Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma

Malignant pleural mesothelioma affects the lungs and is one of the three types of mesothelioma, a deadly cancer caused by direct exposure to asbestos. Each year, two thirds of pleural mesothelioma cases are diagnosed. The grim statistics should alert you to the silent slow killer.

Mesothelioma is a kind of cancer that is triggered by direct inhalation of asbestos. This substance is a fragrance-free and neutral colored substance that exists in majority of building materials. The key body organs such as the lungs, heart, and the abdominal organs are affected. The mesothelioma cancer types are not all harmful but there is one benign form which gets the lungs affected. Sixty-six percent of the three thousand latest cases of mesothelioma diagnoses are found to be malignant pleural mesothelioma.

The pleural area is believed to be the first point of attack where the disease will focus into. However, pleural mesothelioma has said to have no type of benign form. Once a tumor develops within the lung area, it will greatly affect the protective membranes of pleural cells of your lungs and the chest cavity. The lungs breathe with the help of pleural tissues by emitting a lubricating fluid that shields the lungs from the chest ribs. They expand fast to nearby organs and tissues, not to mention the pain being caused and other harsh symptoms when the pleura gets invaded by the malignant cells.

Unfortunately, there has never been any identified initial symptom of the disease. Indications such as pains on chest, constant coughs, or shortness of breath are not related immediately with the disease frequently delaying the diagnosis. Patients would complain on experiencing fever, night sweats, and unexplained weight loss most of the time. Other patients will not experience any symptoms but fluid build-up will sometimes get reflected on their chest X-rays, called as pleural effusion. This can happen to both of your lungs but would normally commence on the right lung.

Studies have shown that this disease can hit individuals at any age and have an effect on men five times more than women. On the other hand, Caucasians are more inclined to acquire the disease than African Americans. The disease will manifest when people reach their fifties or seventies, a number of years after they have taken in or got exposed to asbestos.

Construction workers such as pipe fitters, roofers, insulators, building and house painters, electrical technicians, and building technicians are very much susceptible to acquiring the disease most especially if they had been in direct contact with asbestos. Asbestos-free materials used for construction were available way back. During the 50s and early 70s, construction workers who have been exposed to the substance will most likely suffer with the disease years later even they have switched on to a better working environment. The said disease is fittingly expressed as a slow silent killer.

It was identified that no medications are there to avoid malignant pleural mesothelioma. You have to take preventive measures by inviting an expert on asbestos to make sure that there is no substance present in your own house. Home appliances such as the stove top, telephone, fire-resistant rugs and other appliances would have asbestos.

Never handle asbestos. If your house has been found that asbestos is present then let them do their work by having it removed. Check carefully that your neighbors or nearby surrounding do not work with asbestos. If anyone close to you is working with asbestos, this increases the probability of you being contaminated as it clings to the skin and clothes effortlessly. It is recommended not to rent old apartment buildings as these would have paint, asbestos insulation, or wirings. The use of asbestos is no longer widespread these days but it will always be best to be careful and prevent possible contact with the said substance.

Do you want to learn about asbestos cancer mesothelioma plus learn about the treatment of mesothelioma. Find out about law and getting treatment for your disease