What is asbestos lung mesothelioma?

Asbestos lung mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is very rare, which affects the mesothelial cells of the body. Mesothelium refers to the cells lining the body’s cavities, such as the pleura, which lines the lungs, the peritoneum which lines the abdominal cavity and the pericardium which lines the heart. These cells can grow abnormally, resulting in a tumor, which can be cancerous or non-cancerous.

There are four types of malignant mesothelioma, all of which tend to be fatal if not diagnosed and treated early enough. Pleural mesothelioma is commonly known as lung mesothelioma, and is the most common type, as well as the most deadly.

What causes asbestos lung mesothelioma?

The main cause of asbestos lung mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos, a mineral which is used mainly in industrial products such as cement, flooring and roofing products, insulation and textiles. Therefore those who work in these environments could inhale or swallow invisible asbestos dust or particles, which then can travel to the mesothelium of the lungs, which is most common, resulting in this disease.

Zeolite, which is a mineral that is similar to asbestos, is commonly found in the soil in certain countries, and has also been linked to mesothelioma.

While smoking is not directly associated with asbestos lung mesothelioma, a combination of asbestos and smoking has proven to increase the likelihood of developing pleural mesothelioma because the cells of the lung are damaged by smoking to begin with.

The symptoms of asbestos lung mesothelioma

Symptoms of asbestos lung mesothelioma do not actually present themselves until decades after the initial exposure to asbestos. But this doesn’t mean that the cancer hasn’t been inside the body developing and getting worse all this while. The symptoms usually stay for about four to six months, by which time the patient will have seen a doctor for a diagnosis.

The most common symptom of asbestos lung mesothelioma is dyspnea, which is difficulty in breathing. Combined with this, one might experience pain or discomfort in the chest. A consistent dry cough, fever, night sweats, fatigue and weight loss are all signs of mesothelioma. They are also common symptoms of other illnesses which aren’t as serious, so various tests will need to be carried out to rule them out and confirm a diagnosis of mesothelioma.

How is asbestos lung mesothelioma treated?

Like all cancers, early detection is the best way to ensure that you have chances for a relatively good prognosis. The location and size of the tumor determine how it is treated. Your age and general health, along with the stage of asbestos lung mesothelioma also factors into the treatment.

Surgery is used to remove the tumor, and chemotherapy and radiation therapy are also used to kill the cancerous cells. All these used in combination are thought to be the best treatment possible for asbestos lung mesothelioma. However, if the cancer is in its third or fourth stage, then surgery is usually not an option, and medication and radiation therapy might not be effective.

Rare diseases are always difficult to diagnose and treat, but research is being conducted in order to learn more about asbestos lung mesothelioma so that we may be able to one day combat it with more effective methods than current ones.