Mesothelioma. The things that we need to know about this illness. Treatment, causes, and groups of help.

In order to start we should know that it’s a type of cancer that locates itself in the tissues that cover the lungs and other organs called mesothelio. It usually starts near the lungs zone and because of great exposure to the asbestos. It’s not the most common form of cancer but it’s serious. The treatment includes chemotherapy, surgery, radiation or combinations of this option.

It’s important to know that the illness may show itself after a long time of the exposure, near 30 or 50 years. So the key is to have medical revisions frequently when working near these substances.

Men are the most affected by this kind of cancer. This is related to the fact that in a lot of works, considered to be masculine, the possibility of inhalation of asbestos particles is bigger.

Most of the patients had been diagnosed Mesothelioma since 60 years and on.

The latency period of this cancer ranges between 15 and 60 years.

The most dangerous aspect of the Mesothelioma is the speed in which it moves. Being able to attack other nearby areas at great speed. The fight against this illness is not impossible but it requires sacrifice and strength to endure.

Pleural Mesothelioma attacks the lining surrounding the lungs. The function of the pleura is to produce small amounts of a liquid that helps the lungs to work properly. The symptoms of this cancer are related to the respiratory system and include pain in the rib cage, chest pain, coughing up blood, muscular weakness and respiratory difficulties.

The peritoneal Mesothelioma attacks the abdominal zone of our bodies. One way to discover this kind of cancer is because of the excessive amount of fluid in the abdomen.

This is called ascites. With a correct analysis of this fluid the Mesothelioma could be detected. The symptoms of this cancer include nausea, vomiting, weight loss and stomach pain.

The cause of this unusual form of cancer is the long time exposure to asbestos’s fibers. The asbestos is a mineral used commercially in a variety of ways. Because of that fact a lot of people has been exposed to the threat. Not only the ones working with asbestos but near the places. Because the fibers are transported by air and may get into the systems of anybody.

The forms of treatment for Mesothelioma.

The surgery it’s only available in individual cases. It all depends on how early the tumor is discovered, the location and the health of the patient. It can help to slow down the tumor progression or even to help find a cure. It all depends in each case. There are some early tumors that can’t be operated because of the location. The best way is to combine different forms of treatment in order to get a better result. As in other types of cancer the chemotherapy and radiation are the ways of slowing down the advance of the cancer. When used in correct ways a surgery and the radiation may kill all the cancer cells. The patient must endure the after effects of the treatment but keeping alive is the objective so giving up should not be an option. There is also a “palliative therapies” that must be done with all the patients. The fear and weakness is common in this situations and speaking up with people who share the same situation is a good way of not feeling alone. Even talking with relatives and friends and being able to speak up the pain. Bottling up the words is just a way of creating more sadness.

Another thing to do is to help in the research of this unusual illness. By taking part in clinical studies where researchers and doctors are also giving their best in order to find less painful ways to treat and definitively defeat this cancer.

The last part of this article I will use it to speak about ways of finding this illness and the differences that it has with common Lung Cancer (another form of cancer, also terrible but not caused by the same agents).

A thorax radiography may be the first key to find a Mesothelioma. The position of the tumor or the pleural situation. These are very important in order to discover the kind of cancer. A thorax tomography may have the same results as the machine is a bit more complex and uses X rays too.

An analysis of pleural liquid. Called cytology. Where the researchers and doctors try to identify the cancer cells and characteristics.

A more invasive way of doing it, but also with a high percentage of correct diagnosis, is a biopsy (the extraction of a piece of tissue).

It`s important not to be confused. Lung cancer and Mesothelioma are not the same illness. The Lung Cancer is a tumor that forms in the tissue of the lungs. While the Mesothelioma is found around the linings that cover the lungs.

Also the principal cause of Lung Cancer is smoking but it has no inference in the formation of Mesothelioma. As an example. A person who smokes a lot and is in contact with asbestos has more chances of getting Lung Cancer. But just for smoking is not going to form a Mesothelioma tumor.

Even though they are two different and dangerous illness.

I hope that this review of causes and tips about Mesothelioma could be of help.

I haven´t known too much people with cancer. But as we all know it`s hard and difficult. Sometimes it seems easier to just give up. But in the fight and feelings of others it may be the key for a better way of enduring it. Nobody will blame an ill person of wanting to end it. But it`s good to give the best effort.

See you next time.

Juan Martínez