MESOTHELIOMA

Cause [ edit ] Working with  asbestos  is the most common risk factor for mesothelioma. [17]  In the United States, asbestos is considered the major cause of malignant mesothelioma [18]  and has been considered "indisputably" [19]  associated with the development of mesothelioma. Indeed, the relationship between asbestos and mesothelioma is so strong that many consider mesothelioma a “signal” or “sentinel” tumor. [20] [21] [22] [23]  A history of asbestos exposure exists in most cases. However, mesothelioma has been reported in some individuals without any known exposure to asbestos. In rare cases, mesothelioma has also been associated with irradiation of the chest or abdomen, intrapleural thorium dioxide ( thorotrast ) as a contrast medium, and inhalation of other fibrous silicates, such as  erionite  or  talc . [5] [24]  Some studies suggest that simian  virus  40 ( SV40 ) may act as a  cofactor  in the developme...

Pericardial mesothelioma [ edit ] Pericardial mesothelioma is not well characterized, but observed cases have included cardiac symptoms, specifically  constrictive pericarditis ,  heart failure ,  pulmonary embolism , and  cardiac tamponade . They have also included nonspecific symptoms, including substernal chest pain,  orthopnea  (shortness of breath when lying flat), and cough. These symptoms are caused by the tumor encasing or infiltrating the heart. [4] End stage mesothelioma [ edit ] In severe cases of the disease, the following signs and symptoms may be present: [ citation needed ] Blood clots in the veins, which may cause  thrombophlebitis Disseminated intravascular coagulation , a disorder causing severe bleeding in many body organs Jaundice , or yellowing of the eyes and skin Low blood sugar level Pleural effusion Pulmonary emboli, or blood clots in the arteries of the lungs Severe ascites If a mesothelioma forms  metas...

Peritoneal mesothelioma The most common symptoms of  peritoneal  mesothelioma are abdominal swelling and pain due to  ascites  (a buildup of fluid in the abdominal cavity). Other features may include weight loss,  fever ,  night sweats , poor appetite, vomiting, constipation, and  umbilical hernia . [15]  If the cancer has spread beyond the mesothelium to other parts of the body, symptoms may include pain, trouble swallowing, or swelling of the neck or face. [ citation needed ]  These symptoms may be caused by mesothelioma or by other, less serious conditions. Tumors that affect the abdominal cavity often do not cause symptoms until they are at a late stage. Symptoms include: [ citation needed ] Abdominal pain Ascites , or an abnormal buildup of fluid in the abdomen A mass in the abdomen Problems with bowel function Weight loss

Pleural mesothelioma Symptoms or signs of mesothelioma may not appear until 20 to 50 years (or more) after exposure to asbestos. Shortness of breath, cough, and pain in the chest due to an accumulation of fluid in the pleural space ( pleural effusion ) are often symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. [14] Mesothelioma that affects the pleura can cause these signs and symptoms: [14] Chest wall pain Pleural effusion, or fluid surrounding the lung Shortness of breath Fatigue or anemia Wheezing, hoarseness, or a cough Blood in the  sputum  (fluid) coughed up ( hemoptysis ) In severe cases, the person may have many  tumor  masses. The individual may develop a  pneumothorax , or collapse of the  lung . The disease may  metastasize , or spread to other parts of the body.

Prevention centers around reducing exposure to asbestos. [8]  Treatment often includes surgery,  radiation therapy , and  chemotherapy . A procedure known as  pleurodesis , which involves using substances such as  talc  to scar together the  pleura , may be used to prevent more fluid from building up around the lungs. [9]  Chemotherapy often includes the medications  cisplatin  and  pemetrexed . [6]  The percentage of people that  survive five years  following diagnosis is on average 8% in the United States. [10] In 2013 about 50,000 people had mesothelioma and 34,000 died from the disease. [11] [12]  Rates of mesothelioma vary in different areas of the world. Rates are higher in Australia, the United Kingdom, and lower in Japan. [3]  It occurs in about 3,000 people per year in the United States. [13]  It occurs more often in males than females. Rates of disease have increased since the 1950s. Diagno...

Mesothelioma  is a type of  cancer  that develops from the thin layer of tissue that covers many of the internal organs (known as the  mesothelium ). [1]  The most common area affected is the  lining of the lungs and chest wall . [2] [3]  Less commonly the  lining of the abdomen  and rarely the  sac surrounding the heart , [4]  or the  sac surrounding the testis  may be affected. [2] [5]  Signs and symptoms of mesothelioma may include  shortness of breath  due to  fluid around the lung , a swollen abdomen, chest wall pain, cough, feeling tired, and weight loss. [2] These symptoms typically come on slowly. [6] Greater than 80% of mesothelioma cases are caused by exposure to  asbestos . The greater the exposure the greater the risk. [3]  As of 2013 about 125 million people have been exposed to asbestos at work. [7]  High rates of disease occur in people who mine asbestos, produce products ...

Mesothelioma Cancer Mesothelioma is a rare, aggressive form of cancer that primarily develops in the lining of the lungs ( pleural mesothelioma ) or the abdomen ( peritoneal mesothelioma ). Caused by asbestos, mesothelioma has no known cure and has a poor  prognosis .