Malignant mesothelioma is a very aggressive kind of cancer that affects the tissues that are by the abdomen, lungs, and chest walls. The tissue that is affected covers the majority of your internal organs. It can be fatal even with treatment. There are different types of mesothelioma based on where it affects the body. Pleural mesothelioma affects the tissues that surround the lungs. This is the most common type of mesothelioma cancer. Mesothelioma can also affect the tissue in other areas of the body including the abdomen, heart, testicles and more.
Symptoms
There are different symptoms of mesothelioma depending on where in the body the cancer affects. Other symptoms of certain kinds of mesothelioma may include chest pain, difficulty breathing, a mass on the testicles and more.
Mesothelioma symptoms in the tissue that surrounds a person's lungs include:
- Painful coughing
- Weight loss
- Lumpy areas on chest
- Chest pain
Mesothelioma symptoms in the tissue that surrounds a person's abdomen include:
- Abdominal swelling
- Lumps in the abdomen area
- Weight loss
- Abdomen pain
Causes
There are genetic mutations that can lead to mesothelioma. However, what casues them is still something that is not fully known. What is known is that there are risk factors that appear to increase the potential risk of developing this type of cancer. Exposure to asbestos is the greatest risk factor. Some of the other risk factors include inherited conditions, physical environment, lifestyle choices and overall health.
Risk factors
- Direct exposure to asbestos
- Indirect exposure to asbestos fibers
- Family history of mesothelioma cancer
Diagnosis
In order to be diagnosed with mesothelioma you need to schedule an appointment with your doctor. You will want to make sure that you are open and honest with your doctor about your symptoms. Keep note of when they started, if they seem to worsen at certain points of the day, and if there are any triggers. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have ever been exposed to asbestos. Depending on where in your body mesothelioma is suspected your doctor will order different tests. Your doctor will often start with a physical exam to check for lumps or other symptoms. To determine if it is mesothelioma the doctor will conduct certain medical tests includes chest X-rays, computerized tomography and biopsy.
The doctor will also want to determine what stage the mesothelioma is at. The staging of the cancer determines how far it has spread. Your doctor will order different tests to determine what stage the caner is at which often include:
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Positron emission tomography (PET)
- Computerized tomography (CT) scans of the chest or abdomen
Treatment
The treatment that is used for mesothelioma depends on your overall health, where the cancer is located, and what stage the cancer is at. The most standard treatment options include:
- Surgery
- Surgeons will work to remove the cancer when it is at an early stage.
- Surgery can be performed to decrease the amount of fluid buildup in the chest.
- Surgery may be done to remove affected tissue from the lings, ribs or abdomen.
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation
- Clinical trials
- Targeted drug therapy
- Biological therapy
Outlook
If you or someone you love is diagnosed with mesothelioma you may be overwhelmed. The best thing that you can do is to learn more about the disease so that you can be aware of all of the treatment options and support available. Creating a support network made up of close friends and family can also help to give you the emotional and physical support you need. Create an open dialog with your doctor and make sure to track your symptoms and any changes. Your doctor will also be able to give you the proper support you need from the health care community including specialist appointments, counseling and home care.