What Does Mesothelioma Look Like?

Mesothelioma is cancer of the mesothelium, the membrane that covers the body's internal organs. Mesothelioma can occur in any one of the four major types of human mesothelium: the pleura, which surrounds the lungs; the peritoneum, which surrounds the organs located in the abdomen; and the tunicas vaginalis testis and the tunica serosa uteri which surround and protect the reproductive organs of men and women, respectively. Pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma are overwhelmingly the most common types of mesothelium cancers.

Asbestos exposure is the single most prevalent cause of mesothelioma. The asbestos, which often breaks into tiny airborne particles during manufacturing or handling, can be inhaled into the lungs or mouth and may embed itself in the pleura or peritoneum, causing cancerous cells to develop in the individual after a number of years. Asbestos has also been definitively linked with a number of cancers other than mesothelioma. People who work mining asbestos and in the production of products that utilize asbestos, including insulation, roof shingles, cement, and textiles have a much greater chance of developing mesothelioma than a member of the general population. In addition, the family members of a person who regularly works with asbestos also runs a greater chance of developing mesothelioma since asbestos fibers and dust may travel home on the clothes and skin. Scientists remain uncertain about the cause of mesothelioma in people who have not had obvious contact with asbestos.

A person suffering from mesothelioma, will in the early stages of the disease, only suffer from a number of general symptoms, such as fatigue, loss of appetite, and weight loss. As the cancer progresses, however, the symptoms will begin to become specific to the tissue that is affected. If the person is suffering from pleural mesothelioma, they may become short of breath, develop a persistent cough, and experience chest pain. In addition, their voice may become inexplicably hoarse. Individuals suffering from peritoneal mesothelioma may begin to experience pain and swelling in their abdomen, difficulty passing bowel movements, anemia, and abnormalities with blood clotting. None of these earlier symptoms are obviously visible to the eye; however, if the mesothelioma progresses unchecked and metastasizes (spreads throughout the body), the sufferer's face and neck may become swollen and they may have difficulty swallowing.

Mesothelioma diagnosis usually occurs in four stages. First, at an initial examination, a physician will determine if the patient has had any history of asbestos exposure. Next, scans--most likely xrays, CAT scans, or an MRI--will be performed to give the physician a look at the affected area. A biopsy will then be performed to determine if mesothelioma is indeed the culprit. If it is, the last phase of diagnosis is staging: determining as precisely as possible how far the cancer has spread in the body and where.

There are three main treatment options available for mesothelioma patients: surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Unfortunately, by the time most mesothelioma cases are diagnosed, the cancer has spread too far to make surgery a viable option. While both radiation therapy and chemotherapy are able to give mesothelioma sufferers a better quality of life, researchers are still working on a more effective treatment for this deadly disease.