The mesothelium is a body membrane which forms the lining for several of body cavities, and malignant
mesothelioma is a cancerous disease of the mesothelium. Over 90% of mesothelioma cases are linked to asbestos exposure. Most cases of this cancer originate in the pleura (lung cavity) or the peritoneum (abdominal cavity). Symptoms of the condition include shortness of breath, pain in the chest wall, and weight loss. Patients will usually be treated by chemotherapy or radiation therapy, but the prognosis is generally very poor, and most patients die within twelve months of the diagnosis. Screening methods for early detection of the disease is still a research topic.
Working with asbestos is a major risk factor for developing this cancer. Unlike other asbestos related diseases there is not believed to be a safe level of exposure. Any exposure, however small, may cause the disease. For example, cases of exposure lasting between one and three months have been observed to cause the disease. Exposure for longer periods will increase the probability of developing the condition.
The latency time for the disease to develop is long, rarely less than 15 years. Latency periods of 30 or 40 years are typical.
Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma, the form which affects the linings of the lung cavity, are similar to those of other less serious diseases, which can delay initial diagnosis. Clearly a known history of contact with asbestos will lead the physician to have increased clinical suspicion for the condition.
Symptoms can include coughs, blood in the sputum, wheezes, fatigue, being short of breath and pain in the chest wall. Pleural effusion is the build up of fluids in the pleural cavity, which is the cause of the chest pain. Pleurodesis is a technique to obliterate the lung cavity preventing recurrence of the fluids. This is sometimes done by surgically introducing a slurry of talc into the patient's pleural cavity.
Many patients with the disease will have chemotherapy, radiation therapy or surgery, but generally the prognosis is poor, and few patients survive for more than one year. Earlier detection of the condition would be helpful, and research continues into screening techniques for those at risk.
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