Cancer is a disease one would want to abstain from at all costs, yet when it comes to its awareness, the majority lacks even the basic knowledge. Most of the time, cancer catches its victims entirely off guard as they can not relate the symptoms to something vicious like cancer. They do not see this disease creeping up its way, and its eventual diagnosis leaves the patients shell-shocked and grief-stricken. Even a common type of cancer can harvest such a response. Imagine the case of rare cancer! One such rare type is mesothelioma, which targets organ linings in our body. Though rare, mesothelioma has a high mortality rate, and no known treatment is successful in entirely abolishing it. It further intensifies the importance of having ground knowledge as getting prepared beforehand is always wiser.
So, look at some facts to understand the dynamics of the disease and adopt the right approach.
1. Asbestos Exposure is the Only Known Cause of Mesothelioma:
Asbestos is a silicate fiber that is chemical and heat resistant. Though currently illegal in many countries, it has widespread use in the construction and consumer industry due to its resilient nature. Asbestos becomes embedded in the organ linings and slowly develops cancers over the years. Many occupations are associated with the threat of asbestos exposure, especially where it is a raw material for manufacturing processes.
The owners were supposed to inform the workers about the health hazards of asbestos exposure as it can be life-threatening. However, many failed to do so. If you are a victim of this negligence, you can use your legal right and file a claim. You can receive compensation from mesothelioma trust funds, which the companies developed for the victims due to their bankruptcy. The amount would be a relief as it can shoulder the burden of your treatment costs. So do not struggle in this battle alone and claim your due share for the damage done to your body.
2. Mesothelioma Affects the Lining of Various Body Organs:
Unlike most cancers, mesothelioma does not only occur in a single organ. It targets the linings of multiple organs, depending upon which it has four types:
- Pleural Mesothelioma: It is the most common mesothelioma, accounting for 75%-80% of the total cases. The cause of pleural mesothelioma is asbestos inhalation as it migrates and settles in the lining of the chest cavity called pleura. It leads to irritation in the surrounding tissue, which may cause the cells to mutate and then dominate over the years. The symptoms specific to this type include shortness of breath, persistent coughing, hoarseness, difficulty in swallowing, pleural effusion, and pain in the chest. Pleural mesothelioma is most often confused and misdiagnosed with lung cancer. So, play safe and remember to take a second opinion on the diagnosis.
- Peritoneal Mesothelioma: Caused by asbestos ingestion, this cancer targets the tissue lining surrounding the abdomen known as the peritoneum. The symptoms include abdominal distention, bowel obstruction, and constant heaviness. It sums up to less than 20% of the total mesothelioma cases.
- Pericardial Mesothelioma: It occurs in the heart’s lining, known as the pericardium. It is a rare form of mesothelioma, comprising only 1% of the reported mesothelioma cases. The symptoms resemble the ones of other heart diseases, like palpitations, pain in the chest, sweating at night, etc. It makes the diagnosis difficult and usually at the terminal stage of cancer.
3. Mesothelioma Has a Long Latency Period:
Latency period refers to the time between exposure to the carcinogen and the onset of the first symptoms. Mesothelioma has a very long latency period that you might even forget if you had an asbestos exposure or not. It may take 20-50 years for mesothelioma to establish. After half a century gone by, asbestos exposure may be an insignificant detail for your mind, but that might not be the same for your body. So, try not to underestimate the seemingly minute details, as they can have life-changing consequences.
4. There are Limited Treatment Options for Mesothelioma:
Though not considered entirely curable, the therapies can considerably prolong the survival rates amongst the patients but are limited. The most common type of treatment, which 80% of the mesothelioma patients receive, is chemotherapy which increases the survival rate by three-folds. For pleural mesothelioma, less than 20% of the patients can undergo a tumor-removal surgery in which the surgeon removes the tumorous area of the pleura. It is usually for curative or palliative purposes. For peritoneal mesothelioma, HIPEC is the most effective treatment strategy: chemotherapy in combination with surgery. In most cases, the patient undergoes multiple therapies to shrink the tumor. However, the main problem reducing the efficacy of treatments is the late diagnosis of mesothelioma when the situation has spun out of control.
Conclusion:
Rare diseases tend to overpower our bodies as no one expects them to develop and, thus, escape the diagnosis. The same applies to mesothelioma. Due to overlapping symptoms and their rarity, doctors and patients confuse them with other closely-related diseases. Mesothelioma awareness is a helpful tool for its diagnosis and treatment. Even if one fails to prevent it, the knowledge can help you see matters clearly and negotiate effectively with your oncologist. It will help you brace yourself if the moment of unfortunate news arrives and navigate your way forward towards recovery.