Mesothelioma is a benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous) tumor of the mesothelium that is commonly caused by asbestos. Asbestos, although not the topic of this paper, is a fiberlike material that was used in construction materials to provide more strength and heat resistance. Any exposure to asbestos can be harmful and cause problems later in life. The chance of having problems due to asbestos is the same for all people regardless of their age, sex, race, etc. All are at risk of cancer and other diseases due to their exposure to asbestos.
How common is mesothelioma? According to Mesothelioma.com, it occurs in 14 cases out of every 1 million each year, but it is also becoming more and more common. Men over 60 years old have the greatest tendency to be diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is typically due to exposure to construction materials at some point in their lifetime.
The symptoms of mesothelioma are typically pain in the lower back, pain in the side of the chest, and shortness of breath. For a better description of the symptoms please see the more qualified information that can be found on Mesothelioma.com.
There are three different systems used to classify the stages of mesothelioma. Those systems are the Butchart System, the TNM System, and the Brigham System. The diagnosing is normally done with a tissue biopsy, but can also be done with x-rays, CT scans, and MRIs.
As with most cancers, mesothelioma is treated with one or some combination of chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation. Mesotheliomaweb.org also notes that photodynamic therapy, immunotherapy, and gene therapy are also being used in some cases.
The final takeaway is that mesothelioma is a serious condition and it should not be treated lightly. If you think you are experiencing symptoms, then get in to a doctor and get it checked out. Your health is important and your doctor will be able to help you or get you in touch with someone who can.
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