Although rare, mesothelioma cases have increased over the past 20 years and it is predicted that by 2030, there will be approximately 300,000 cases. It is more frequent in men than women and although it can strike at any age, the risk increases with age.
Mesothelioma Causes
The main cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos, although cases have been reported when there has been no exposure to asbestos at all. In addition, there is some evidence that individuals who live in the same household as asbestos workers have run the risk of developing this form of cancer due to breathing in asbestos fibers from the worker's clothing.
What is Asbestos?
Asbestos is a group of six different minerals that have been used in building materials like cement, roof shingles, brake linings, floor tiles, and insulation. When particles of asbestos are in the air, they can be either swallowed or inhaled, which can lead to serious health problems.
Millions of Americans were exposed to asbestos dust beginning in the 1940s. Shipyard workers were among the first to show an increase in mesothelioma, along with people who produced asbestos products, and workers in the construction and heating industries.
Symptoms and Diagnosis of Pleural and Peritoneal Mesothelioma
It can take up to 50 years for symptoms of mesothelioma to appear after being exposed to asbestos. Chest pain and shortness of breath, due to fluid buildup in the pleura, are signs of pleural mesothelioma. Abdominal swelling and pain, due to fluid buildup in the abdomen, and weight loss are symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma.
Additional symptoms include fever, anemia, bowel obstruction, and blood clotting abnormalities. If the cancer spreads beyond the mesothelium, additional symptoms might include difficulty in swallowing, pain, and neck and facial swelling.
As many of the symptoms are common in other conditions, it can sometimes be difficult to diagnose mesothelioma. X-rays, lung function tests, an MRI scan, or CAT scan, also known as CT, are some of the tests performed by doctors. Performing a biopsy, which involves removing a sample of tissue for an examination by a pathologist, can confirm a diagnosis.
Direct exposure to asbestos has declined thanks to the U. S. Occupational Safety and Health administration. Workers now have protective equipment to wear and are usually required to shower and put on a change of clothes before leaving their place of business.
If concerned about asbestos exposure and mesothelioma, it's best to consult a doctor as soon as possible to be examined. Not all people exposed to asbestos develop cancer, but it's best not to take any chances.
For further information, please view the articles Mesothelioma Treatment Options and Prognosis along with Resources for Mesothelioma Cancer.
Sources:
- The Encyclopedia of Cancer, Carol Turkington and William LiPera, M.D., (Facts on File, Inc.,) 2005
- Surviving Mesothelioma and Other Cancers: A Patient's Guide, Paul Kraus, (Cancer Monthly, LLC.,) 2005
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