mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a serious type of cancer that attacks the membrane surrounding various organs. symptoms of mesothelioma may take anywhere between 20 to 40 years or more to manifest themselves. And because early mesothelioma symptoms tend to be general, they often go ignored or else confused for symptoms of less serious ailments.
The following symptomatic responses MAY BE caused by mesothelioma, or by other less serious medical problems. Early symptoms of mesothelioma are often similar to pneumonia. This information is provided for your information only, and should NOT take the place of a full medical diagnosis. If you are experiencing any of the below symptoms, consult your doctor right away.
Asbestos is used by manufacturers who are aware of the health risks associated with it such as mesothelioma.
A patient with mesothelioma often demonstrates symptoms 15 to 50 years after initial exposure to asbestos. The cancer may take decades to develop in the body and symptoms do not arise until after the cancer is present. Many patients are unaware of the severity of their condition since mesothelioma symptoms typically resemble symptoms of less serious illnesses.
The rarest form of asbestos-related cancer, pericardial Mesothelioma attacks the lining that surrounds the heart, known as the pericardium. Though this type of Mesothelioma accounts for the lowest number of asbestos-related cancers diagnosed each year – about 5% to 15% - it is often associated with long-term exposure to asbestos. Those who worked in asbestos-laden buildings or with asbestos-containing products throughout the majority of their working years are often the victims of this dreaded disease.
Tumors of the mesothelium can be either benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Since malignant mesothelioma is much more common than benign mesothelioma it is often simply called mesothelioma. Characteristics of a malignant tumor are that it has the ability to spread to other parts of the body, making it much more dangerous.
While there is currently no cure available for malignant mesothelioma, there are treatments available. The types of treatments may include:
Because mesothelioma's symptoms are not unique to it and the disease's relative rarity, cases of mesothelioma misdiagnosed are not uncommon. A review of the patient's medical history is an important part in assessing the risk of mesothelioma.
Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma are not necessarily unique to the disease, so diagnosing peritoneal mesothelioma requires more than an observation of symptoms. Most symptoms associated with abdominal mesothelioma accompany other, often less serious, medical conditions. Most peritoneal mesothelioma diagnoses are made when the malignancy is in an advantage stage and diagnosis, alone, takes on average four month.
Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma (mesothelioma of the abdominal lining which is known as the peritoneum) may include, but are not limited to, the following:
