About Mesothelioma

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Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer. Malignant (cancer) cells develop in the mesothelium, a protective sac that covers most of the organs. Mesothelioma usually starts on the outside membrane of the lungs (pleura), but can also occur in a layer of abdominal cavity (peritoneum). Extraordinary, heart or reproductive organs may be affected. Treatment depends on where the cancer is found and whether it has spread.

There is currently no cure for mesothelioma but can be removed by surgery. Unfortunately, at the time mesothelioma diagnosis, usually has spread beyond the point where he can be moved by an operation. In this case, the treatment aims to prolong life and keep people as comfortable as possible.

Mesothelioma is almost always caused by exposure to asbestos and can develop decades after exposure. Asbestos is a group of minerals that have been widely used for fire-resistant and insulating properties. There is no longer mined or processed in Australia because of health risks.

How to spread
Malignant (cancer) cells develop in the mesothelium. Pocket protector has a different name, depending on the location in the body. They are most often exposed to mesothelioma are:

* Depth pleura - the membrane surrounding the lungs.
* Parietal pleura - the membrane that lines the chest wall.
* Membrane - the membrane that form the lining of the abdominal and pelvic cavities.

Mesothelioma most often begins in the pleura. Typically, both the pleura and slide on each other when we breathe, lubricated by fluid from the slick. In the case of pleural mesothelioma, pleura is more important than the liquid pressure in the lungs (pleural fluid). Mesothelioma is usually grown in only one lung. The tumor tends to grow in the lungs to the entire organ is encased.

About 10 percent of cases of mesothelioma, asbestos fibres that have been swallowed can move through the stomach wall and cause cancer cells to develop in the peritoneum (peritoneal mesothelioma).

Sometimes the cancer cells migrate to the lymph nodes and other areas of the body (such as the lungs are not affected) through the system is weak. Extraordinary, heart or reproductive organs may be affected.

Symptoms of mesothelioma - lungs
Pleural mesothelioma symptoms include:

* Breathlessness
* Coughing dry
* Pain.

Symptoms of mesothelioma - coating
Peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms include:

* Painful stomach
* Swollen stomach
* High Temperature
* Nausea and vomiting
* Bowel problems
* Urinary problems.

Symptoms in the later stage
Symptoms in the later stages of the disease include:

* Sudden and unexplained weight loss
* Spitting up phlegm
* Top spitting blood
* Swallowing problems
* Hoarseness.

High-risk groups
The main risk factor for mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. This disease is rarely seen in young children. Since mesothelioma can take as long as 40 years to develop, the incidence tends to increase after middle age. High-risk groups include people who have worked with asbestos - in a job such as asbestos mining, milling and manufacturing or construction, electrical and industrial facilities - and the immediate family or household members: for instance, those who work to wash their clothes.

Smoking greatly increase the risk of lung cancer in people who have been exposed to asbestos. Most asbestos-related lung cancer due to the combined effects of asbestos and tobacco smoke.

Diagnosis
Mesothelioma symptoms may be caused by this condition or may be due to other, less serious conditions. It is important to see a doctor about any symptoms. Only a doctor can make a diagnosis.

Mesothelioma diagnosis that may include:

* Medical history, including the history of asbestos exposure
* Physical examination
* Blood test
* Chest x-rays
* CT scan
* Residents and laboratory analysis of pleural fluid
* Tissue samples (biopsy) to help differentiate mesothelioma from other conditions, known as' soft asbestos-related pleural disease.

Treatment
Treatment depends on the type of mesothelioma, the stage (of power) of the disease and the option. Other options include:

* Pleurectomy - surgery to remove the affected network. Lungs may be affected will also be removed as a whole (pneumonectomy) or partial (lobectomy). Usually only a small tumours treated with surgery. May a life span will be prolonged for several months or years.
* Light - which is sometimes used during the procedure pleurectomy. Stray cancer cells in the breast that is highlighted with a special dye and killed by laser.
* Thoracentesis - procedures that remove fluid from the pleural cavity through a needle inserted between the ribs.
* Pleurodesis - a special powder is inserted between the layers cause pleural inflammation and stop the production of excess fluid. This is done by using the slender instrument (endoscope) is inserted in the chest.
* Paracentesis - procedures that little needle or tube inserted into the stomach to remove fluid from the peritoneal cavity (space in the stomach that contains intestines, stomach and liver).
* Coating operation - operation to remove tumours in the abdominal cavity. Intestinal symptoms may increase following the procedure.
* Chemotherapy - the use of cancer-killing drugs that can lurk in the cancer and ease symptoms. Chemotherapy is often recommended if the cancer has returned following other treatments or if other treatment is not suitable.
* Radiotherapy - x-ray treatment to kill cancer cells. Only small areas can be treated or cells from a healthy lung, liver and heart may be damaged. Radiotherapy is often used to ease pain and breathlessness.

The role of asbestos
Asbestos is the name of a group of minerals that many once used as fire-resistant and insulating properties. Due to health risks, it is no longer mined, milled or manufactured in Australia. All the asbestos in the use of new products now banned in Australia and there is no asbestos products can be imported. Government's strict vigilance is also the removal and disposal of asbestos and asbestos-containing materials.

Things to remember

* Rarely Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that can develop decades after exposure to asbestos.
* Mesothelioma is usually the target outside the pleura (pleura), but can also occur in the membrane lining of the abdominal cavity (peritoneum). Extraordinary, heart or reproductive organs may be affected.
* Except for surgical removal is the option does not have the medicine - treatment aims to prolong life and keep people as comfortable as possible.