organs it covers, this membrane also produces a lubricating fluid, released between the two layers of the meshotelium. Mesothelioma occurs mainly in people with a history of direct or indirect exposure to asbestos-direct when the patient works or worked in organizations that produce or use asbestos,and indirect when innocent family members of asbestos industry workers inhale the asbestos fibres that got stuck on their clothing. When  the toxic fibers of this mineral are ingested or inhaled, they become lodged in organs and cavities, leading to inflammatory processes and diseases. They usually lead to high cellular damage and overtime they begin to divide uncontrollably. As a consequence, the two layers of the mesothelium become thicker and the fluid between them begins to build up.

In most of the patients it takes up to 20-50 years after asbestos exposure for mesothelioma symptoms to develop. Considering the fact that in early stages this form of cancer is asymptomatic, mesothelioma prognosis depends on how advanced the disease is when diagnosed. Having a diagnosis during the first stages of the illness improves the patient's chances of positively responding to treatment. On the other hand, if the mesothelioma is diagnosed once it  has reached the advanced stages,treatment options are really limited and often, prognosis is very poor.

Pleural mesothelioma is the most common form of this cancer and it is usually accompanied with persistent dry cough, dysphagia (difficulty in swallowing), dyspnea(shortness of breath), night sweats and fever, fatigue and persistent pain in the chest area. In this type of mesothelioma, the respiratory function is the most affected.

Peritoneal mesothelioma can be recognized by symptoms like unexplained weight loss, accentuated anemia, fatigue, frequent diarrhea or constipation episodes, abdominal pain, lumps and swelling, nausea and vomiting.Pericardial  mesothelioma leads to heart palpitations and chest pain, dyspnea, fever and general fatigue. Testicular mesothelioma is extremely rare and the very scanty number of cases known makes it hard to establish the typical symptoms. The most common sign reported is the appearance of testicular lumps, which may be painful in some patients.

Diagnosis is usually based on the patient's medical history, a physical examination and in case mesothelioma is strongly suspected,additional tests may be required - usually, X-rays, CT, MRI or PET scans. If the result of these tests is positive and tumour is identified, the physician may also order a biopsy, in order to establish if it is benign or malignant.

As for the treatment, the most common alternatives are surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Surgery is used to remove the affected tissues and provide symptomatic relief. Radiation therapy kills the existing cancer cells and prevents the growth of new ones, while chemotherapy uses medication to target the cells responsible for mesothelioma development.

Sadly however,prognosis is usually very poor as the vast majority of cases are diagnosed in the advanced stages of the disease.Treatments are generally unsuccessful and most patients die within 5-14 months.Only about 5% live up to 5 years.Early diagnosis greatly improves the chances of survival.

Mesothelioma-A Silent Killer

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that people contract after long periods(usually 20-50 years) of exposure to asbestos. Many people live with it without knowing only for them to come down with it later when it is beyond a state that is treatable. It is a rare disease but does not mean that you are completely safe. It is very important that you get tested for the disease if you have a history of direct or indirect exposure to asbestos for long periods. There are very many ways on how to know if you have mesothelioma.

The progression of the disease is very slow and one can even succumb to other ailments without knowing that he or she had mesothelioma. If you know that you have been exposed to asbestos for more than twenty  years then you need to get tested for the disease. The first symptoms include falling short of breath at the slightest exertion or when sleeping. This is brought about by pleural effusion which is an excessive collection of fluid in between the lungs and the chest cavity.

The other symptom is persistent cough usually dry accompanied by small episodes of breathlessness. The fluid constricts the air supply to the lungs and the cough is a reaction of the body trying to decongest the lungs. The heart may also be affected and you can possibly feel the fluid inside the chest cavity.

Chest pains are also symptoms to watch out for. When the cough becomes  persistent you are likely to start feeling pain when coughing. The pain is usually sharp and it is during this stage of the ailment that many patients seek medical advice. Chest pains are common for extreme colds and flu but you should learn to differentiate the symptoms. People with lung cancer also experience similar symptoms.

It is also possible to have palpitations characterized by a very high heart rate. Before the disease was actually discovered, medical experts used to diagnose the condition as increased blood pressure. The reason behind the increased heart rate is the fluid collecting around the heart constricting the veins and arteries. The heart therefore had to put in extra effort to pump the required amount of blood to meet the needs of  the body organs therefore resulting in an increased heart rate.

