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Mesothelioma is a cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos. Malignant cells develop in the protective lining that covers the body's internal organs called the mesothelium. The most common site that mesothelioma affects is the outer lining of the lungs and chest cavity, called the pleura.
It can also occur in the abdominal cavity and the pericardium which is the sac that surrounds the heart, occasionally it also attacks the lining of the testis called the tunica vaginalis.
Most often people that have worked in asbestos related companies are at serious risk of developing the cancer. However the relatives of these workers can also develop the cancer especially if they come in contact and handle the working clothes of these workers. For example, a housewife who washes clothes of someone who works with asbestos can be exposed . Exposure to asbestos cement products can also occur when you are doing renovation works in your house.
Unfortunately the symptoms of mesothelioma can take 20 to 50 years to appear. Accumulation of fluid in the pleural space will lead to shortness of breath, coughing, and chest pains. This type of mesothelioma is called pleural mesothelioma. Abdominal mesothelioma presents with symptoms like weight loss, abdominal swelling and pain, bowel obstruction, blood clotting, anemia and fever.
There is no proven substantive way of determining who amongst the people that have been exposed to asbestos that will eventually develop mesothelioma yet, although recently approved Mesomark blood test is capable of early detection in some cases.
Diagnosis of mesothelioma is often difficult because the symptoms are common to some other common diseases. If you have a history of asbestos exposure, it's important to let your doctor know that so that when you present with these common unspecific symptoms your doctor will be able to quickly suspect that you have mesothelioma instead of searching for some other commoner diagnosis.
What are the early symptoms of lung mesothelioma cancer?
The main three main early symptoms of this cancer are:
1-Cough which may be accompanied with Haemoptysis which is the coughing up of blood stained sputum.
2-Pain during breathing and coughing known as pleurisy
3-Shortness of breath
Because these early symptoms also occur in many other lung diseases, a clinical suspicion of mesothelioma must always be confirmed by the use of imaging and tissue sampling tests known as biopsy. The use of these tests coupled with the taking of comprehensive medical history and thorough physical examination by the doctor is paramount to the early detection of the cancer. This early detection helps to improve the prognosis of the disease.
What are the late symptoms of Mesothelioma?
There are less common but more uncomfortable symptoms of lung cancer, which are usually associated with advanced stages of the disease. These include:
1-Weight loss
2-Excessive fatigue
3-Hoarse voice
4-Swelling of the face or in the neck
5-Pain or discomfort under the ribs
6-Difficult swallowing {dysphagia}
If you suspect that you or any of your family members have lung cancer symptoms do not delay, consult your physician right away.
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