Mesothelioma is a rare cancer in the lining of body organs. This malignancy occurs in the lungs, heart, abdominal organs and scrotum. According to the American Cancer Society, physicians diagnose between 2,000 and 3,000 people in the United States with mesothelioma each year. Exposure to asbestos is the main cause for malignant mesothelioma. Avoiding exposure to asbestos is the best way to prevent mesothelioma. The prognosis is poor for individuals diagnosed with this condition. With treatment, the survival rate is approximately one to two years after diagnosis.
Causes
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral, resistant to heat and once used in insulation, cement and other building materials. Exposure to asbestos fibers is the primary cause for malignant mesothelioma, according to the American Cancer Society. Inhaling or swallowing asbestos causes the fibers to lodge in the lungs or abdominal cavities and invade the organ lining.
Signs and Symptoms
The symptoms of mesothelioma vary depending on the location of the cancer. Symptoms begin to appear 30 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos. Signs and symptoms of mesothelioma in the lungs include pain while breathing and coughing, shortness of breath, pain under the ribcage, weight loss and unusual lumps under the skin in the chest area. Mesothelioma in the abdomen signs and symptoms include weight loss, pain in the abdomen, abdominal swelling and lumps found under the skin in the abdomen. The rarer forms of mesothelioma in the heart and scrotum do not have distinct signs or symptoms of the cancer. Some symptoms may include chest pain and difficulty breathing for mesothelioma in the lining of the heart.
Diagnosis
A delay in diagnosis may occur because the cancer is rare and the symptoms mirror other, less serious, conditions. After a physical exam, the physician orders x-rays or a CT scan of the chest of abdomen. After finding evidence of mesothelioma, the next step of diagnosis is taking a biopsy of the affected area. After diagnosis, staging of the cancer is important for treatment options. Stage I is localized cancer which has not spread. Stage IV is the most advanced form, with of mesothelioma and it has the worst prognosis.
Treatment
Treating mesothelioma begins after staging the cancer. If appropriate, the surgeon removes the affected organ lining. Physicians also recommend courses chemotherapy and radiation therapy for mesothelioma. Normally, combinations of the therapies treat the condition.
Prognosis
The prognosis for surviving mesothelioma is similar to other cancers. Early detection and treatment is important to a better prognosis for this rare cancer. Much of the difficulty with early diagnosis is that the symptoms are vague and easy to dismiss. The prognosis is poor for advanced stages of mesothelioma. Most individuals live for approximately a year after diagnosis. Knowing about exposure to asbestos coupled with symptoms helps diagnosis the cancer earlier.