If you have a history of asbestos exposure long enough and you have any of the above symptoms then you should visit a medical institution for a checkup. Mesothelioma is diagnosed using advanced medical tests like Computer Tomography(CT) scans, X-ray and Magnetic Reasonance Imaging(MRI). It can imitate other forms of cancer but can be singled out by carrying out a pathological test.
It is extremely vital that people with a history of long periods of exposure to asbestos should present themselves for regular screening to enable their doctors detect the condition early for better prognosis and survival rate.

Basic Facts About Mesothelioma

v  Mesothelioma is a primary tumour arising from the surface lining of the pleura(80% of cases) or peritoneum(20% of cases).

v  About three-fourths of pleural mesothelioma cases are diffuse(usually malignant) while the remaining one-fourth are localized(usually benign).

v  Three quarters of cases of mesothelioma are seen in men while women account for the remaining one quarter.

v  Numerous studies have confirmed the association of malignant mesothelioma with exposure to asbestos(especially the crocidolite form).

v  The lifetime risk of all asbestos workers coming down with malignant pleural mesothelioma is as high as 10%.

v  About 60-80% of patients with malignant mesothelioma report a history of known exposure to asbestos.

v  The latency period between exposure and onset of symptoms is 20-50 years.

v  Workers get exposed to asbestos in the mining,milling and manufacturing industries.Other sectors/products with high risks of exposure include:shipyard work,insulation,brake linings,building construction and demolition,roofing materials,asbestos pipes,textiles,paints,tiles,gaskets and a host of other products that contain asbestos.

v  Although cigarette smoking significantly increases the risk of lung cancer in asbestos workers and aggravates the symptoms of asbestosis,there is no association between smoking and mesothelioma.

v  The mean age of onset of symptoms of malignant pleural mesothelioma is 60 years.Symptoms include the gradual(not easily noticed) onset of shortness of breath,chest pain and weight loss.

v  Pleural mesothelioma usually affects only one lung with up to 60% of cases affecting the right lung.Only 5% of cases involve both lungs.

v  Treatment include surgery,chemotherapy,radiotherapy and a combination of methods.However,treatments are generally unsuccessful.

v  Prognosis is poor.Most patients die of respiratory failure and complications arising from metastasis.

v  The mean survival time from onset of symptoms range from four to sixteen months.Survival up to five years is less than five percent.

Early Mesothelioma Symptoms

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is almost exclusively associated with inhalation of asbestos fibers.Asbestos itself is a natural mineral that is very resistant to heat and corrosion and was widely used in the past and even up to the present in some countries especially many developing countries,in the construction and fireproofing industries among many other uses.Because of the long periods(latency period) between exposure and development of disease,it is usually difficult to diagnose the condition early enough.This leads to late diagnosis of mesothelioma in most patients with a very grave prognosis or outcome.

The most common form of mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma.The pleura is the outer lining of the lungs and internal chest wall.The two most important early symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest pain and difficulty in breathing.They are a direct result of pleural effusion(build up of fluid in the chest) which can be seen in up to 90% of patients.Other early warning signs include dry cough or wheezing,fatigue,tightness in the chest and weight loss.

Another type of mesothelioma is peritoneal mesothelioma.The peritoneum is the inner lining of the abdominal wall.The most common early symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma are abdominal pain,followed by abdominal enlargement and tenderness.There is also loss of appetite resulting in weight loss.

There is also pericardial mesothelioma.The pericardium is the outer covering of the heart.The most common symptoms here are chest pain and difficulty in breathing.They are as a result of the thickening of the pericardium.

For testicular mesothelioma,which is very rare,the most important and consistent symptom is a lump in the testis.

Because of the long latency period from exposure to asbestos to development of mesothelioma(mean latency for men is 48 years while for women it is 53 years),it is important that people at most risk of developing the disease should present themselves for regular screening.Usually onset of symptoms is  gradual and more often than not are attributed to less serious conditions.Many patints also have other respiratory diseases and the onset of mesothelioma is often misinterpreted as a worsening of the existing condition.Early diagnosis leads to a better prognosis and should be taken seriously by people with a history of exposure to asbestos whether or not they have any symptoms of mesothelioma.