Mesothelioma cancer affects the serous membranes that surround the major organs in the midsection of the body. Different organs can be affected by mesothelioma because the serous membranes surround the lungs, heart, abdomen and others. The most common type of mesothelioma is that which affects the lung lining, and is called pleural mesothelioma. Other types are pericardial mesothelioma, which affects the lining of the heart, and peritoneal mesothelioma, affecting the lining of the abdomen.
Mesothelioma, contrary to what many people think, is not a type of primary lung cancer. That is, mesothelioma does not originate in the lungs, but as described above, it starts in the serous membranes or lining around the lungs (or other organs). However, mesothelioma can spread to the lungs and when this occurs, it is considered to be a secondary lung cancer. Mesothelioma is also commonly referred to as an asbestos lung cancer. Technically, this is also incorrect, since mesothelioma does not originate in the lungs. Asbestosis is a type of asbestos lung disease that is often confused with mesothelioma.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma represents about 75% of all mesotheliomas. The disease can grow quickly and enlarge the pleural space, causing it to fill with fluid. This fluid leads to the discomfort or pain associated with first detection of the disease. It is thought that pleural mesothelioma is caused by the inhaling of fibrous materials, including asbestos. These fibers become lodged in the pleura and, over time, cause damage that can lead to cancer. Learn more about pleural mesothelioma.
Pericardial Mesothelioma
The rarest form of mesothelioma is that which affects the linings of the heart cavity, called the pericardium. Less than 10% of all mesothelioma cases are related to the heart. As in the lung, the rapid growth of the cancerous tumors can cause expansion of the tissue and accumulation of fluid. The fluid can interfere with the functioning of the heart and cause chest pain. Mesothelioma cases are known to be caused by exposure to asbestos; but it is completely unknown how the asbestos fibers enter the tissue layers surrounding the heart. Learn more about pericardial mesothelioma.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma of the abdomen is called peritoneal mesothelioma. The serous membrane surrounding the abdomen is known as the peritoneum. This disease accounts for approximately 10% to 20% of mesothelioma cases. In addition, a rare form of peritoneal mesothelioma affects the male testicles. The covering layer of the scrotum is actually an outpouching of the peritoneum. Peritoneal mesothelioma is due to the ingestion of fibrous materials, including asbestos.
article source:www.allaboutmalignantmesothelioma.com
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Asbestosis
Asbestosis is a disease in which asbestos fibers cause scarring of the lungs; however, it is not a type of lung cancer. This disease occurs because asbestos fibers are tiny, yet durable; when they are inhaled, the lungs' natural filtration system is unable to eliminate them from the air. As a result, asbestos is able to enter the very sterile inner reaches of the lung cavities. When asbestos fibers become lodged in the interstitium — the area surrounding the lungs' air sacs (alveoli) — the lungs become inflamed, which eventually leads to scarring. The timeline between the moment asbestos enters the lungs and the eventual onset of scarring can be as long as 10 years. Eventually, if enough scarring occurs in the lungs, it will be classified as fibrosis. Asbestosis is fibrosis that forms in the interstitium.
Fibrosis is defined as the development of excess fibrous connective tissue in an organ. This connective tissue cripples the areas of the lungs that it invades. Thus, when it spreads across large areas of the lungs over time, the lungs lose their ability to function properly. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, the total timeline between exposure to asbestos and the development of large areas of fibrosis can be as long as 30 or 40 years.
Asbestosis is normally detected with an x-ray showing the large fibrous growths in the lungs. Oftentimes, the initial symptom is difficulty breathing, which may be caused by the fibrous tissue that has formed, or by a pleural effusion (buildup of fluid) caused by the asbestosis. There is no cure for asbestosis, and eventually the fibrous tissue can spread throughout the lungs and make it impossible to breath. A common cause of death related to asbestosis is congestive heart failure, in which the heart becomes overworked in its attempt to push enough blood through the lungs to carry sufficient oxygen to the rest of the body.
article source:www.allaboutmalignantmesothelioma.com
Fibrosis is defined as the development of excess fibrous connective tissue in an organ. This connective tissue cripples the areas of the lungs that it invades. Thus, when it spreads across large areas of the lungs over time, the lungs lose their ability to function properly. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, the total timeline between exposure to asbestos and the development of large areas of fibrosis can be as long as 30 or 40 years.
