Malignant mesothelioma: What is malignant mesothelioma cancer? Know its symptoms, causes and treatment
In the year 2020, 1,392,179 cancer patients were registered in India. Most of these figures were cancer patients of Breast, Lung, Mouth, Cervix and Uterus.
This information was published by The Journal of the American Medical Association.
At the same time there are some cancers which are quite rare and this includes mesothelioma cancer.
Let us share complete information about mesothelioma cancer with you here.
What is malignant mesothelioma cancer?
Malignant mesothelioma is a type of cancer that attacks the thin layer of tissue. Cancerous cells that form in thin layers of tissue often spread to internal organs.
Malignant mesothelioma cancer is a very dangerous cancer. There are different types of this cancer which starts in the tissue, as it spreads to different internal organs like Lungs, Abdomen, Heart or Testicles.
The treatment of this rare cancer is possible, but on getting information in its initial stage.
That’s why it is important to understand the symptoms of any disease, so that treatment can be started as soon as possible.
What are the symptoms of malignant mesothelioma?
The symptoms of malignant mesothelioma can vary, as it is a cancer that occurs in different parts of the body.
According to the infected organ, the symptoms of malignant mesothelioma can be the following. As:
Pleural mesothelioma starts in the tissue around the lungs and its symptoms are-
- Having chest pain.
- Feeling pain while coughing.
- Feeling shortness of breath.
- Lumps of tissue forming in the inner part of the chest.
- Unexplained weight loss without any reason.
These are the symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. At the same time, the symptoms of abdominal mesothelioma can be different.
When there is a problem of mesothelioma in the abdominal tissue, it is called peritoneal mesothelioma in the medical term. Its symptoms are as follows-
- Abdominal pain.
- Abdominal swelling.
- Nausea feeling.
- Unexplained weight loss without any reason.
Symptoms can be felt when malignant mesothelioma cancer cells attack the tissue around the abdomen.
The problem of malignant mesothelioma cancer cells around the tissue of the heart is called pericardial mesothelioma in the medical term and its symptoms are as follows. As:
- Breathing difficulty.
- Feeling of chest pains.
If malignant mesothelioma cancer cells spreading in different parts of the body make their place in the tissue of Vagina or Testicles, then its symptoms can be seen as follows. As:
- Swelling in the infected area.
- To become a mass.
These symptoms point towards malignant mesothelioma cancer. Although these symptoms may also seem like normal symptoms, but these symptoms should not be ignored.
What are the causes of malignant mesothelioma?
Asbestos is believed to be the main cause of mesothelioma.
People who work in an asbestos factory or have high exposure to it are more likely to develop malignant mesothelioma cancer.
This cancer also takes a long time to develop. In such a situation, if you are understanding its symptoms, then contact the doctor as soon as possible.
According to a published report in the American Cancer Society, 80 percent of malignant mesothelioma cancer patients have started this problem due to asbestos exposure.
How is malignant mesothelioma diagnosed?
For the diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma, doctors first of all understand the patient’s symptoms and their medical history and recommend getting the following tests done.
These tests include-
Imaging Scans- Chest X-ray, PET scan, CT scan and MRI are recommended during this test. This test gives information about the fluid present around the lungs.
- Blood Tests – Information about mesothelioma cancer can be obtained from blood tests.
- Biopsies – Biopsy tests are done for information about mesothelioma cancer. During this test, a tissue sample is taken.
- Staging – Staging is done to understand the stage of cancer.
Based on the reports of these different tests and keeping in mind the medical history of the patient and the severity of the disease, the doctor starts the treatment of malignant mesothelioma.
How is malignant mesothelioma treated?
Treatment of mesothelioma cancer is done keeping in mind the stage of cancer and in which organ of the body the cancer cell has spread.
When cancer spreads in the tissue, it is treated in the following way. As:
- Surgery – The help of surgery is taken to remove the fluid or tumor spread in the infected area.
- Chemotherapy – Chemotherapy can be used to stop the spread of cancer cells.
- Radiation therapy – If radiation therapy is taken after surgery to eliminate cancer cells.
above mentioned treats
Apart from these above mentioned treatments, the following options can be adopted for treatment if required. As:
- Immunotherapy – The help of immunotherapy can be taken to make the immune system fight cancer cells.
- Targeted therapy- With the help of drugs, an attempt can be made to eliminate cancer cells.
can be treated with these above methods.
On the other hand, if the patient is suffering from any other disease, then it is also taken into consideration during the treatment.
If there is difficulty in breathing and asbestos exposure is also high, then it is very important to consult a doctor in such a situation.
If information about any cancer is found in the early stage, then it can be easy to eliminate cancer cells.
On the other hand, if carelessness is taken then the situation can become serious.
Therefore, do not ignore the problems occurring in the body and contact the doctor as soon as possible.
