Mesothelioma, what are its causes and how to treat it?

 Mesothelioma, what are its causes, and how to treat it?

Mesothelioma tumors have become among the most common types of cancer worldwide and are most common in the United States and Western Europe.  An estimated 20,920 new cases of mesothelioma were diagnosed in the U.S. in 2018, down from 22,333 new cases in 2017.  

The decrease represents a 2% drop in the annual number of new cases, which is the first decline in the U.S. since 2001.  However, mesothelioma remains deadly cancer.

-Myers Squibb researchers estimate that, on average, a mesothelioma tumor lives for about two years before becoming fatal. (PBS, 2012).

What is mesothelioma 

Mesothelioma is the most common malignancy among men exposed to asbestos and is caused by the inhalation of asbestos fibers (asbestos fibers can be described as fibers that are too small to be seen with the naked eye but can be captured on a slide by an optical microscope).

 Mesothelioma is often associated with previous exposure to asbestos and can be diagnosed years after exposure.    Mesothelioma is also known as malignant pleural mesothelioma. It is malignant because it grows cells that become invasive.

The average life expectancy for people with mesothelioma is four to five years. It can be very difficult for mesothelioma victims to cope, especially when the diagnosis is so difficult to understand.

Mesothelioma is found in both men and women and is most common in people exposed to asbestos for many years.  Most men and women exposed to asbestos develop mesothelioma, although it may take years. Mesothelioma is known to be caused by asbestos fibers that enter the body through the lungs.  Mesothelioma also can be caused by exposure to other radioactive materials.

Asbestos exposure increases the risk of getting mesothelioma—cancer that forms when the body’s mesothelium (the thin, membrane-like surface lining the inside of your lungs) becomes cancerous after years of exposure. Scientists don’t know how asbestos exposure causes mesothelioma, but the longer people are exposed, the greater their risk.

Mesothelioma is caused primarily by exposure to asbestos, a type of mineral commonly used in construction and insulation materials. It is known to cause mesothelioma, as well as cancer called pleural mesothelioma, which occurs in the lining of the lungs. These forms of mesothelioma are also known as “malignant pleural” or “malignant mesothelioma.”

Mesothelioma is often misdiagnosed by doctors, due to the absence of a visible mass. Patients often feel like they are being ignored by doctors and medical centers.  When doctors finally order a CT scan, it is often too late to treat the disease. It is also too late to know if cancer will ever come back.

Mesothelioma cancer is curable only if it is discovered early. In most cases, it takes years for symptoms of mesothelioma to develop, often going undetected for years. Diagnosis depends on many factors, such as the type of mesothelioma, its stage and location, and the patient’s overall health.

Mesothelioma is primarily caused by asbestos, a mineral that is commonly found in building materials such as insulation, ceiling tiles, and fireproofing products.  Since asbestos is often found in commercial products made with talc, such products are also considered a source of mesothelioma cancer.

What is the treatment for the middle phenomenon?

Treatment for mesothelioma is different depending on the type of mesothelioma and where it is found. The main treatments for mesothelioma are surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. For some patients, chemotherapy alone is all that is needed, while radiation therapy alone may be particularly effective against mesothelioma. Chemotherapy drugs include carboplatin, cisplatin, and pemetrexed.

Most people do not realize that they have been exposed to asbestos until years, sometimes decades, after their last exposure. Mesothelioma can begin to develop after exposure to asbestos fibers for 10 or 20 years.

Bruce Willis was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 1993 and, after treatment, was pronounced cancer-free in 1995.  He suffered a relapse in 2000, due to which he took a break from acting and began focusing on his health.  In 2008, he began acting again.

Mesothelioma is also known as malignant pleural mesothelioma. It is malignant because it grows cells that become invasive.