Mesothelioma
Livi Eitzman
What is it?
Mesothelioma is lung cancer. The cavities within the body
encompassing the chest, abdomen, and heart are surround by
a membrane of cells known as the mesothelium. Mesothelial
cells assist in general organ functions. The mesothelium is
particularly important to organs that are commonly in motion,
such as expansion or contraction of the lungs, stomach, or
heart. Lubrication from the mesothelial cells allows free range
of motion within the body. The mesothelium of the chest,
abdomen, and cardiac cavity are called the pleura
Malignancies (cancerous tumors) occurring within the
mesothelial membranes are known as mesothelioma. Benign
tumors of the mesothelium are known to occur, but are much
rarer than the more common malignant cancer.
Causes
The primary cause and risk factor for mesothelioma is
exposure to asbestos.. Asbestos is a microscopic and
naturally-occurring mineral that lodges in the pleural lining of
the lungs and the peritoneal lining of the abdominal cavity.
This cancer is much more common in men over the age of 60
which is largely attributed to the industrial exposures within
male-dominated industries during wwII, and It can take up to
60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos. Mesothelioma
in women and children has been found as well. Mesothelioma
causes for diagnosis in women and children are mainly
attributed to secondary exposure to asbestos, as it was not
uncommon for men to bring asbestos back into the home on
their body or clothing if proper cleaning facilities were not
available on site.
Detecting it
Mesothelioma can be a difficult malignancy to diagnose
because the symptoms and pathology of the disease
closely resemble other respiratory conditions. For this
reason, misdiagnosis is not uncommon in mesothelioma
patients. Diagnostic surgeries, including a biopsy, will
typically be required to determine the type of malignant
cells that are present in the body. Typically a body
imaging scan, including a magnetic resonance image
(MRI) or computer topography (CT scan) will be required
to determine the extent and location of the disease.
Mesothelioma patients are generally referred by their
personal physicians to one of the many renowned
mesothelioma doctors called oncologists.
Stages
•
Stage 1 Mesothelioma: In Stage 1 the tumor is localized, there is no lymph node involvement and
the cancer has not spread to other organs or tissues. In this case, the cancer is likely restricted to
one side of the pleura and surgical removal is possible. Symptoms of this stage usually do not
appear until the cancer has progressed. In general, individuals with Stage 1 mesothelioma show no
noticeable symptoms of their illness. However, some early indications may be chest or abdominal
pain and fatigue. Stage 1 patients had a typical prognosis of 24 months.
•
Stage 2 Mesothelioma: In Stage 2, the tumor is larger and has invaded the lung or diaphragm.
Lymph nodes may also be involved. In this case, surgical resection may be possible though the
cancer has likely spread to both sides of the pleura. There is a survival average of 16 months. Some
Stage 2 patients lived for years after diagnosis.
•
Stage 3 Mesothelioma: In Stage 3, mesothelioma has invaded a single region or area such as the
chest wall, esophagus, lymph nodes and surgical resection is generally ruled out as an effective
treatment.
•
Stage 4 Mesothelioma: In Stage 4, mesothelioma has invaded multiple regions such as different
areas of the chest wall, the diaphragm and/or the pericardium. Lymph glands are also involved and
the cancer has spread to other organ tissue and even blood or bone cells. Surgical removal provides
no value in this case as the disease has likely metastasized well beyond its origin. There is a 6.9
month life expectancy.
Effect On Body
Symptoms of mesothelioma include chest pain,
chronic cough, effusions of the chest and
abdomen, and the presence of blood in lung
fluid.
Possible Treatments
There is no reliable cure for this disease. Treatment decisions depend on
whether the cancer is localized to the chest or has spread to the chest wall,
diaphragm, or lymph nodes, age and overall health, and the center of
treatment. As with most solid tumors, doctors turn to surgery, radiation and
chemotherapy to manage mesothelioma. Only about 1 in 5 patients with
metastatic pleural mesothelioma undergo surgery. There are two main
surgeries: pleurectomy/decortication, in which the surgeon tries to remove as
much of the tumor from around the lung as possible, and the more radical
extrapleural pneumonectomy, in which the lung itself is removed. There is a
lot of debate as to which is “best”, most long-term survivors have had surgery,
but there is no difference in survival rates between the two surgeries. Part of
the reason is that the cancer has often spread to other parts of the body by
the time it is diagnosed even if it appears to be confined to the chest. At
some point, the management of the disease will shift from trying to cure the
disease to trying to keep the patient as comfortable as possible for as long as
possible.
Possible Cure
A pair of scientists at California Pacific Medical
Center in San Francisco has found that a compound
derived from marijuana could stop metastasis in
many kinds of aggressive cancer, potentially altering
the fatality of the disease forever. "What we found
was that his Cannabidiol could essentially 'turn off'
the cancer cells. The cells stopped spreading and
returned to normal." Cannabidiol works with many
kinds of aggressive cancers. It is non-psychoactive,
does not cause the "high" associated with THC.
Prevention
Factory managers and owners can make sure
there is no asbestos particles in their factory.
This cancer is highly preventable now that
scientists know the main cause.
Additional Information
Mesothelioma is one the most tragic and horrible
of all the cancers. It is one hundred percent fatal
and the only way to live longer than an average of a
few years is to undergo surgery, particularly
removing the cancerous lung. This makes living
extremely difficult and traumatic. Many have lost
loved ones to this cancer. This is almost entirely due
to working in an environment containing asbestos
particles and take about 60 years to develop even
though detecting it is very difficult since
mesothelioma mimics signs of other cancers,
Support Group
cancercenter.com is a place where those
diagnosed with cancer can chat online about
their experiences and share ideas and vent to
those that understand.
Citations
http://www.mesothelioma.com/treatment/#ixzz2DTmB
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/19/marijuanaand-cancer_n_1898208.html
http://www.asbestos.com/mesothelioma/stage-1.php
http://www.mesothelioma.com/mesothelioma/stages/
http://www.mesothelioma.com/treatment/#ixzz2DTm4Ui