Mesothelioma, which has been a ‘mystery’ disease till recently, posed a serious threat for the human health. The 1999 discovery of the link between Mesothelioma and asbestos has definitely brought a ray of hope our way. There is yet much to be achieved in the forms of treatment and proper cure of the disease.

Mesothelioma – The Disease

Mesothelioma is an aggressive form of cancer. The disease gets its name because the disease initially affects the mesothelium. The mesothelium is the two-layered protective membrane that covers the internal organs of the body including the heart, lungs and the abdominal organs. Mesothelioma can develop from any of these sites; however, researches have shown that in most cases it is the lung lining that is affected. 

The most deadly aspect of Mesothelioma is that the disease takes some 20 to 50 years to develop. The cases of the WTC Mesothelioma victims were exceptional. The high concentrations of asbestos, it is being said, have prompted their death.

Since the symptoms are not very pronounced from the very early stages, Mesothelioma is not diagnosed until it is in an advanced metastasized stage, when it has spread and affected other parts of the body. No wonder, treating Mesothelioma is a challenging proposition for medicos even today. 

Mesothelioma – Types

Mesothelioma is usually classified into 3 different types – Pleural Mesothelioma, Peritoneal Mesothelioma and Pericardial Mesothelioma – depending on the initially infected site. When the infection starts from the lung lining, it is termed as Pleural Mesothelioma. When the abdominal cavity lining is affected, one develops Peritoneal Mesothelioma. In case the cardiac sac is affected, one is diagnosed with Pericardial Mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma – Causes

Exposure to asbestos (rather asbestos fibers) is the primary cause of Mesothelioma. What actually happens is that the asbestos fibers inhaled get embedded in the organ linings. This causes inflammation of the lining; over time, the affected organ lining develops cancerous or malignant tumors.

Mesothelioma – Symptoms

As said, the symptoms of Mesothelioma become apparent only when the disease reaches an advanced stage. But then the common symptoms of Mesothelioma that one experiences are shortness of breath and persistent chest pain. One also loses appetite and often finds difficulty in swallowing and hence loses considerable weight. Fever and continuous coughing trigger sleeping disturbances.

These, however, are not to name all the symptoms as symptoms vary depending on the type of Mesothelioma one is afflicted with. Thus, people developing Peritoneal Mesothelioma experience acute abdominal pain and have bowel problems. Vomiting and nausea are pretty common in them as is swelling of the abdominal region. Such people also develop an anemic tendency.

People suffering from Pericardial Mesothelioma not only find it difficult to breathe but even experience severe chest pain. Excessive fatigue after minimal exertion, persistent coughing and heart palpitations are the symptoms of Pericardial Mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma – Diagnosis and Treatment

Mesothelioma, most often than not is diagnosed quite late. So far, there has been nothing like a breakthrough finding that assures early diagnosis. In addition, modern science too is not adequately equipped to completely cure Mesothelioma. The available treatments – be it chemotherapy, radiation treatment, surgery or any other treatments are palliative and serve to lessen the severity of the disease rather than uproot it. 

Researches are ongoing and attempts are on to strike out at an early stage, before Mesothelioma gets a strong foothold and starts affecting the body.