Mesothelioma Cancer is a fairly rare cancer but it appears to be increasing. It is very serious usually because by the time it has been diagnosed it is very advanced. This cancer is related to exposure to asbestos fibres in about 80% of the cases. The cancer can take a very long time to generate and it may be a great many years before it shows up.
Who are Vulnerable?
People who have been exposed to asbestos fibres at some time are particularly vulnerable. This may have been in shipyards, railway carriage production, asbestos mine workers, asbestos mill workers, heating and construction workers and family and friends of these people.
The bulk of people developing Mesothelioma cancer are between 50 and 70 years old with about 4 times as many men being diagnosed than women.
Smoking is not directly related to Mesothelioma cancer but if the person smoking has been exposed to asbestos then the chances of lung cancer is increased by over 50 times.
Radiation has been known to cause Mesothelioma cancer but the numbers are limited.
How is it caused?
In the case of asbestos the fibres are breathed in and travel to the pleura where they damage the mesothelial cells and this can result in pleural Mesothelioma cancer. The same process can occur in the lungs if the fibres get that far or they can reach the abdominal region where they can cause peritoneal Mesothelioma cancer.
Symptoms
The early symptoms are very often similar to common illnesses and get overlooked but usually most diagnosis is within 3 months of the symptoms starting.
The usual signs of Mesothelioma cancer are lower back pain or side of chest often with shortness of breath. There may be other signs like coughing, coughing up blood, weight loss
Diagnosis
1) An initial examination will give signs along with a working history. Fluid in the chest or abdomen is a sign.
2) A chest X Ray may show thickening in the pleura and fluid in the pleural space.
3) A CT scan may well determine the location, size and extent of the cancer.
4) Fluid extraction can be analysed to find if cancer cells are present.
5) Thoroscopy in which a telescope type instrument fitted to a video camera with projection onto a monitor can be inserted through a small incision in the chest. This can look at the affected region take biopsies of the tumour and may possibly be used to remove it.
Treatment
Typical treatment is with cancer drugs and chemotherapy and removal of the tumour by thoroscopy but it does depend on how far developed the cancer is and how far it has spread.
This is a difficult section because the typical survival rate is low and the average survival rate is less than one year. However if there is an early diagnosis at least half live over 2 years and a good many survive at least 5 years.
There are a number of research trials on going and some of these have produced promising results, which are beginning to filter through. These are based around cancer drugs and chemotherapy.
As it is asbestos related then any person who has worked with asbestos should be aware of the potential of developing the cancer and symptoms should be referred to the medical practitioner as soon as possible.
Financial Matters
This is an unfortunate subject but it can help a person's quality of life whilst he has the cancer. The fact that this disease has been developed from exposure to asbestos invariably means that there is compensation case to answer and as these have been advanced over many years the systems are fairly well established. This should bring financial aid to help to bring the patient some assistance and hopefully pleasure. Contact a reputable legal firm with experience in the litigation, as they will take the strain out of the problem, which is probably the last thing you want to be involved with.
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