What is Malignant Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a disease in which malignant cancer
cells are found in the mesothelium. The mesothelium is a protective
sac that covers most of the bodies major organs.
The mesothelium is made up of two layers of cells:
One layer immediately surrounds the organ;
The other layer forms a sac around it.
The mesothelium produces a lubricating fluid that
is released between these layers. The purpose of this lubricating
fluid is to allow moving organs, such as the heart and lungs to glide
against adjacent structures.
Malignant mesothelioma is a disease in which cancerous
cells in the mesothelium grow to an abnormal size and divide uncontrollably.
During this process these malignant mesothelioma cells will invade
and contaminate nearby organs and tissues.
Cases of malignant mesothelioma have increased over
the last 20 years, but despite this, mesothelioma is still a comparatively
rare form of cancer with about 2000 new cases a year being diagnosed
in the United States.
Malignant mesothelioma occurs much more in men than
in women and you're much more likely to contract it when you're old
than young.
Working with asbestos is the primary cause of mesothelioma
- only 20% to 30% of reported cases occur in people who have no known
history of exposure to asbestos.
There is some evidence that family members and close
acquaintances of those who've worked with asbestos are themselves
at greater risk than the population at large of developing malignant
mesothelioma.
The symptoms of mesothelioma may not develop until
30 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos. Symptoms include shortness
of breath and chest pain, weight loss, abdominal pain and swelling
of the abdomen, bowel obstruction leading to constipation, problematic
blood-clotting, anemia and fever.
If the malignant mesothelioma has spread beyond the
mesothelium, pain may be experienced in these other body parts and
there may be swelling e.g. in the neck or face leading to trouble
swallowing.
It must be stressed that all
of the above symptoms can have causes other than malignant mesothelioma.
It is important that a properly-qualified medical doctor be consulted,
because only a doctor can provide a diagnosis.
About the Author
Alan Allport is Webmaster of http://www.asbestos-cancer.best-gen.com
a site that specialises in giving the very best information on asbestos
cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma
Maintaining health means worrying about hearing
aids as well as correcting lenses. Jumping to fitness
equipment right away is too judgmental to lose
weight. Also, abdicate excessive medicines to avoid noxious drug
interactions.
