Lung Mesothelioma - What Is It?
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Mesothelioma - even its name can strike fear into the hearts of individuals. Indeed, all kinds of cancer have an adverse effect on the physical and psychological health of otherwise healthy individuals for the simple reason that cancer has treatments and therapies but no total cure. And so, when a definitive diagnosis of lung mesothelioma has been provided by medical doctors, it is understandable that anxiety, worry and anger are the first emotions to be experienced.
What Is Lung Mesothelioma?
The lungs are covered by protective layers of membrane known as the mesothelioma, which is called the pleura. (Other internal organs like the stomach and heart also have mesothelioma known as peritoneum and pericardium, respectively) Its main functions include lubrication of the lungs so that these organs can glide freely and easily against the adjoining internal structures. Thus, the lungs can contract and expand without causing too much friction against the heart in the process.
Lung mesothelioma, which is also called pleural mesothelioma in medical circles, affects the lining of the lungs. Although mesothelioma itself is a rare form of cancer, pleural mesothelioma is the most common among all the types in this cancer category. Yet another bad news is that prognosis is typically poor for majority of afflicted individuals although early detection and subsequent aggressive therapies can improve quality of life and lengthen life expectancy.
What Are the Causes?
Like all kinds of mesothelioma cancers, lung mesothelioma is primarily caused by direct and indirect exposure to asbestos. For workers exposed to asbestos during the manufacture of industrial products like textiles, tires and cement, the risks are higher especially with longer exposure time or higher exposure quantities or both. For the individuals living with the asbestos worker in the same household, the exposure comes from the asbestos dust clinging to the clothes, shoes and other personal effects brought from work. Although other risk factors like radiation and the Simian virus 40 have been identified, their effects are minor compared to asbestos.
What Are the Symptoms?
The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are slow to develop and manifest with estimates ranging from 20 to 50 years. Also, the symptoms of lung mesothelioma mimic those of other lung disorders such as lung cancer, which necessitates advanced diagnostic tools discussed below. When the mesothelioma does show symptoms, the most common are:
• Persistent raspy and dry cough
• Coughing up of blood, known as hemoptysis in medical terms
• Difficulty in swallowing as if an object is lodged in the throat
• Shortness of breath even during inactive periods like lying in bed
• Painful breathing
• Persistent chest pain
• Fever and night sweats
• Unexplained weight loss
• Fatigue
It is important to seek a definitive diagnosis for the symptoms being experienced as early as possible especially if the individual has had direct or indirect exposure to asbestos. Successful treatment can be enjoyed in early detection.
What Are the Tools for Diagnosis?
The diagnostic tools used for mesothelioma are varied since the symptoms of this type of cancer are similar to less threatening diseases like asbestosis, pneumonia and influenza. A review of medical history and physical examination are followed by a variety of imaging tests to see inside the lungs.
The processes include X-rays, CT scans, MRI scans and biopsies. Only after these laboratory examinations are finished will the doctor provide the definitive diagnosis of mesothelioma and then treatment can commence.
What Are the Available Treatments?
As previously mentioned, prognosis for mesothelioma is typically poor but there are available treatments to improve on life expectancy. The good news is that new treatments are being discovered so there is always the hope that mesothelioma will be treatable in the near future. Also, the key is in early detection since the cancer cells have yet to take over the lungs and, thus, can be stopped in their tracks.
Doctors have many options when treating lung mesothelioma. First, surgery is designed to remove the cancerous tumor, which may involve removing part of the chest's lining as well as an entire lung and, in some cases, even the diaphragm. Second, radiation therapy involves the bombardment of the cancer cells with high energy rays.
Third, chemotherapy means administering anti-cancer drugs in an intravenous manner. Fourth, thoracentesis is only a supportive treatment mainly to relieve the symptoms and to control the pain. In all of these therapies, the patient may also undergo pulmonary rehabilitation, psychosocial care and nutritional assessment.
With the right knowledge, it is possible to conquer mesothelioma without surrendering one's dignity.
For further tips you should definitely look into Cancer.gov.
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