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The Cancer Called Mesothelioma
by Shemileti Tadoroki
http://www.factmesothelioma.com
Mesothelioma is a rare kind of cancer that is caused by
inhaling the microscopic fibers of asbestos. Before the
1960s it was a common practice to use asbestos as insulation
in many houses. It is known to be a good flame retardant,
which explains why it was preferred as insulation. However,
since then it has been discovered that the microscopic
fibers of asbestos can cause mesothelioma. The rise in the
instance of this disease is proof of that.
Mesothelioma is so named because the cancer affects the
linings in the body known as the mesothelium. These linings
are found in the nose, the inside of the lungs, and in the
abdomen. The most common form of mesothelioma affects the
lungs. This is because the tiny asbestos fibers are inhaled
and then come to rest in the lungs. What makes
mesothelioma so hard to understand is how long it takes for
the disease to manifest itself.
Mesothelioma is a silent intruder. The fibers are so small
that they keep lying in the mesothelium for decades before
showing up as any symptoms of infection. The most difficult
part is that even when the symptoms appear, they look very
similar to the symptoms of other diseases and are hard to
distinguish. For instance, the cancer first appears in the
right lung and shows signs akin to viral pneumonia. The
initial symptoms of mesothelioma are shortness of breath and
chest pain, accompanied by persistent coughing. Even fluid
builds up in the lungs.
A chest X-Ray can show the fluid build up, but it requires
other tests to determine that you just do not have
pneumonia. Abdominal mesothelioma is characterized by bowel
trouble, pain, and swelling. The feet may swell as well, and
weight loss or anemia may occur as a result of vomiting.
Mesothelioma can spread to other parts of the body just like
any other cancer. It spreads pain wherever it goes. If you
have been exposed to asbestos at any point in life, you must
consult your doctor as soon as you notice persistent
symptoms that are similar to those of mesothelioma. There
are very few cancer specialists who treat mesothelioma.
Nevertheless, they are competent enough to treat the disease
and you have a fair chance of beating the disease.
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