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What Is Mesothelioma?

December 29th, 2008 by admin | Filed under Uncategorized.

Mesothelioma is a rare and deadly cancer that attacks three vital components of the human body. Mesothelioma damages the lining of the chest, abdominal cavity, and the heart. Unfortunately many cases of Mesothelioma are not diagnosed in the early stages of the disease because symptoms may remain latent for decades.

Another deadly aspect of Mesothelioma is the minimal exposure it takes to become infected with this disease. It only takes an average of one to two months of exposure to become afflicted.

Many cases of Mesothelioma are caused by asbestos, a mineral fiber that was used in the construction of buildings because of its highly effective insulation and flame resistant properties. The inhalation of these fibers is directly related to the diagnosis of Mesothelioma.

Signs and symptoms of the disease are shortness of breath, pain in the abdominal region and chest, swelling of the neck or face, and trouble swallowing. The dilemma is that these symptoms may be caused by less a severe issue such as a common cold or other ailments.

Treatments for whatismesothelioma.ca/ range from surgery to radiation to . None of these treatments seem to be highly effective in curing patients, but like other types of cancer, research is being done to try and find a treatment that will successfully heal Mesothelioma patients.

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What is Mesothelioma?

December 14th, 2008 by admin | Filed under Uncategorized.

Mesothelioma can either be malignant (cancerous) or benign (non-cancerous) in nature. Mesothelioma affects the mesothelium, hence . What is the mesothelium?

The mesothelium is a type of tissue lined with special cells referred to as mesothelial cells. The mesothelial cells typically line the abdominal cavity, heart cavity, chest cavity, and the outer surface of most internal organs. Each cavity has a specific name for the mesothelial covered cavity which is:

Peritoneum: abdominal cavity
Pleura: chest cavity
Pericardium: heart cavity

The mesothelium has a specific purpose in the body. The mesothelium produces a lubricating fluid that allows easy movement of the organs. The pleural mesothelium for example, allows the lungs to move easily with each breath that is taken. Without this, breathing would be a difficult and possibly painful process.

Many refer to malignant as simply, . There are three main types of malignant ranked from less likely to more commonly seen:

Sarcomatoid
Mixed/Biphasic
Epithelioid

Malignant more commonly begins in the chest cavity (pleural ). Approximately 10-20% of the cases of malignant will begin in the abdominal cavity (peritoneal ). Malignant rarely begins in the cavity surrounding the heart (pericardial ).

Malignant Mesothelioma Statistics:

Mesothelioma is a very rare cancer estimated to affect 2,000-3,000 newly diagnosed cases annually in the U.S. The United States reported an increased rate of from 1970 to 1990, which has currently stabilized and possibly decreased. However, European countries continue to see an increase in the rate of .

Mesothelioma is commonly seen in the ages 65 years and older but increases with age. Mesothelioma is 5 times more likely to affect men than women. Mesothelioma is more common in the Caucasian nationality than African American.

Mesothelioma is a very serious cancer. Symptoms commonly do not appear early which causes to be diagnosed at an advanced stage. For this reason, has a low survival rate that is about 1-2 years. However, cancer research is slowly changing this statistic. Learn more about what risk factors predispose you to .

Kristy is a mother and experienced nurse. She has a Bachelor in Biology and Chemistry and writes to inform individuals interested in vitaminmaniac.com/category/healthinformation/ health information.

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