Mesothelioma - What is Malignant Mesothelioma Cancer

Mesothelioma - What is Malignant Mesothelioma Cancer

Has a website shofha tube Mesothelioma should provide information about mesothelioma cancer alliance

Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is an aggressive, malignant cancer caused when inhaled asbestos fibers lodge in the lining of the lungs (pleural), abdomen (peritoneal) or heart (pericardial). The American Cancer Society records about 3,000 new cases of mesothelioma each year in the U.S.

Causes :

Exposure to asbestos is the main cause of the cancer.

Mesothelioma develops when a person ingests asbestos, and it causes changes to a person’s DNA.

Our genes, which are made of DNA, control how cells grow, multiply and die. Changes in our genes may cause cells to divide out of control and may lead to cancer.

Development of Mesothelioma

1. A person inhales or swallows airborne asbestos fibers.

   

   Malignant Mesothelioma in the Right Lung

2. The asbestos fibers become lodged in the lining of the lungs, abdomen or heart.
3. The embedded fibers damage the mesothelial cells and cause inflammation.
4. Over time, tumors begin to form on the damaged mesothelium, which is the lining of the abdomen, lung, heart and testes.

Tumors also can be benign (noncancerous). But when tumors are cancerous, doctors call the disease malignant mesothelioma. It is often shortened to mesothelioma.

Symptoms

Common mesothelioma symptoms include:

• Dry coughing
• Shortness of breath
• Respiratory complications
• Pain in the chest or abdomen
• Fever or night sweats
• Pleural effusion (fluid around the lungs)
• Fatigue
• Weakness in the muscles

These mesothelioma symptoms usually do not show until tumors have grown and spread. Mesothelioma latency is 20-50 years. That’s how long it takes from initial exposure to accurate diagnosis. For that reason, many people with mesothelioma are in their 60s or 70s.

You should talk to a mesothelioma specialist soon if you have a history of asbestos exposure and experience these symptoms. An early mesothelioma diagnosis may improve your prognosis and life expectancy.

Testicular Mesothelioma

إضافة شرح

• Rarest type

• Develops on the lining of the testes

• Responds best to surgery

Pericardial Mesothelioma

Pericardial Mesothelioma

• Second-rarest type

• Forms on soft tissue around the heart

• Best treated with a multimodal approach

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

• Less than 20 percent of all cases

• Develops on lining surrounding the abdomen

• Responds best to a combination of surgery and heated chemotherapy

Pleural Mesothelioma

• Most common type .

• Forms on soft tissue covering the lungs .

• Best treated with a multimodal approach .

Who Is Most at Risk of Mesothelioma?

Veterans

Asbestos use in the military was widespread from 1940 to 1980. Veterans from all branches of the U.S. armed forces were at risk of exposure. Navy veterans are most at risk. This branch used the largest quantity of asbestos products.

Occupational Exposure

More than 75 occupations have exposed workers to asbestos. Auto mechanics, textile workers, steel mill workers, construction workers and firefighters are among the most at risk.

Secondary Exposure

Asbestos workers unknowingly carried asbestos fibers on their body and clothing. This resulted in secondary asbestos exposure among residents such as women and children.

Prognosis

Source: Cancer.org

The factors that most affect prognosis are stage and cell type. But age, gender and exposure history also affect outlook.

For example, younger patients and women have a better mesothelioma prognosis than older men. People diagnosed with the peritoneal mesothelioma type also have a higher chance of survival. The life expectancy for most patients is about 12 months after diagnosis.

Those who can undergo multimodal therapy, which is a combination of two or more treatments, have an improved prognosis.

Patients can improve prognosis by eating a nutrient-rich diet, undergoing cancer treatments and staying healthy.

Cell types and their role in prognosis and life expectancy:

Epithelioid

These cells are the most responsive to treatment, which improves prognosis and life expectancy. They comprise 50 percent of mesothelioma diagnoses.

Sarcomatoid

These cells are the least responsive to treatment. Patients with this cell type have a poorer prognosis and shorter life expectancy. These cells comprise 10 percent of diagnoses.

Biphasic

A combination of epithelioid and sarcomatoid cells. This type is less responsive to treatment. But prognosis and life expectancy depends on the ratio of both types of cells. This type accounts for 30-40 percent of diagnoses.

The Four Stages of Mesothelioma

Stages 1  of Mesothelioma

The cancer is localized. Surgery is most effective at this stage.

 Survival rate is higher.

 Median life expectancy at stage 1 is 22.2 months.

Stages 2  of Mesothelioma

Tumors have started to spread from the original location into adjacent structures.

 Surgery is still an option.

Median life expectancy at stage 2 is 20 months.

Stages 3  of Mesothelioma

Cancer has progressed to a more advanced stage with spread into the regional lymph nodes.

 Surgery may still be an option. 

Median life expectancy at stage 3 is 17.9 months.

Stages 4  of Mesothelioma

what is stage 4 mesothelioma

Cancer has spread extensively in the area where it developed.

 Chemotherapy and immunotherapy control symptoms and prolong survival.

 Median life expectancy at stage 4 is 14.9 months or less.

Importance of Finding a Mesothelioma Specialist

Mesothelioma is a rare cancer. It represents only 0.3 percent of all cancer diagnoses. Most doctors and oncologists have never encountered it.

A 2009 study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine states that cancer care “requires the technical knowledge and skills of specialty physicians such as medical oncologists, surgeons and radiation oncologists.”

Specialty cancer doctors establish:

Possible use of chemotherapy

Goals for treatment and prognosis

First type of treatment

Possible participation in clinical trials

These are factors that impact a mesothelioma patient’s survival. That’s why finding a mesothelioma specialist is so important.

Finding a mesothelioma specialty center with experienced mesothelioma doctors is crucial to survival.

Financial Compensation

Most mesothelioma lawsuits do not end up going to trial and resolve in settlements well before the set trial date. As options to settle emerge, your law firm should discuss the strengths and weaknesses of accepting a settlement with you. If you choose to not settle, you can move forward with the lawsuit and seek a trial resolution.

top mesothelioma lawyer firms will value your input, respect your rights and allow you to decide what is in your best legal interest. If you decide to pursue trial, your mesothelioma lawyer will be well-equipped, experienced, qualified and prepared to fight for your financial compensation.