Mesothelioma is a diffusely growing malignant tumor that usually affects the abdomen, lungs, or heart. This type of cancer is often diagnosed late and is difficult to cure.
What is mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that occurs in the thin layer of tissue that covers most of the internal organs. Mesothelioma is an aggressive and deadly form of cancer. While there are some treatment options, for many people with mesothelioma, a cure is futile. Doctors divide mesothelioma into two different types, depending on which parts of the mesothelium are affected. In most cases, mesothelioma affects the tissue that surrounds the lungs. Other possible forms of mesothelioma affect the tissue in the abdomen or genitals. Men are more commonly affected by this type of cancer than women. Unlike other forms, mesotheliomas never occur as benign tumors and should not be confused with such more common forms in the chest area. They are exclusively malignant.
Causes
In general, cancer occurs when a series of genetic mutations sets in within a cell and causes it to grow and multiply uncontrollably. It is not clear what causes the genetic mutation in the case of mesothelioma. However, researchers have been able to identify possible factors that increase the risk of developing the disease. For example, it is very likely that the mutations are caused by a combination of several causes. These include a congenital predisposition, living environment, health status and lifestyle. Asbestos exposure has been identified as a major risk factor. This mineral, long used for insulation, emits a toxic dust when it becomes old and brittle or damaged. However, it is noted that while some people do not develop disease even from prolonged contact with asbestos, other people develop disease very quickly.
Symptoms, complaints and signs
Mesothelioma can manifest itself in different ways depending on its severity and location. One of the first symptoms is shortness of breath. In addition, chronic breathing difficulties and abnormal breathing sounds may occur. Those affected usually describe the sounds as rattling or rasping, depending on the size and location of the tumor. If the chest wall is involved or the tumors irritate the intercostal nerves, chest pain may be added. Rarely, there is an irritable cough or diaphragmatic elevation. Pleural cancer may also be associated with fever, malaise, weight loss, and other general symptoms. Thickening of the pleura or unilateral pleural effusions also indicate mesothelioma. In some cases, these reddish effusions, usually two to five centimeters in size, can be detected externally. Symptoms often develop insidiously. Years can pass between the first signs and a diagnosis. In particular, the typical effusions recur but are rarely attributed to pleural cancer. If not treated, mesothelioma will metastasize to surrounding areas of the body. Organ damage, respiratory dysfunction and other complications, some of them life-threatening, can then occur. The most obvious sign of progressive cancer is weight loss and accumulation of various diseases.
Diagnosis and progression
When symptoms of possible mesothelioma are apparent, the attending physician will perform a physical examination and look for lumps or other noticeable signs. He or she will then perform a series of other tests. These usually include X-rays or computed tomography scans. After the abnormalities are located, more specific tests will follow to say with certainty what type of disease needs to be dealt with. Most likely, a biopsy will be ordered. This is the removal and analysis of a removed piece of tissue from the affected region. Commonly, the sampling is done with a syringe inserted into the abdominal region to remove fluid from the affected region. However, it is often necessary to open the chest a bit to make withdrawals and examine the regions more closely.
Complications
Mesothelioma results in a significantly reduced life expectancy in most cases, as this cancer is usually very difficult to treat.Since it is diagnosed late, in many cases other regions of the body are also affected by the cancer and the affected person dies prematurely. Patients primarily suffer from severe breathing difficulties and abnormal breathing sounds. Due to the reduced supply of air, the patient also suffers from fatigue and a greatly reduced ability to cope with stress. Sufferers also suffer from fever and chest pain due to mesothelioma. Due to the formation of metastases, there is a severe loss of weight and further a feeling of oppression. It is not uncommon for mesothelioma to lead to depression and other psychological upsets. In most cases, mesothelioma can no longer be cured. The symptoms can only be limited to a small extent. If the tumor is detected early, it may be possible to remove it so that the affected person survives. Chemotherapy is also usually used in this case, but in most cases it is associated with various side effects.
When should you go to the doctor?
