Malignant mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the mesothelial tissues in the body and is very difficult to correctly diagnose. Its symptoms resemble those of many other ailments and only a pathologist examining a sample of tissue under a microscope can correctly identify malignant mesothelioma. Symptoms largely depend on the cancer’s location in the body but may include shortness of breath, anemia, abnormal blood clotting, chest and abdominal pain, and several others.
After malignant mesothelioma has been diagnosed, it is usually at an advanced stage and the average life expectancy is only eighteen months as it is very difficult to detect until it has progressed to a point where treatment options are limited. There are several palliative treatments that relieve some of the discomfort of malignant mesothelioma but a cure for this cancer has yet to be found. Each year, over two thousand people in the United States and many thousands more worldwide are diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma.
Most of the body’s internal organs are protected by two layers of mesothelium which protect them from friction and abrasion as we move about. The mesothelium is called by several different names depending on location but the three main types of malignant mesothelioma are:
The single largest risk of malignant mesothelioma arises from exposure to airborne asbestos dust and fiber. Rare cases have been documented where the victim had little to no exposure to asbestos but the overwhelming majority of victims have worked in places where asbestos was used in manufacturing. For most of the last century, asbestos was regarded as a very useful material for making a variety of items fire-resistant, pliable, resilient, and a number of other desirable properties.
As such, it was used in a wide range of applications including building and pipe insulation, brake linings, roofing materials, textiles, flooring tiles, and many, many more. It wasn’t until the 1970’s that contact with asbestos was linked with malignant mesothelioma and by then, millions of people had been exposed. Further complicating matters is that mesothelioma does not usually appear until decades after asbestos exposure.
As medical science continues to learn more about malignant mesothelioma and its causes, a variety of treatments are being explored to find a cure for this and other forms of cancer. Some of these treatments include:
If you or a family member has worked with asbestos in any way or lived with someone who has, it is very important to schedule a full medical exam as soon as possible. There have been documented cases where family members of people working with asbestos have been diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma after being exposed to asbestos dust and fibers on clothing. To learn more about malignant mesothelioma, its causes, and treatment options, explore the other pages of this site and bookmark it for future reference.