Asbestosis is normally detected with an x-ray showing the large fibrous growths in the lungs. Oftentimes, the initial symptom is difficulty breathing, which may be caused by the fibrous tissue that has formed, or by a pleural effusion (buildup of fluid) caused by the asbestosis. There is no cure for asbestosis, and eventually the fibrous tissue can spread throughout the lungs and make it impossible to breath. A common cause of death related to asbestosis is congestive heart failure, in which the heart becomes overworked in its attempt to push enough blood through the lungs to carry sufficient oxygen to the rest of the body.
article source:www.allaboutmalignantmesothelioma.com
Asbestos lung cancer
Asbestos lung cancer is a group of diseases related to asbestos exposure. While the term itself is technically incorrect — only one of the diseases belonging to this group (asbestosis) originates in the lungs (and it is not a form of cancer) — it serves as a way of classifying asbestos-related diseases that affect the lungs.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that has been mined, processed, and used for more than 6,000 years. The two most common diseases related to asbestos lung cancer are asbestosis and mesothelioma, with pleural mesothelioma being the most common form of mesothelioma. Both mesothelioma and asbestosis are associated with the inhalation of asbestos and subsequent inflammation caused by the lodging of asbestos in the lungs.
Mesothelioma
Malignant mesothelioma is a rare type of asbestos lung cancer that results from asbestos becoming lodged in the lining of the lung. However, unlike asbestosis, which originates in the lungs, mesothelioma occurs in the serous lining, which is the lining surrounding the outside of the lungs. Another thing that distinguishes mesothelioma from asbestosis is that it leads to the growth of tumors that are malignant (asbestosis leads to the growth of scar tissue, which is benign). This means that the growths in the lungs' serous membranes related to mesothelioma are cancerous, can grow rapidly and can spread to other organs. Asbestosis, on the other hand, does not spread to other organs. When cancer tumors grow and then spread to other organs, this is called metastasis.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma can affect several different organs in the body, not just the lungs. When mesothelioma occurs in the lungs, it is called pleural mesothelioma; when it occurs in the heart lining it is called pericardial mesothelioma; and when it occurs in the abdomen it is called peritoneal mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure is thought to be the primary cause of all three types of mesothelioma.
The timeline between asbestos exposure and the onset of pleural mesothelioma is very long (30 to 40 years). Pleural mesothelioma can be detected by x-rays, but the diagnosis of pleural mesothelioma has to be confirmed with a biopsy. The treatments for pleural mesothelioma are similar to other cancers. They include chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgical removal of the cancerous tissues. However, it is important to note that different types of cancers respond differently to different types of treatments. As a result, a patient's treatment plan is based on his or her individual case. Unfortunately, the disease is very aggressive, and most treatments do not slow its progression. The life expectancy of those diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma is less than a year.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that has been mined, processed, and used for more than 6,000 years. The two most common diseases related to asbestos lung cancer are asbestosis and mesothelioma, with pleural mesothelioma being the most common form of mesothelioma. Both mesothelioma and asbestosis are associated with the inhalation of asbestos and subsequent inflammation caused by the lodging of asbestos in the lungs.
Mesothelioma
Malignant mesothelioma is a rare type of asbestos lung cancer that results from asbestos becoming lodged in the lining of the lung. However, unlike asbestosis, which originates in the lungs, mesothelioma occurs in the serous lining, which is the lining surrounding the outside of the lungs. Another thing that distinguishes mesothelioma from asbestosis is that it leads to the growth of tumors that are malignant (asbestosis leads to the growth of scar tissue, which is benign). This means that the growths in the lungs' serous membranes related to mesothelioma are cancerous, can grow rapidly and can spread to other organs. Asbestosis, on the other hand, does not spread to other organs. When cancer tumors grow and then spread to other organs, this is called metastasis.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma can affect several different organs in the body, not just the lungs. When mesothelioma occurs in the lungs, it is called pleural mesothelioma; when it occurs in the heart lining it is called pericardial mesothelioma; and when it occurs in the abdomen it is called peritoneal mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure is thought to be the primary cause of all three types of mesothelioma.
The timeline between asbestos exposure and the onset of pleural mesothelioma is very long (30 to 40 years). Pleural mesothelioma can be detected by x-rays, but the diagnosis of pleural mesothelioma has to be confirmed with a biopsy. The treatments for pleural mesothelioma are similar to other cancers. They include chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgical removal of the cancerous tissues. However, it is important to note that different types of cancers respond differently to different types of treatments. As a result, a patient's treatment plan is based on his or her individual case. Unfortunately, the disease is very aggressive, and most treatments do not slow its progression. The life expectancy of those diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma is less than a year.
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