Malignant Mesothelioma Cancer
Malignant mesothelioma is a form of cancer that affects more than 2,000 people each year and is one of the most aggressive types of cancer encountered by physicians. This is in part due to the difficulty in diagnosing the cancer, as the disease is often confused with less serious chest-related illnesses until it is too late. A late diagnosis unfortunately means a significantly reduced lifespan for a mesothelioma patient, as it may be too late for surgical or chemotherapy options. Due to the low number of cases of this condition diagnosed each year, malignant mesothelioma is classified as an "orphan disease", and does not receive as much funding as other, more visible forms of cancer. Unfortunately, this type of cancer is on the rise, as many Americans have been exposed to its leading causal factor: asbestos.
Asbestos and Mesothelioma
For a period of approximately 50 years, the United States used asbestos in a number of ways, most notably as insulation for navy ships and in commercial buildings. In addition, asbestos was used in chemical plants in some residential homes to protect gas meters or the backings of roof tiles from extreme heat. Asbestos itself is a crystalline substance can be mined at sites across North America, and it was not until the 1960s that the negative properties of the substance were discovered. Exposure to frangible (easily broken) asbestos meant the inhalation of asbestos fibers. These long, thin fibers could become stuck in the membranes lining the heart, lungs and abdomens of workers and their families, who were exposed to the asbestos on clothing and other items that were brought home. Once in the body, asbestos fibers cannot be naturally removed or destroyed, and while the exact way in which mesothelioma develops is unknown, some studies suggest that the body may try to consume these fibers, which are too long and too thin to be of any use. When a body realizes that it cannot fully digest the fibers, it calls for help, and the immune system response causes an abnormal division of cells around the fiber, and the development of tumors.
Types of Mesothelioma
Malignant mesothelioma causes all types of cancer that are caused by asbestos, of which there are three prominent types - pericardial, peritoneal and pleural. Pleural mesothelioma is the most common type of this cancer, and affects the lining of the abdomen. Peritoneal mesothelioma affects the lungs, and the rarest form of this cancer, pericardial mesothelioma, results in tumors that form around the heart. If the disease is diagnosed early enough, it may be possible to surgically remove the tumors if they are low in number and not located at multiple sites. In rare cases, it is possible to full remove the affected portion of the body. More commonly, a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and new drug and radiation therapies are used to try and manage the disease. The average lifespan for a patient diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma is between 9 and 12 months, but if caught in the early stages and treated quickly, it is possible to significantly extend a patient's remaining time.
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