Mesothelioma- Symptoms, Causes, Risk factors and Treatment

Malignant mesothelioma is a type of cancer that occurs in the thin layer of tissue that covers the majority of your internal organs (mesothelium).

Mesothelioma is an aggressive and deadly form of cancer. Mesothelioma treatments are available, but for many people with mesothelioma, a cure isn't possible.

Doctors divide mesothelioma into different types based on what part of the mesothelium is affected. Mesothelioma most often affects the tissue that surrounds the lungs (pleura). This type is called pleural mesothelioma. Other, rarer types of mesothelioma affect tissue in the abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma), around the heart and around the testicles.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of mesothelioma vary depending on where the cancer occurs.

Pleural mesothelioma, which affects the tissue that surrounds the lungs, causes signs and symptoms that may include:

• Chest pain, Painful coughing, Shortness of breath, Unusual lumps of tissue under the skin on your chest, Unexplained weight loss

Peritoneal mesothelioma, which occurs in tissue in the abdomen, causes signs and symptoms that may include:

• Abdominal pain, Abdominal swelling, Nausea, Unexplained weight loss

Causes

In general, cancer begins when a series of changes (mutations) happens in a cell's DNA. The DNA contains the instructions that tell a cell what to do. The mutations tell the cell to grow and multiply out of control. The abnormal cells accumulate and form a tumor.

Risk factors

Asbestos exposure: The primary risk factor for mesothelioma

Factors that may increase the risk of mesothelioma include:

• Personal history of asbestos exposure. 
• Living with someone who works with asbestos. 
• A family history of mesothelioma. 
• Radiation therapy to the chest. 

 Complications

As pleural mesothelioma spreads in the chest, it puts pressure on the structures in that area. This can cause complications, such as:

• Difficulty breathing
• Chest pain
• Difficulty swallowing
• Pain caused by pressure on the nerves and spinal cord
• Accumulation of fluid in the chest (pleural effusion), which can compress the lung nearby and make breathing difficult

Prevention

Reducing your exposure to asbestos may lower your risk of mesothelioma.

Most people with mesothelioma were exposed to the asbestos fibers at work. Workers who may encounter asbestos fibers include:

• Asbestos miners
• Electricians
• Plumbers
• Pipefitters
• Insulators
• Shipyard workers
• Demolition workers
• Brake mechanics
• Selected military personnel
• Home remodelers

Treatment

• Surgery
• Chemotherapy
• Radiation therapy
• Other treatments

Immunotherapy.

Targeted therapy.

Journal of Cancer Research and Immuno-Oncology is an open access rapid peer reviewed journal in the field of cancer research. Journal announces papers for the upcoming issue. Interested can submit their manuscript through online portal.

Submit manuscript at https://www.longdom.org/submissions/cancer-research-immuno-oncology.html or send as an e-mail attachment to the Editorial Office at cancerresearch@clinicalres.org

Media contact:

Maegan Smith

Managing Editor

Journal of Cancer Research and Immuno-Oncology

Mail ID: cancerresearch@clinicalres.org

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