You’re feeling more tired than usual, have to stop to catch your breath just after a short run to catch the bus, you’re experiencing coughs, possibly accompanied by blood. These might be symptoms of a variety of diseases and infections, but can also be the signs of a cancer called mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is almost always caused by previous exposure to asbestos, which forces the cells of the mesothelium to malfunction, making the tissue cancerous. The mesothelium, which is composed of a single layer of cube-shaped cells, covers most of the body's internal organs, the thoracic cavity, the abdominal cavity and the pericardium (the sac that surrounds the heart). It also acts as a layer of protective tissue on the reproductive organs of both men and women. Deposits of asbestos fibers between and inside the cells of the mesothelium cause these to malfunction. The information inside the cells’ nucleus is modified, and like in most cases of cancer, the malfunctioning cells start reproducing uncontrollably, at an increased rate.

In the early stages, mesothelioma is localized, which means it only occurs in the direct spot which was affected, however, it is classified as advanced if it has spread to the other parts of the body (usually through the bloodstream) , such as lymph nodes or abdominal organs.
The early and visible symptoms cannot be used to detect the cancer, and because of this, mesothelioma is sometimes ignored and left untreated until the symptoms aggravate. Symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos.

Symptoms of thoracic mesothelioma include shortness of breath and pain in the chest due to an accumulation of fluid in the thoracic cavity (lungs). Symptoms of abdominal mesothelioma include weight loss, abdominal pain and swelling due to a buildup of fluid in the abdomen. If the cancer has spread beyond the mesothelium to other parts of the body, symptoms may include pain, trouble swallowing, or swelling of the neck or face. The above symptoms may be caused by mesothelioma or by other, less serious conditions. It is important to see a doctor about any of these symptoms. Only a doctor can make a proper diagnosis.

Treatment for mesothelioma depends on the location of the cancer, the stage of the disease, and the patient’s age and general health. Standard treatment options include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Sometimes, these treatments are combined.
Through surgery part of the lining of the chest or abdomen and some of the tissue around it are removed.
Radiation therapy, also called radiotherapy, involves the use of high-energy rays to kill cancer cells. Radiation therapy affects the cancer cells only in the treated area.
Chemotherapy is the use of anticancer drugs to kill cancer cells throughout the body. Most drugs used to treat mesothelioma are administered intravenously. Doctors are also studying the effectiveness of introducing chemotherapeutic drugs directly into the chest or abdomen, a procedure which is called intracavitary chemotherapy.

Despite the fact that reported incidence rates have increased in the past 20 years, mesothelioma is still a relatively rare cancer. The incidence is approximately one per 1,000,000. As a source for comparison, populations with high levels of smoking can have a lung cancer incidence of over 1,000 per 1,000,000.
All in all, don’t worry too much about getting mesothelioma, unless you’ve inhaled asbestos particles. However, even at the slightest suspicion of having the cancer, see a doctor immediately, as the faster the cancer is detected, the smaller the chances of it spreading, and the bigger the chances of treating it.

Article Source: http://www.articleset.com