Mesothelioma, regardless of its type, is so rare, with around 2,000 or 3,000 people in America getting the diagnosis every single year, according to the study by American Lung Association. The ultimate risk factor for the malignant mesothelioma denotes the contact with asbestos. Asbestos is known as a natural, fibrous silicate substance which is found in soil and rock which appears heat resistant and so durable. It was used in many things, ranging from insulation to car spare parts, before the danger was actually probed in 1970s. as claimed by the American Lung Association, about 70 % to 80% of people that are diagnosed with mesothelioma had serious contact with the substance.
The exposure to asbestos through work with construction, insulation, shipbuilding, or fabrics or textiles or the exposure to soiled clothes of asbestos worker leads in a 6-fod increase in the potential of developing lung cancer and mesothelioma, claimed Dr. Megan Baumgart, who is the assistant professor in the department of medicine, oncology/hematology at the Wilmot Cancer Institute in Rochester. This particular risk is dramatically higher in those that smoke in addition to the exposure to asbestos.
What makes the asbestos so deadly and aggressive is that it fibers are microscopic in nature, up until 1,200 times smaller than human hair, in accordance with the Environmental Protection Agency. The small particular size makes asbestos so easily inhaled. The small fibers enter human’s body, and then lodge in the internal tissue of the respiratory system, such as the lining of the lungs and the inner cavity tissue. The body has hard time getting rid of the substance once they are locked into a tissue.
Diagnosis and treatment for Malignant Mesothelioma
Even though there are a number of symptoms of mesothelioma, it is difficult to diagnose since many of the symptoms are shared by other forms of disease. A specialist will check for lumps during physical exam and may also carry out X-ray scans and computerized tomography scan so as to determine if the patient’s body has been affected by asbestos and thus has any sorts of abnormalities that are representative of mesothelioma symptoms. If the specialist suspects malignant mesothelioma, biopsy of the impacted site may also be suggested, in accordance with the Mayo Clinic.
If malignant mesothelioma is diagnosed, the doctor will try to determine the stage of the disease, which means that the cancer will be judged by its severity. In accordance with the American Cancer Society, known as ACS, staging mesothelioma is broken up into three classifications named TNM. The “T” stands for the extent which the primary tumor has spread. “N” stands for how much of the cancer has metastasized to surrounding lymph nodes. “M” stands for whether the cancer has already metastasized, meaning that the cancer has spread to the other internal organs. Once doctor finds out the stage of mesothelioma, then he will plan treatments. Even though there is no cure for the cancer, various treatments can help increase the patient’s prognosis and life expectancy.
