Malignant Mesothelioma
Malignant mesothelioma is a form of rare cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. The disease attacks the mesothelium, which is a thin double-layer membrane lining that surrounds the body’s internal organs such as the lungs, heart, chest and the abdomen. Mesothelioma that affects the chest is called pleural mesothelioma, while mesothelioma that affects the abdomen and the heart are called peritoneal mesothelioma and pericardial mesothelioma, respectively.
About 75% of mesothelioma cases have been found to start in the chest and lungs, making it the most common form of the disease, followed by 10 to 20% cases of mesothelioma affecting the abdomen. A rare mesothelioma called the tunica vaginalis, or testicular, has also been diagnosed; it affects the reproductive organs of male patients.
asbestosCauses of Mesothelioma
Malignant mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos. Asbestos particles that are swallowed or inhaled into the respiratory system of the patient can potentially cause aggravation and growth of cancerous cells on the membrane surface.
Symptoms of Mesothelioma
Normal symptoms and signs associated with mesothelioma are coughing, fatigue, pain in the chest wall, side, back or abdomen, weight loss, accumulation of fluid in the abdomen, shortness of breath and coughing up blood. As these symptoms are similar to other ailments, they are often ignored initially until the condition becomes more serious. Typically, it takes between two to three months after symptoms are experienced before malignant mesothelioma is diagnosed.
Malignant mesothelioma is a form of rare cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. The disease attacks the mesothelium, which is a thin double-layer membrane lining that surrounds the body’s internal organs such as the lungs, heart, chest and the abdomen. Mesothelioma that affects the chest is called pleural mesothelioma, while mesothelioma that affects the abdomen and the heart are called peritoneal mesothelioma and pericardial mesothelioma, respectively.
About 75% of mesothelioma cases have been found to start in the chest and lungs, making it the most common form of the disease, followed by 10 to 20% cases of mesothelioma affecting the abdomen. A rare mesothelioma called the tunica vaginalis, or testicular, has also been diagnosed; it affects the reproductive organs of male patients.
asbestosCauses of Mesothelioma
Malignant mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos. Asbestos particles that are swallowed or inhaled into the respiratory system of the patient can potentially cause aggravation and growth of cancerous cells on the membrane surface.
Symptoms of Mesothelioma
Normal symptoms and signs associated with mesothelioma are coughing, fatigue, pain in the chest wall, side, back or abdomen, weight loss, accumulation of fluid in the abdomen, shortness of breath and coughing up blood. As these symptoms are similar to other ailments, they are often ignored initially until the condition becomes more serious. Typically, it takes between two to three months after symptoms are experienced before malignant mesothelioma is diagnosed.
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