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Mesothelioma Explanation With Pictures

Article from here

Mesothelioma is a cancer of the mesothelium. The mesothelium is a thin membrane that lines the chest and abdomen and surrounds the organs in these areas. The lining around the lungs is called the pleura and in the abdomen it is known as the peritoneum.

About 2000 people in the UK are diagnosed with mesothelioma each year.

Mesothelioma of the lining of the lungs, known as pleural mesothelioma, is much more common than mesothelioma in the peritoneum. For every one person with peritoneal mesothelioma, there will be about 12 people who have pleural mesothelioma.


Pleural mesothelioma

The pleura has two layers: the inner (visceral) layer, which is next to the lung; and the outer (parietal) layer, which lines the chest wall. The two layers of the pleura are usually in contact and slide over each other as we breathe. The membranes produce fluid, which allows them to slide over each other easily.

When mesothelioma develops in the pleura (pleural mesothelioma), the delicate membranes thicken and may press inwards on the lung. Fluid may also collect between the two layers of the pleura: this is known as a pleural effusion.


Structure of the lungs and pleura
Structure of the lungs and pleura

Peritoneal mesothelioma

The lining of the abdomen is known as the peritoneum. It also has two layers: the inner (visceral) layer, which is next to the abdominal organs, and the outer (parietal) layer, which lines the abdominal wall.

If the mesothelioma is in the peritoneum it is called peritoneal mesothelioma and causes thickening of the membranes surrounding the abdominal organs and a collection of fluid in the abdomen. The collection of fluid is called ascites and causes swelling of the abdomen.


Side view of the abdomen. The peritoneum is shown as the thick line surrounding the abdominal organs.
Side view of the abdomen. The peritoneum is shown as the thick line surrounding the abdominal organs.

Another interesting fact about Mesothelioma

Article from here

What is Mesothelioma?
The National Cancer Institute states that: "Malignant mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer, is a disease in which cancer (malignant) cells are found in the sac lining the chest (the pleura), the lining of the abdominal cavity (the peritoneum) or the lining around the heart (the pericardium)."

lung anatomy lung with mesothelioma

What is peritoneal mesothelioma?
Peritoneal mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining of the abdominal cavity. This form of cancer makes up approximately one-fifth to one-third of the total number of mesothelioma cases diagnosed. More on peritoneal mesothelioma.

How do you get Mesothelioma?
Most people with malignant mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they breathed asbestos. Others have been exposed to asbestos in a household environment, often without knowing it. More about the different ways in which people have been exposed to asbestos.

How much exposure does it take to get the disease?
An exposure of as little as one or two months can result in mesothelioma 30 or 40 years later. Mesothelioma cause.

How long does it take after exposure for the disease to show up?
People exposed in the 1940s, 50s, 60s, and 70s are now being diagnosed with mesothelioma because of the long latency period of asbestos disease.

What is the prognosis for mesothelioma?
Like most cancers, the prognosis for this disease often depends on how early it is diagnosed and how aggressively it is treated. Click on Treatment Options to find out more about traditional and new approaches.

Is there any promising research or are there promising drugs for mesothelioma?
Research is being conducted at various cancer centers all over the United States as well as by pharmaceutical companies. To find more about these studies, click on Clinical Trials. To read abstracts of the latest journal articles on mesothelioma research and to access these articles, click on Medical Journal Articles; or Mesothelioma News for news articles. A recent study of Alimta showed patients living much longer with Alitma than other chemotherapy drugs.

Where can I find information on living with mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma Aid is a good website for resource for families dealing with mesothelioma. It includes advice and referrals to other resources for coping with cancer, caregiving, financial challenges, and support groups. Alternatively, contact us here at Mesothelioma Web for help finding resouces for living with this disease.

What kinds of other resources are available for people with mesothelioma?
There are numerous cancer web sites, some specific to mesothelioma. Because they are often difficult to locate, we have listed some relevant medical sites under Leading Cancer Links. We are always on the lookout for more so check our site often.

Different Types of Mesothelioma

Article from here

A lot of jobs, like mining, require the gathering of a fibrous mineral called asbestos. Generally, this substance is used to manufacture common items like roofing tars, gaskets, acoustical ceilings, stage curtains, fire blankets, fire doors for the interiors, and putty, to name a few. It is even utilized to create firefighters’ fireproof clothing. But what one might not realize is the fact that you can actually get stricken by a disease that, if neglected, may lead to death.

