According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one of the most common leading causes of worldwide death is cancer. Cancer is a disease that occurs when abnormal cells start developing rapidly and uncontrollably. These abnormal body cells spread to other organs and attack them. There are various common cancers, including lungs, breast, skin, liver, stomach, etc. However, one of the rare types of cancer is mesothelioma.
A thin layer membrane called mesothelium covers most internal organs such as the abdomen, chest, etc. The primary function of this membrane is to allow organs to function correctly. Unfortunately, deadly cancer usually develops in this membrane. However, in mesothelioma disease, malignant cells start developing uncontrollably in this lining. These cancerous cells can affect the organ, stopping them from functioning correctly. Let us know more about it.
- Types And Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of this malignant disease vary with the type of mesothelioma. Below are three main types of this cancer:
- Pleural Mesothelioma
The lining of the lungs membrane is the main target of pleural mesothelioma. Common symptoms of this type consist of chest pain, unexplained weight loss, difficulty in breathing, coughing that causes pain, and fatigue.
- Peritoneal Mesothelioma
It affects the tissues surrounding your abdomen. You might suffer from abdominal pain and swelling due to this cancer. Some other signs include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation.
- Pericardial Mesothelioma
Pericardial mesothelioma is a rare type of mesothelioma. It primarily affects tissues around the heart. The symptom of this mesothelioma type includes heart palpitation, chest pain, fatigue, low blood pressure and breathing difficulty.
- Causes
Peritoneal mesothelioma alone affects about 600 Americans each year, thus making it vital to understand its causes. That way, you can save yourself and your loved ones from the deadly disease.
The primary reason for each type of mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. Almost 80% of mesothelioma cases are because of asbestos exposure. Asbestos is a group of six natural-occurring fibrous silicate minerals and can be found in soil or rocks anywhere in the world. These microscopic fibers are soft and flexible. Most construction and automotive industries use asbestos since they are highly resistant to heat, chemicals, and fire. However, inhaling and swallowing the asbestos fibers can irritate the lungs.
People who work in industries that use asbestos minerals have more chances of getting affected by this deadly cancer. However, you may also develop mesothelioma if any of your loved ones has asbestos exposure. It is because you might breathe the same air if they carry asbestos fiber in their clothing. While asbestos is the primary cause of mesothelioma, there might be some other non-asbestos causes, too. Below are a few other potential uncommon reasons for this malignant disease:
- Zeolites
Researchers have discovered asbestos-related chemical minerals, namely, zeolites as another cause of mesothelioma. Moreover, the unusually high mesothelioma incidence rates in the Turkish Cappodican region in the 1970s give scientists more reasons to research the cause of dangerous cancer. Studies proved that these areas have more erionite, a type of zeolite, causing higher rates of mesothelioma.
- Simian Virus 40 (SV40)
Preliminary research and studies have found a connection between SV40 and mesothelioma. Although this virus is not enough to cause mesothelioma; still, it can exalt the risks to the people exposed to asbestos previously. However, more research is essential in this area to prove a direct relation.
- How Does It Affect The Body?
Are you wondering how mesothelioma affects different organs of your body? Well, below is the detailed explanation:
- Brain
It is rare for mesothelioma to spread in the brain. However, mesothelioma brain metastasis exists in a minimal number of patients. Brain metastases may grow one or more tumors in the cerebellum, cerebral cortex, or brain stem. It may cause headaches, memory loss, or seizures. Other mesothelioma effects on the brain include confusion, depression, anxiety, forgetfulness, and lightheadedness.
- Heart
One of the rare and most complicated types of cancer to diagnose is pericardial mesothelioma. It is because it affects the heart the same way as any heart condition. Mesothelioma affects the pericardium, the protective lining of the heart. Since the fluid builds in the heart, the heart faces complications in working correctly. The survival of patients with this malignant disease is from six to ten months only.
- Lungs
One of the most common types is pleural mesothelioma that attacks the outer lining of the lungs. Due to this, patients usually suffer from respiratory issues. Moreover, pneumonia or bronchitis are more likely to cause infections in the lungs or airways. As a result, a patient may struggle to breathe correctly; excessive cough can lead to exhaustion and fatigue. Fluid building up between the chest and lungs also causes shortness of breath and chest pain.
- Stomach
Peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the lining of the abdomen, causing severe discomfort in the abdominal cavity. Due to this type of mesothelioma, a patient may suffer from weight loss, abdominal swelling, or distension. However, as cancer grows, a patient might get night sweats and fever.
Although there have been many treatments available to deal with this dangerous disease, the truth is mesothelioma is still not curable. Some common treatments for this disease include chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy. Moreover, one myth of this malignant disease is it is only a threat for older people. While there is no denying that 91% of mesothelioma cases are of aged people, there is a small percentage of young patients. Therefore, it is advisable to consult a professional at your earliest if you or your loved one experiences any of the symptoms linked to mesothelioma.