Mesothelioma is becoming more common in international news stories, yet the diagnosis of this rare form of cancer is difficult and still rather uncommon. Mesothelioma has gained attention in news stories in part due to lawsuits on behalf of those exposed to asbestos, as the disease is caused by exposure to this material.
Mesothelioma Causes
Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos, a chemical compound formerly used in numerous consumer goods and buildings because of its insulative and fire-resistant properties. Chrysotile is the most common form of asbestos in the United States. Asbestos was commonly used in items such as brake pads, drywall, plaster, roofing materials, caulk, fire-resistant clothing worn by fire fighters, and even dental cast linings.
Asbestos has not actually been banned for use in the United States, though the Environmental Protection Agency has forbidden many applications of the product. Trace amounts of asbestos are still used in consumer goods. The United Kingdom introduced the Control of Asbestos Regulations in 2006 to minimize the use or disturbance of asbestos in workplaces. France banned the use of asbestos in 1997. Japan did not fully ban the use of asbestos until 2004.
Asbestos causes mesothelioma via exposure to the dust. When one breathes in the dust, the long fibers of the material collect in the lungs. Exposure to asbestos, resulting in mesothelioma, can be as little as one to three months. Asbestos is a naturally occurring chemical compound which is mined. Places where asbestos is naturally occurring have shown higher incidences of this cancer. Those working in mines or with asbestos, along with family members of those who have been exposed, run the risk of developing this disease.
Typically mesothelioma does not develop until years, even decades, after exposure to asbestos. Usually the time from exposure to onset of the cancer is at least 15 years, with a peak of 30 to 40 years.
Mesothelioma Symptoms
Symptoms of mesothelioma can be similar to symptoms of other cancers or diseases. This is one reason why this disease can be difficult to diagnose.
Typical symptoms can include:
- shortness of breath
- chest pain
- fatigue
- wheezing or coughing
- weight loss
The most common site of mesothelioma is on the outer lining of the lungs, where tumors develop. This rare cancer can spread to other organs but typically does not spread to the adrenal glands, bone, or brain.
Mesothelioma Treatment
Treatment for mesothelioma depends upon what stage the cancer is diagnosed. Those with early stages of the disease who can undergo surgery have the tumors removed surgically followed by radiation. Typical survival rates after successful surgery and radiation average five years.
Chemotherapy is a treatment used when the patient cannot undergo surgery. This treatment has shown to increase life expectancy about one year.
Surgery alone has not yielded great results, but a combination of surgery along with radiation or chemotherapy, or all three regimens, has shown to increase life expectancy.
While the prognosis of survival with mesothelioma is dim for now, medical technology is ever-evolving toward better treatment prospects. The chance of contracting this disease is about one in 1,000,000 worldwide. While chances are slim, contracting this terrible disease is not something to be taken lightly.
Sources:
www.mesothelioma.com, accessed May 19, 2010
www.cancer.gov, "Mesothelioma: Questions and Answers", accessed May 19, 2010
Elizabeth Rose - Elizabeth Rose has been publishing online content since October 2008 and has written for various websites, including eHow.com, ...
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