Asbestos gets in a person’s body through inhaling. Once these materials lodge into essential organs like the lungs, they are hard to expel since they are too large. Thus, the body develops diseases because of asbestos, and mesothelimia is a perfect example.

Mesothelioma is a malignant cancer that affects vital organs of the body. It was only in recent years that this disease has been subject to serious study. It targets mainly the mesothelium, a protective sac that serve as vital organs’ lining such as in the lungs and heart. If one is struck from mesotheliomia, the cells in these linings become abnormal, and a tumor develops.

Mesothelioma occurs if a person is constantly exposed to asbestos. From there, one may suffer from major forms of mesothelioma. These three do share some common symptoms, although other warning signs are specific to the kind of disease an individual is suffering. The major disadvantage of mesothelimia is that its symptoms do not surface until many hears have passed. This, somehow, makes earlier diagnosis difficult, and worse, treatment may prove to be futile as there’s nothing else medical science can do.

Pleural Mesothelioma

This is the most common type of mesothelioma. Important organs affected are usually the lungs as well as its cavity. Normally, the early signs of pleural mesothelioma start with the fluid buildup between the chest cavity and the lung lining, which is medically termed as pleural effusion. If a person suffers from this sickness, he is likely to have difficulty in swallowing and breathing, persistent coughing, fever, rasping, weight loss, and shortness of breath.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Peritoneal Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer. It generally affects the lining in the abdomen as well as in the stomach. The disease normally begins in the abdominal cavity and then later spreads to other body parts. When the tumor starts growing in the abdomen, a person may experience breathing problems, bowel obstruction, chest pain, loss of appetite, anemia, inability to clot blood, fever, abdominal swelling, vomiting, and nausea.

Pericardial Mesothelioma

Like the Peritoneal Mesothelioma, the Pericardial Mesothelimia is also a unique kind of cancer. It targets the lining of the heart as well as the cavity surrounding the heart. Common symptoms of this disorder are shortness or difficulty in breathing, palpitations, persistent coughing, and chest pain.

Asbestosis

Another variety of asbestos-related illness is known as asbestosis. Asbestosis is an inflammatory health problem that affects parenchymal tissue found in the lungs. It is generally characterized by shortness of breath due to overexposure to asbestos. If a person suffers from asbestosis, most likely than not, he will develop a lung cancer.

It is practically important therefore that a person who is constantly exposed to asbestos must see his or her doctor as often as possible for regular checkup, especially that some of these associated symptoms are also present in common diseases. Families and friends can also help too by encouraging asbestos-exposed relatives to reveal their present medical problems to a doctor. If vital information are not mentioned to the doctor, he might mistaken your illness as ordinary and neglect the possibility that it could have been mesothelioma. Remember that the earlier a person shares his medical problem to a professional, the earlier the necessary treatment is applied. Both the doctor and the patient must establish awareness of mesothelimia in order to save their and other people’s lives in the process.

Recovery, if undergoing treatment, may take a while, but the sufferer can help speed up everything by being in constant communication with the doctor as well as keeping in mind the latter’s instructions and medical prescriptions.

Arizona Mesothelioma Lawyer

Article from here

Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that most frequently arises from the cells lining the sacs of the chest (the pleura) or the abdomen (the peritoneum). It is usually caused by exposure to asbestos. Arizona mesothelioma lawyers are there to help you claim damages when a former company may have been at fault by not telling you that you were working with asbestos. Settlements can often bring a million dollars - most of which will go to cover the cost of medical treatment.

Arizona ranks 22 in the nation for mesothelioma cases. If you are living with mesothelioma or with someone who has it, you are not alone in your struggle. Anyone suffering from this dangerous disease has a right to file a lawsuit. In Arizona, mesothelioma laws come under the personal injury category, and there are many lawyers who specialize in these cases.

A mesothelioma lawyer, with the help of a private investigator, can find out where the exposure to asbestos took place and pinpoint the company or individual responsible for the exposure. Once, the guilt is proved, a mesothelioma lawyer can help you cover medical treatment that is aggressive and life extending and cost thousands of dollars. They will also help you win compensation for pain and suffering. A good lawyer can help you force asbestos manufacturers to reimburse you for your sufferings and take life long responsibility for your livelihood.

The timely process of selecting and hiring the right lawyer can make the difference by securing a multimillion-dollar compensation for you and your family.

Arizona Lawyers provides detailed information on Arizona Lawyers, Arizona DUI Lawyers, Arizona Criminal Defense Lawyers, Arizona Divorce Lawyers and more. Arizona Lawyers is affiliated with Colorado Employment Lawyers.