People who suffer from a diffuse feeling of illness or malaise should consult a doctor. Because the diagnosis of mesothelioma is often made at a very late stage by the affected person due to the difficulty of assessing symptoms, adults are advised to attend regular checkups and check-ups. Often several years pass between the onset of the disease and the diagnosis. If there is unwanted weight loss, increased tiredness or fatigue, a visit to the doctor is advisable. In case of shortness of breath or other disturbances of respiratory activity, there is always cause for concern. A physician should be consulted so that extensive testing can determine the cause. Pain in the upper body, decreased performance, and breathing sounds should be investigated and treated. Fever, irritable cough or hemoptysis must be presented to a physician. Sleep disturbances, mood swings, and digestive disturbances are other signs of an existing irregularity. Dysfunction or irregularity of the nervous system should be discussed with a physician. If the general resilience decreases, irritability occurs or sporting activities can no longer be carried out as usual, a doctor should be consulted. Changes in the appearance of the skin, swellings on the upper body or bruising indicate a disorder in the organism that needs to be examined by a doctor. If the complaints increase in intensity over months or years, a doctor is needed.
Treatment and therapy
The type of treatment undertaken depends on the patient’s health status, specific aspects of the tumor, and the stage of development of the mesothelioma. Unfortunately, for the majority of affected patients, a cure is out of the question. This is due to the fact that mesotheliomas are often only detected at an advanced stage, when removal by surgery is no longer possible. Instead, damage limitation is pursued and an attempt is made to live with the cancer. Goals and side effects of treatments should be discussed individually. For example, there are patients who consider every possibility for a cure, even if the chances are small and the side effects immense. Others want to live out their remaining life as symptom-free as possible. In early stages, surgery can remove the mesothelioma and heal it completely. More likely, however, the tumor cannot be completely removed, but the painful symptoms of the disease can be reduced. Chemotherapy is usually used in combination to weaken the affected cells.
Aftercare
Because mesothelioma is usually detected very late, a cure is often not possible. In this respect, the treating physician tends to focus on alleviating the symptoms during follow-up care. If the mesothelioma is detected early, the tumor can still be surgically removed. In this case, the affected person may still survive. In addition to surgical removal, chemotherapy is used. However, this is associated with side effects such as nausea and vomiting. Since the disease is diagnosed late in many cases, other regions of the body are usually already affected by the cancer. Mesothelioma significantly reduces the life expectancy of those affected. In most cases, the cancer is very difficult to treat.Those affected have a reduced air supply and suffer from permanent fatigue for this reason. The ability to cope with stress is considerably reduced, which is why the help of relatives and friends in everyday life becomes essential. In many cases, sufferers experience severe depression and other mental illnesses. Professional, psychological support can help those affected to better accept how to deal with the situation.
Outlook and prognosis
The prognosis of cancer is unfavorable in most patients. It is a form of tumor formation that is considered aggressive and fatal. Within a short period of time, cancer cells in the organism spread through the bloodstream to various areas, leading to the formation of metastases. The challenge of the disease is early diagnosis. In most cases, the symptoms are only detected at an advanced stage of the disease, as the growth of this tumor has an enormous speed. Complaints often occur, the patient seeks medical attention, and yet the progress of the disease is usually enormous within a few weeks or months. For the improvement of a prognosis, patients should participate in the regularly offered medical control and preventive examinations. Here, an early detection of the disease can take place and thus a cancer therapy as well as a surgical intervention can be initiated already in the early stages. Although these treatments are associated with numerous side effects, they are currently the only way to alleviate the symptoms and the prospect of recovery. Nevertheless, it must be taken into account that this aggressive cancer can lead to the formation of a new tumor at any time. Although freedom from symptoms is achieved, malignant tissue changes may reappear in the course of life.
Prevention
The risk of developing mesothelioma increases with frequent contact with asbestos. For prevention, find out if you frequently come into contact with asbestos in your daily life or work and try to avoid this contact. Occupations with increased risk of danger are: Mine workers, factory workers, insulation craftsmen, shipbuilders, construction workers, car mechanics.
This is what you can do yourself
Unfortunately, in most cases of mesothelioma, there are no particular self-help options available to the affected person. Even treatment by a doctor can usually not completely cure the symptoms and the tumor, so that it eventually comes to the death of the affected person. As with all other tumor diseases, the affected person should take it easy and not engage in any heavy physical activities or sports. A healthy lifestyle with a healthy diet also has a positive effect on the disease and can alleviate the symptoms. Furthermore, the disease should always be discussed with the closest friends and family in order to avoid possible psychological complaints or depression. Particularly in the case of children, sensitive discussions are necessary. Since those affected are usually dependent on chemotherapy, they also need strong support from other people in this regard. Mesothelioma can usually be well prevented by avoiding asbestos. Above all, direct contact with the chemical must be avoided. Unfortunately, this is not possible in all occupations, so these groups rely on proper protective clothing to avoid the disease.
