Aside from patients and families, there are many people who search for mesothelioma information and now have questions we would like answered. Here are 10 of the most often asked questions with answers for anyone seeking mesothelioma information.
1.) What is the mesothelium?
The mesothelium is the membrane that completely covers and protects each of the internal organs of our body. This membrane is made up of two layers of cells, one layer surrounds the organ protected other forms a sac around it. The mesothelium produces lubricating fluid that is released between these layers, allowing the moving organs like the heart and lungs to glide easily against surrounding surfaces.
2.) What is mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that attacks your mesothelium membrane, and is caused by earlier exposure to asbestos dust. When mesothelioma strikes, cells of the mesothelium turn into abnormal and divide without control, and malignant cells develop inside mesothelium which can metastasize using their original site to interrupt and damage nearby tissues and organs in the body. Typically, mesothelioma will begin within the pleura or peritoneum the abdominal cavity or lungs.
3.) How common is mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a relatively rare type of cancer, even though reported occurrence figures show a steady increase in the past 20 years or so. Each year approximately 2,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in america alone. Mesothelioma affects men more so than women and the risk increases with age group, but mesothelioma can appear in either sex and at any age.
4.) What are the causes of mesothelioma?
At least 90% of mesotheliomas is usually linked to exposure to asbestos, although usually the exposure may have taken place many years before the cancer becomes apparent. It is known that even small levels of exposure to asbestos can result in the development of mesothelioma, so it is possible that some patients won't have had any identified contact with asbestos however may still have breathed within asbestos fibres without realizing it. Exposure to certain chemicals and radiation has additionally been linked to mesothelioma, and a small number of mesotheliomas have been linked to a kind of radiation called thorium dioxide(thorotast). This was used in most x-rays up until the 1950's. There is no proof linking mesotheliomas with cigarette smoking.
5.) How is mesothelioma diagnosed?
The symptoms of mesothelioma are often difficult to diagnose being very similar to the symptoms displayed within other conditions including asbestosis. The diagnosis of mesothelioma requires a review of the patient's health background, including past history of asbestos exposure. A complete physical examination will be performed and x-rays in the chest and abdomen provided. A CT scan or MRI may prove useful in your diagnosis of mesothelioma.
6.) Can mesothelioma be treated?
Treatment for mesothelioma varies based on the location of your cancer, to what extent the mesothelioma has developed, and the patient's age group and general condition. The options for mesothelioma treatment include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.
7.) Is there a cure for mesothelioma?
The only treatment offering any hope of a cure for mesothelioma is an operation to eliminate the tumour surgically. Unfortunately because mesothelioma is actually so difficult to identify, it is often too far advanced for surgery to become carried out safely.
8.) Are there new treatments available for mesothelioma?
The National Cancer Institute is currently sponsoring clinical trials in an effort to discover new treatments for mesothelioma in addition to improvement of the method current mesothelioma treatments are generally implemented. Before any new mesothelioma treatment could be recommended for general employ, extensive clinical trials needs to be carried out to demonstrate the mesothelioma treatment is safe for patients and will prove effective against the disease. Participation in these clinical trials claims to be an important treatment option for a lot of patients suffering from the results of mesothelioma.
9.) What is the life expectancy for those diagnosed with mesothelioma?
The life expectancy for patients diagnosed with mesothelioma can vary depending on the kind of cancer, where the tumor is actually, how far it has spread and the age and general health in the patient. Studies show average survival periods of between 8 and 14 months but it isn't uncommon for patients to live for some years following diagnosis in the condition.
10.) So what is asbestosis?
Asbestosis is a non-cancerous chronic and potentially lethal inflammatory disease affecting the lungs, and is caused by exposure to asbestos. Asbestosis can cause long term lung damage, increased risk of harmfull lung infections, and heart failure.
So those are the most often asked questions through those seeking mesothelioma information, and it is hoped the above answers have enlightened you.
1.) What is the mesothelium?
The mesothelium is the membrane that completely covers and protects each of the internal organs of our body. This membrane is made up of two layers of cells, one layer surrounds the organ protected other forms a sac around it. The mesothelium produces lubricating fluid that is released between these layers, allowing the moving organs like the heart and lungs to glide easily against surrounding surfaces.
2.) What is mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that attacks your mesothelium membrane, and is caused by earlier exposure to asbestos dust. When mesothelioma strikes, cells of the mesothelium turn into abnormal and divide without control, and malignant cells develop inside mesothelium which can metastasize using their original site to interrupt and damage nearby tissues and organs in the body. Typically, mesothelioma will begin within the pleura or peritoneum the abdominal cavity or lungs.
3.) How common is mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a relatively rare type of cancer, even though reported occurrence figures show a steady increase in the past 20 years or so. Each year approximately 2,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in america alone. Mesothelioma affects men more so than women and the risk increases with age group, but mesothelioma can appear in either sex and at any age.
4.) What are the causes of mesothelioma?
At least 90% of mesotheliomas is usually linked to exposure to asbestos, although usually the exposure may have taken place many years before the cancer becomes apparent. It is known that even small levels of exposure to asbestos can result in the development of mesothelioma, so it is possible that some patients won't have had any identified contact with asbestos however may still have breathed within asbestos fibres without realizing it. Exposure to certain chemicals and radiation has additionally been linked to mesothelioma, and a small number of mesotheliomas have been linked to a kind of radiation called thorium dioxide(thorotast). This was used in most x-rays up until the 1950's. There is no proof linking mesotheliomas with cigarette smoking.
5.) How is mesothelioma diagnosed?
The symptoms of mesothelioma are often difficult to diagnose being very similar to the symptoms displayed within other conditions including asbestosis. The diagnosis of mesothelioma requires a review of the patient's health background, including past history of asbestos exposure. A complete physical examination will be performed and x-rays in the chest and abdomen provided. A CT scan or MRI may prove useful in your diagnosis of mesothelioma.
6.) Can mesothelioma be treated?
Treatment for mesothelioma varies based on the location of your cancer, to what extent the mesothelioma has developed, and the patient's age group and general condition. The options for mesothelioma treatment include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.
7.) Is there a cure for mesothelioma?
The only treatment offering any hope of a cure for mesothelioma is an operation to eliminate the tumour surgically. Unfortunately because mesothelioma is actually so difficult to identify, it is often too far advanced for surgery to become carried out safely.
8.) Are there new treatments available for mesothelioma?
The National Cancer Institute is currently sponsoring clinical trials in an effort to discover new treatments for mesothelioma in addition to improvement of the method current mesothelioma treatments are generally implemented. Before any new mesothelioma treatment could be recommended for general employ, extensive clinical trials needs to be carried out to demonstrate the mesothelioma treatment is safe for patients and will prove effective against the disease. Participation in these clinical trials claims to be an important treatment option for a lot of patients suffering from the results of mesothelioma.
9.) What is the life expectancy for those diagnosed with mesothelioma?The life expectancy for patients diagnosed with mesothelioma can vary depending on the kind of cancer, where the tumor is actually, how far it has spread and the age and general health in the patient. Studies show average survival periods of between 8 and 14 months but it isn't uncommon for patients to live for some years following diagnosis in the condition.
10.) So what is asbestosis?
Asbestosis is a non-cancerous chronic and potentially lethal inflammatory disease affecting the lungs, and is caused by exposure to asbestos. Asbestosis can cause long term lung damage, increased risk of harmfull lung infections, and heart failure.
So those are the most often asked questions through those seeking mesothelioma information, and it is hoped the above answers have enlightened you.
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