What is Mesothelioma: Its Causes and Symptoms
Mesothelioma is a malignant disease that affects thousands of people every year, killing almost half of the patients. It occurs in various parts of the world, with Australia having the highest rates among the countries most affected.
So, what is mesothelioma? What causes it? What is it’s symptoms? Let’s find out from below.
Mesothelioma Cancer
Mesothelioma is an aggressive and dangerous type of cancer that happens in the thin layer of tissue surrounding the mesothelium - our internal organs. There are a few different types of mesothelioma that are categorized based on the area it affects. It occurs mainly in the tissue that surrounds the lungs, which is called pleural mesothelioma.
Sometimes it also occurs in the sac surrounding the heart, in the lining of the abdomen, or the testicles. This rarer form of mesothelioma is known as peritoneal mesothelioma.
Causes of Mesothelioma
The primary cause of this cancer is directly linked to exposure to asbestos. Unfortunately, by 2013, some 125million people were known to have been exposed to asbestos, mainly at work, raising the risk of getting affected by mesothelioma.
Other risk factors include genetics and infection with the simian virus 40. High rates of infection are found among people who either mined or worked with asbestos. The people who lived in their company are also at risk of suffering from mesothelioma.
While there are some treatments available in the form of surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and pleurodesis, most people affected by this cancer have less chance of a cure.
Symptoms of Mesothelioma
Some common symptoms for pleural mesothelioma include:
- Shortness of breath
- Chest Pain
- Painful Coughing
- Unreasonable weight loss
Peritoneal mesothelioma, on the other hand, causes abdominal pain and swelling, nausea, and also weight loss. The disease is often diagnosed with chest X-ray and CT scan findings.