Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer affecting the mesothelium,
which is a membrane that covers and protects most of the internal organs
of the body. In most cases, it begins in the pleura (the lining around
the lungs) or peritoneum (the lining around the abdomen). The cancer is
typically caused by asbestos exposure. A history of asbestos exposure at
work is reported in about 70 to 80 percent of all cases of the disease.
Standard treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation
therapy.
What Is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous)
tumor affecting the mesothelium, which is a membrane that covers most of
the body's internal organs. Most cases of mesothelioma begin in the
pleura (lining around the lungs) or peritoneum (the lining around the
abdomen).
Benign mesothelioma can also be called a
fibroma, and cancerous mesothelioma is also known as malignant
mesothelioma. A mesothelioma can further be named based on where it
occurs. For example, malignant pleural mesothelioma is cancer that
begins in the lining around the lungs.
Most people who develop malignant
mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles. A
benign mesothelioma does not appear to have any relationship to
asbestos exposure.
Understanding the Mesothelium
The mesothelium is a membrane that covers and protects most of the
internal organs of the body. It is composed of two layers of cells: one
layer immediately surrounds the organ; the other forms a sac around it.
The mesothelium produces a lubricating fluid that is released between
these layers, allowing moving organs (such as the beating heart and the
expanding and contracting lungs) to glide easily against adjacent
structures.
The mesothelium has different names, depending on its location in
the body. The peritoneum is the mesothelial tissue that covers most of
the organs in the abdominal cavity. The pleura is the membrane that
surrounds the lungs and lines the wall of the chest cavity, while the
pericardium covers and protects the heart. The mesothelial tissue
surrounding the male internal reproductive organs is called the tunica
vaginalis testis, and the tunica serosa uteri covers the internal
reproductive organs in women.
Risk Factors for Mesothelioma
Working with asbestos
is the major risk factor for mesothelioma. A history of asbestos
exposure at work is reported in about 70 to 80 percent of all cases.
However, mesothelioma has been reported in some individuals without any
known exposure to asbestos.
There is some evidence that family members and others living with
asbestos workers have an increased risk of developing mesothelioma, and
possibly other asbestos-related diseases. This risk may be the result of
exposure to asbestos dust brought home on the clothing and hair of
asbestos workers. To reduce the chance of exposing family members to
asbestos fibers, asbestos workers are usually required to shower and
change their clothing before leaving the workplace.
Smoking does not appear to increase the risk of mesothelioma.
However, the combination of smoking and asbestos exposure significantly
increases a person's risk of developing lung cancer (see Causes of Lung Cancer).
Asbestos is the name of a group of minerals that occur naturally as
masses of strong, flexible fibers that can be separated into thin
threads and woven. Asbestos has been mined and used commercially since
the late 1800s; its use greatly increased during World War II. Asbestos
has been widely used in many industrial products, including cement,
brake linings, roof shingles,
flooring products, textiles, and insulation. Since the early 1940s,
millions of American workers have been exposed to asbestos dust.
If tiny asbestos particles float in the air, especially during the
manufacturing process, they may be inhaled or swallowed and can cause
serious health problems. In addition to mesothelioma, exposure to
asbestos increases the risk of lung cancer, asbestosis (a noncancerous,
chronic lung ailment), and other cancers, such as those of the larynx
and kidney.
Initially, the risks associated with asbestos exposure were
unknown. However, an increased risk of developing mesothelioma was later
found among:
- Shipyard workers
- People who work in asbestos mines and mills
- Producers of asbestos products
- Workers in the heating and construction industries
- Other tradespeople.
Today, the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
sets limits for acceptable levels of asbestos exposure in the workplace.
People who work with asbestos wear personal protective equipment to
lower their risk of exposure.
The risk of asbestos-related disease increases with heavier
exposure to asbestos and longer exposure time. However, some individuals
with only brief exposures have developed mesothelioma. On the other
hand, not all workers who are heavily exposed develop asbestos-related
diseases.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
For more about mesothelioma symptoms, click on the full eMedTV article about Mesothelioma Symptoms.
To find out more about making a mesothelioma diagnosis, click on the full eMedTV article about Mesothelioma Diagnosis.
Treatment for mesothelioma depends on:
- The location of the cancer
- The stage of the disease
- The patient's age and general health.
Standard mesothelioma treatment options include:
- Surgery
- Radiation therapy
- Chemotherapy.
Sometimes, all three treatment methods are combined.
Statistics on Mesothelioma
Although reported incidence rates have increased in the past 20
years, mesothelioma is still a relatively rare cancer. About 2,000 new
cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in the United States each year.
