Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the tissue lining inside the upper body. The mesothelium is the name of the tissue that lines the inside of your organs. Mesothelioma often begins in the lining of the lungs, but it can spread to other organs as well. As the disease spreads, cancer cells begin to grow and the mesothelium layers thicken. This often causes fluid to build up between tissue layers.
Because the symptoms of mesothelioma are similar to those of other common diseases, it is important that you understand the causes and symptoms of mesothelioma. The following information is provided by a Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia mesothelioma attorney to assist you in learning more about mesothelioma.
Causes of Mesothelioma
The main cause of mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. Eighty percent of all mesothelioma cases are caused by asbestos exposure. The other causes of mesothelioma are unknown, but may include radiation and exposure to rare toxins.
Types of Mesothelioma
There are three main types of mesothelioma:
- Pleural Mesothelioma
- Pericardial Mesothelioma
- Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Each type of mesothelioma affects a different body part.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is the most common type of mesothelioma. It affects the tissue around the lungs. There are two layers of tissue around the lungs: the visceral layer and the parietal layer. The visceral layer lines the inside of the lungs and parietal layer is an outer layer that lines the chest wall. When cancer cells spread to both layers of tissue, they thicken and fluid builds up between the layers. This puts pressure on the lungs and causes shortness of breath, one of the first symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. Other symptoms include:
- Chest pain
- Persistent coughing
- Hoarseness
- Difficulty swallowing
- Fever
- Weight loss
- Fatigue
Many mesothelioma patients are misdiagnosed because these symptoms are similar to those of pneumonia. Being diagnosed with mesothelioma early is important because early treatment can prevent lung cancer.
Pericardial Mesothelioma
Pericardial mesothelioma affects the membrane surrounding the heart. Once the asbestos fibers reach this membrane, the membrane becomes inflamed. This often leads to the growth of cancer cells. These cells cause the membrane to thicken, which places pressure on the heart. Symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma include:
- Irregular heartbeat
- Decreased stamina
- Chest pain
Pericardial mesothelioma is often mistaken for other diseases, such as heart disease.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Peritoneal mesothelioma affects the membrane lining the abdominal cavity. If it is not treated, pericardial mesothelioma can spread to the lungs or testicles. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include:
- Abdominal pain
- Shortness of breath
- Coughing
Diagnosing Mesothelioma
Because the symptoms of mesothelioma are similar to those of other diseases, it is often hard to diagnose. If you think you have been exposed to asbestos, you should tell your physician immediately.
A physician may administer the following tests to determine whether you have mesothelioma:
- X-rays
- Computed tomography (CT) scans
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans
- Positron emission tomography (PET) scans
- Tissue and fluid sampling
These tests are used to find the thickening of tissue before the cancer spreads. An early diagnosis increases your chance of survival.
Treating Mesothelioma
Because mesothelioma is not often found until later, it can be hard to treat. Some treatment options are available and researchers are working to find new treatments.
Surgery
Surgery is not always an option because the cancer cells are not in the form of a tumor that may be easily removed. If pleural cancer is identified early, your doctor may be able to remove the pleural membrane, a chest wall, or a lung to get rid of all the cancer cells. Surgery is often followed by radiation and chemotherapy treatments.
Radiation & Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy and radiation may be used to destroy cancer cells and slow the growth of the cancer. Two common chemotherapy drugs are Cisplatin and Pemetrexed. Cisplatin uses platinum to destroy the DNA of cancer cells. Pemetrexed works in a similar manner to get rid of cancer cells. However, some types of mesothelioma are resistant to Pemetrexed.
Laws Surrounding Asbestos Exposure & Mesothelioma
There are a number of laws intended to protect those who have mesothelioma. If you have been exposed to asbestos and think that you may have mesothelioma, you should obtain a Maryland, Virginia, or Washington DC mesothelioma attorney to help you recover compensation. If you need of an attorney, contact a Maryland, Washington DC or Virginia asbestos attorney at Koonz, McKenney, Johnson, DePaolis & Lightfoot, L.L.P. to explain the mesothelioma laws and help you with your case. |
