Mesothelioma is a form of cancer, most often caused by exposure to asbestos dust and fibre, either by having worked in jobs where asbestos dust may have been inhaled, or even just by washing the clothes of an individual who had worked with asbestos. Cancerous cells develop in the mesothelium, a protective membrane which envelops the majority of the organs. Most commonly it is found in the plura, the outer lining of the lungs and chest cavity, but it also occurs in the peritoneum, the lining of the abdominal cavity, or the pericardium, the fluid filled sac that surrounds the heart.
What are the symptoms of mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma can manifest at any time after exposure from asbestos, from months to many decades.
Mesothelioma exhibits differing symptoms depending on where it manifests itself within the body.
- Pleural mesothelioma may cause shortness of breath and pain in the chest area, due to the accumulation of fluid in the pleural cavity.
- Peritoneal mesothelioma can cause sudden weight loss, bowel obstruction (constipation), anemia (low blood iron), hemophilia (poor blood clotting), fever, and cachexia (abdominal pain and swelling due to ascites (fluid buildup in the abdominal cavity)).
- Pericardial mesothelioma may cause chest pain, shortness of breath, heart attacks and myocardial infarction.
- If the cancer has spread beyond the mesothelium, symptoms may include general pain, difficulty swallowing, swelling of the neck and face and enlarged glands.
- Many of these symptoms may also be caused by other, less serious conditions.
The diagnosis of
mesothelioma is extremely challenging, and must be performed by your physician/doctor if you suspect anything,
DO NOT HESITATE to contact a healthcare professional.
An important factor in the diagnosis of
mesothelioma is a complete review of your medical and employment history, particularly investigating if you have ever worked in any situation whereby you may have been exposed to asbestos.
If
mesothelioma is at all expected, the following tests should be performed (if these are not performed, this may be seen as medical negligence).
- Chest X-Ray this may show thickening of the plura, caused by exposure to asbestos.
- Lung function tests these serve to test the overall function of your lungs, and will typically include maximum exhalation/inhalation rate tests, and lung volume tests.
- CT/CAT/MRI scan this is used as secondary imaging, and may show detail and fluid buildup not shown by an X-Ray.
If fluid is detected, these tests may be followed by cytology of the fluid. This involves extracting some of the fluid buildup and examining it. For Pleural fluid this may be done with a pleural tap or chest drain, for ascitic fluid this may be done with a paracentesis or ascitic drain, and for pericardial fluid with pericardiocentesis.
In the case that cytology does not show any malignant cells, the risk that
mesothelioma is present is considerably reduced, but not eliminated. Alternate diagnoses may include tuberculosis and heart failure.
In the event that cytology does show malignant cells, a biopsy is required to confirm the diagnosis of
mesothelioma. This involves the removal of a small sample of tissue for examination under a microscope. Depending on the location of the area requiring examination, the procedure for a biopsy differs slightly. If pleural area is affected, a thoracoscopy may be perfomed. This involves making a small incision in the chest, and a thoracoscope (a slender illuminated tube) is inserted into the chest between two ribs - tools at the end of this tube allow imagery of the inside of the chest to be obtained, and also for tissue samples to be taken. If the peritoneal area is affected, a laparoscopy will be performed - a procedury similar to a thoracoscopy.
In the event that not enough tissue is obtained, more invasive diagnostic surgery may be required.
Asbestos exposure is associated with most cases of
mesothelioma; thus a diagnosis of
mesothelioma is frequently an indication of occupational exposure to asbestos. In some countries (e.g. Germany), people diagnosed with
mesothelioma are eligible for compensation based upon this occupational exposure. There have been many instances in the U.S. in which people exposed to asbestos have won cases against companies responsible for exposing them to asbestos. If you are suffering from
mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases, consultation with an attorney with expertise in this area is advised.
Many attorneys specialize in helping people with asbestos exposure file claims against companies involved in exposing individuals to asbestos. Some attorney groups maintain websites providing information about
mesothelioma. There is much useful information on some of these sites, however, be aware that if you submit information about yourself on these websites, you may be contacted by representatives of the law firms attempting to recruit you as a client in litigation.
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