Asbestos Cancer

About Mesothelioma Cancer

Mesothelioma cancer is rare form of cancer in which malignant cells are found in the mesothelium. The mesothelium is the protective sack that covers most of the body’s internal organs.

Most people who develop mesothelioma cancer have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles.

1. What is mesothelioma cancer?

Mesothelioma cancer is a disease where the cells of the mesothelium become cancerous (ie. the cells become abnormal and divide without control). These malignant cells can attack and harm nearby tissues and organs. Cancer cells can also spread from their origin to other parts of the body. In most cases of mesothelioma begin in the pleura or peritoneum.

The mesothelium has different names, depending on its location in the body. The peritoneum is the mesothelial tissue that covers most of the organs in the abdominal cavity. The pleura is the membrane that surrounds the lungs and lines the wall of the chest cavity.

2. How common is Mesothelioma Cancer? Although reported incidence rates have increased in the past 20 years, mesothelioma is still a relatively rare cancer. About 2,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in the United States each year. Mesothelioma occurs more often in men than in women and risk increases with age, but this disease can appear in either men or women at any age. 3. Risk factors for Mesothelioma Cancer Working with asbestos is the major risk factor for

mesothelioma. A history of asbestos exposure at work is reported in about 70 percent to 80 percent of all cases. However, mesothelioma has been reported in some individuals without any known exposure to asbestos.

Asbestos, the main cause of mesothelioma is a mineral that occurs naturally as masses of strong, flexible fibers.

These asbestos fibers can be separated into thin threads and woven like cotton. Asbestos has been widely used for over a century for many products. These include brake linings, cement, roofing and building materials as well as insulation.

Asbestos use greatly increased during the second World War and since the early 1940s, millions of American workers have been exposed to asbestos dust.

At the outset, the risks associated with asbestos exposure were not known. However, an increased risk of developing mesothelioma was later found with boat yard workers. High rates of mesothelioma and other related illnesses was also found in people who work in asbestos mines and mills as well as producers of asbestos products. This also included workers in the heating and construction industries.

The tiny asbestos particles can float in the air once the asbestos is disturbed, during the manufacturing process or while working with these manufactured products, especially if cutting or sawing is involved. The particles can be inhaled or swallowed, and can cause serious health problems.

In addition to mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos increases the risk of lung cancer, asbestosis (a noncancerous, chronic lung ailment), and other cancers, such as those of the larynx and kidney.

Smoking does not appear to increase the risk of mesothelioma, the combination of smoking and asbestos exposure does significantly increase the risk of developing cancer of the air passages of the lungs.

4. Who is at increased risk for developing mesothelioma?

The risk of asbestos-related disease increases with heavier exposure and longer exposure time. That said, some individuals with only brief exposures have also developed mesothelioma. Not all workers who have been heavily exposed develop asbestos related diseases.

There is also evidence that family members and people living with asbestos workers have an increased risk of developing mesothelioma. This may be the result of exposure to asbestos dust brought home on the clothing and hair of asbestos workers.
 
5. What are the symptoms of mesothelioma?

Symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos. Shortness of breath and chest pain due to an accumulation of fluid in the pleura (chest or lung area) are often symptoms.

Symptoms of peritoneal (abdominal) mesothelioma include weight loss and abdominal pain and swelling due to a build up of fluid in the abdomen region.

Other symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma may include bowel obstruction, blood clotting abnormalities, anaemia, and fever. 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.

These symptoms may be caused by mesothelioma or by other, less serious conditions. It is important to see a doctor about any of these symptoms. Only a doctor can make a diagnosis.

6. How is mesothelioma diagnosed?

 Diagnosis of mesothelioma cancer is often difficult. The symptoms are very similar to those of a number of other conditions. Diagnosis begins with a review of the patient’s medical history, including any history of asbestos exposure.

A complete physical examination may be performed, including x-rays of the chest or abdomen as well as lung function tests. A CAT scan or an MRI may also be useful.
 
A biopsy is needed to confirm a diagnosis of mesothelioma. In a biopsy, a surgeon or a medical oncologist (a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating cancer) removes a sample of tissue for examination under a microscope by a pathologist.

If the diagnosis is mesothelioma, the doctor will want to learn the stage (or extent) of the disease. Staging involves more tests in a careful attempt to find out whether the cancer has spread and, if so, to which parts of the body. Knowing the stage of the disease helps the doctor plan treatment.

Mesothelioma is described as localized if the cancer is found only on the membrane surface where it originated. It is classified as advanced if it has spread beyond the original membrane surface to other parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes, lungs, chest wall, or abdominal organs.

7. How is mesothelioma treated?

 Treatment for mesothelioma depends on the location of the cancer, the stage of the disease, and the patient’s age and general health. Standard treatment options include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Sometimes, these treatments are combined.

Information source National Cancer Insttitue - www.cancer.gov

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