Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a kind of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos.Malignant cells develop in the Mesothelium which is a protective lining that covers most of the internal organs.Most common site of occurrence is the outer lining of the lungs and internal chest wall.But it can also occur in the Peritoneum,pericardium or tunica vaginalis.Most of the times this occurs in persons who inhale Asbestos particles.Though there is no realtionship between Mesotheliomine and smoking,it can increase the risk of developing other asbestos related Cancer.

Signs and Symptoms:

Symptoms of Mesothelioma may appear after 20 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos.
Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma:

1.Weigh loss and caehexia
2.Abdominal swelling and pain due to accumilation of fluid in the abdomin which is known as ascites
3.Bowel abstention
4.Blood clotting abnormalities
5.Anemia or bloodlessness and fever.

Symptoms of pleural Mesothelioma :

1.Pain in the chest
2.Fluid accumulation surrounding the Lung
3.Breathlessness
4.tiredness and Anemia
5.Cough
6.Blood in the sputum
7.As the condition progresses patient may develop many tumors,pnermothorax or collapse of the lungs.The disease may metastasize {spread to other parts of the body}

In severe cases symptoms like :
1.Blood clots in veins may cause thrombophlebits.
2.Severe bleeding in many organs.
3.Jaundice
4.Pleural effusion.
5.Low blood sugar.
6.Pulmonary emboli(blood clot) in the arteries of the lungs.

Diagnosis:
Diagnosis of Mesothelioma is often difficult because similar symptoms may occur in a number of other conditions.A history of exposure to asbestos may lead to suspicious to mesothelioma.
a.A physical examination is made.b.A chest x-ray and lung fimetion tests are made.
Pleural thickening may occur after asbestos exposure.It increases the suspicion of mesothelioma.
c.AET scan or MRI may be performed.If large amount of fluids are present abnormal cells may be detected by cytology.For pleural tap,in ascites with ascitic drain ,in pericardial effusion pericardiocentesis.
If cytology is positive a biopsy is required to confirm mesothelioma.If the cancer suspected in lungs the biopsy may be done through thoracscopy.If the cancer is in the abdomen laparoscopy may be performed.