Mesothelioma occurs more often in men than in women and risk increases
with age, but mesothelioma can appear in either men or women at any age.
Source : http://mesothelioma.emedtv.com/mesothelioma/mesothelioma.html
What Is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous)
tumor affecting the mesothelium, which is a membrane that covers most of
the body's internal organs. Most cases of mesothelioma begin in the
pleura (lining around the lungs) or peritoneum (the lining around the
abdomen).
Benign mesothelioma can also be called a
fibroma, and cancerous mesothelioma is also known as malignant
mesothelioma. A mesothelioma can further be named based on where it
occurs. For example, malignant pleural mesothelioma is cancer that
begins in the lining around the lungs.
Most people who develop malignant
mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles. A
benign mesothelioma does not appear to have any relationship to
asbestos exposure.
Understanding the Mesothelium
The mesothelium is a membrane that covers and protects most of the
internal organs of the body. It is composed of two layers of cells: one
layer immediately surrounds the organ; the other forms a sac around it.
The mesothelium produces a lubricating fluid that is released between
these layers, allowing moving organs (such as the beating heart and the
expanding and contracting lungs) to glide easily against adjacent
structures.
The mesothelium has different names, depending on its location in
the body. The peritoneum is the mesothelial tissue that covers most of
the organs in the abdominal cavity. The pleura is the membrane that
surrounds the lungs and lines the wall of the chest cavity, while the
pericardium covers and protects the heart. The mesothelial tissue
surrounding the male internal reproductive organs is called the tunica
vaginalis testis, and the tunica serosa uteri covers the internal
reproductive organs in women.
Risk Factors for Mesothelioma
Working with asbestos
is the major risk factor for mesothelioma. A history of asbestos
exposure at work is reported in about 70 to 80 percent of all cases.
However, mesothelioma has been reported in some individuals without any
known exposure to asbestos.
There is some evidence that family members and others living with
asbestos workers have an increased risk of developing mesothelioma, and
possibly other asbestos-related diseases. This risk may be the result of
exposure to asbestos dust brought home on the clothing and hair of
asbestos workers. To reduce the chance of exposing family members to
asbestos fibers, asbestos workers are usually required to shower and
change their clothing before leaving the workplace.
Smoking does not appear to increase the risk of mesothelioma.
However, the combination of smoking and asbestos exposure significantly
increases a person's risk of developing lung cancer (see Causes of Lung Cancer).
Asbestos is the name of a group of minerals that occur naturally as
masses of strong, flexible fibers that can be separated into thin
threads and woven. Asbestos has been mined and used commercially since
the late 1800s; its use greatly increased during World War II. Asbestos
has been widely used in many industrial products, including cement,
brake linings, roof shingles,
flooring products, textiles, and insulation. Since the early 1940s,
millions of American workers have been exposed to asbestos dust.
If tiny asbestos particles float in the air, especially during the
manufacturing process, they may be inhaled or swallowed and can cause
serious health problems. In addition to mesothelioma, exposure to
asbestos increases the risk of lung cancer, asbestosis (a noncancerous,
chronic lung ailment), and other cancers, such as those of the larynx
and kidney.
Initially, the risks associated with asbestos exposure were
unknown. However, an increased risk of developing mesothelioma was later
found among:
- Shipyard workers
- People who work in asbestos mines and mills
- Producers of asbestos products
- Workers in the heating and construction industries
- Other tradespeople.
Today, the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
sets limits for acceptable levels of asbestos exposure in the workplace.
People who work with asbestos wear personal protective equipment to
lower their risk of exposure.
The risk of asbestos-related disease increases with heavier
exposure to asbestos and longer exposure time. However, some individuals
with only brief exposures have developed mesothelioma. On the other
hand, not all workers who are heavily exposed develop asbestos-related
diseases.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
For more about mesothelioma symptoms, click on the full eMedTV article about Mesothelioma Symptoms.
To find out more about making a mesothelioma diagnosis, click on the full eMedTV article about Mesothelioma Diagnosis.
Treatment for mesothelioma depends on:
- The location of the cancer
- The stage of the disease
- The patient's age and general health.
Standard mesothelioma treatment options include:
- Surgery
- Radiation therapy
- Chemotherapy.
Sometimes, all three treatment methods are combined.
Statistics on Mesothelioma
Although reported incidence rates have increased in the past 20
years, mesothelioma is still a relatively rare cancer. About 2,000 new
cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in the United States each year.
Mesothelioma occurs more often in men than in women and risk increases
with age, but mesothelioma can appear in either men or women at any age.
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