SYMPTOMS / TREATMENT
Mesothelioma (or,
more precisely, malignant mesothelioma) is a rare form of cancer
that develops from transformed cells originating in the mesothelium,
the protective lining that covers many of the internal organs of the
body. It is usually caused by exposure to asbestos.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesothelioma
Symptoms
Symptoms or signs of mesothelioma may not appear until 20 to 50
years (or more) after exposure to asbestos. Shortness of breath,
cough, and pain in the chest due to an accumulation of fluid in the
pleural space (pleural effusion) are often symptoms of pleural
mesothelioma.
Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include weight loss and cachexia,
abdominal swelling and pain due to ascites (a buildup of fluid in
the abdominal cavity). Other symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma may
include bowel obstruction, blood clotting abnormalities, anemia, and
fever. If the cancer has spread beyond the mesothelium to other
parts of the body, symptoms may include pain, trouble swallowing, or
swelling of the neck or face.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesothelioma#Signs_and_symptoms
Treatment
The prognosis for malignant mesothelioma remains disappointing,
although there have been some modest improvements in prognosis from
newer chemotherapies and multimodality treatments.[29] Treatment of
malignant mesothelioma at earlier stages has a better prognosis, but
cures are exceedingly rare. Clinical behavior of the malignancy is
affected by several factors including the continuous mesothelial
surface of the pleural cavity which favors local metastasis via
exfoliated cells, invasion to underlying tissue and other organs
within the pleural cavity, and the extremely long latency period
between asbestos exposure and development of the disease. The
histological subtype and the patient's age and health status also
help predict prognosis.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesothelioma#Treatment
Mesothelium: The mesothelium is a membrane that forms the
lining of several body cavities: the pleura (thoracic cavity),
peritoneum (abdominal cavity including the mesentery) and
pericardium (heart sac). Mesothelial tissue also surrounds the male
internal reproductive organs (the tunica vaginalis testis) and
covers the internal reproductive organs of women (the tunica serosa
uteri). Mesothelium that covers the internal organs is called
visceral mesothelium, while the layer that covers the body walls is
called the parietal mesothelium.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesothelium
Asbestos
Asbestos is a set of six naturally occurring silicate minerals used
commercially for their desirable physical properties.[1] They all
have in common their eponymous, asbestiform habit: long (ca. 1:20
aspect ratio), thin fibrous crystals. The prolonged inhalation of
asbestos fibers can cause serious illnesses[2] including malignant
lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis (a type of
pneumoconiosis).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asbestos
Asbestosis is a chronic inflammatory and fibrotic medical
condition affecting the parenchymal tissue of the lungs caused by
the inhalation and retention of asbestos fibers. It usually occurs
after high intensity and/or long-term exposure to asbestos
(particularly in those individuals working on the production or
end-use of products containing asbestos) and is therefore regarded
as an occupational lung disease.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asbestosis
Signs and Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of asbestosis do not manifest until after an
appreciable latency (time since first exposure), often several
decades under current conditions in the US.[3] The primary symptom
of asbestosis is generally the slow onset of dyspnea, especially on
exertion.[4] Clinically advanced cases of asbestosis may lead to
respiratory failure. On auscultation of the lungs, the physician may
hear inspiratory rales.
Treatment
There is no curative treatment for asbestosis. Oxygen therapy at
home is often necessary to relieve the shortness of breath and
correct underlying hypoxia. Supportive treatment of symptoms
includes respiratory physiotherapy to remove secretions from the
lungs by postural drainage, chest percussion, and vibration.
Nebulized medications may be prescribed in order to loosen
secretions or treat underlying Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary
Disease. Immunization against pneumococcal pneumonia and annual
influenza vaccination is administered due to increased sensitivity
to the diseases.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asbestosis
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