An Overview Of Mesothelioma Cancers
What are Mesothelioma Cancers?
Mesothelioma cancers are the cancers that spread in the mesothelium tissues. Mesothelium, in general, is the name of tissue that forms the lining of different body organs such as the heart, lungs, abdomen, and reproductive organs. The lining around abdominal organs is known as peritoneal membrane. Lining around the lungs is called a pleural membrane, while the lining around the heart is called the pericardium.
These linings perform two functions. They protect the internal organs by producing a lubricating fluid and allowing the smooth movement of the internal organs. Mesothelioma cancers are the cancers affecting these membranes.
The names of the cancers depend on the tissue or linings they affect:
– Peritoneal mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining of the abdomen.
– Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining of the lungs.
– Pericardial mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining of the heart.
Pleural mesothelioma is the most common cancer, found in 70 % of patients. Peritoneal mesothelioma constitutes 10% to 20% of the mesothelioma patients, while third type pericardial mesothelioma is rare.
Symptoms of Mesothelioma Cancers
Symptoms of mesothelioma are the same as of other common diseases. It makes the diagnosis of mesothelioma cancers problematic. Pain and swelling in the abdomen, weakness, loss of weight, loss of appetite, and nausea are some symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma. Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are persistent cough, difficulty in breathing, weight loss, loss of appetite, weakness, chest pains, lower back pains, and difficulty in swallowing.
History
The history goes back to as far back as the 1900s. It took about 60 years to gather sufficient information about these cancers. By the end of the sixth decade of the last century, experts could conclude that exposure to asbestos particles is the reason behind the disease. J. C. Wagner was the first researcher to report 32 cases of cancers and confirmed its association with asbestos exposure.
One alarming fact about the mesothelioma cancers is its extended latency period. These cancers may remain asymptomatic in the body for even up to 50 years. Chances of survival for mesothelioma patients are rare, and the average survival period after diagnosis is not more than 12-24 months. Surgery, if diagnosed early, chemotherapy and radiation therapy are some conventional treatments for all types of mesothelioma cancers. People suffering from mesothelioma cancers can file lawsuits to recover damages for medical expenses and other damages. They can file the lawsuits against the persons and companies responsible for causing asbestos exposure.