Tuesday, July 28, 2009

The Silent & Slow Killer: Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma

By David Horton

There are three types of Mesothelioma, one of which is malignant pleural mesothelioma that is known to have an impact on the lungs. It is a type of incurable cancer caused by direct contact with the substance called asbestos. Every year, total diagnoses would have about two thirds of pleural mesothelioma cases. The shocking statistics should make you vigilant and attentive on this silent slow killer.

An unscented and monochrome substance in nearly all building materials causes asbestos cancer mesothelioma. A cancer triggered by the breathing of asbestos which has an effect on the main body organs like the heart, lungs, heart and the abdominal organs. Mesothelioma types are not all harmful although there is one benign form of the disease which directly damages the lungs. There are three thousand new cases of mesothelioma being filed annually. Sixty-six percent of these diagnoses correspond to malignant pleural mesothelioma of these diagnoses.

The pleural area is the first attack point of the disease. Pleural mesothelioma has no benign form. When a tumor grows near the lungs, it affects the lungs' and the chest cavity's protective membranes or pleural cells. The pleural tissues help the lungs breathe by secreting a lubricating fluid that protects the lungs from the ribs of the chest. When the malignant cells invade the pleura, they quickly spread to surrounding tissues and organs and cause pain and other severe symptoms.

There are no known classic early symptoms of the disease. Symptoms such as chest pains, persistent cough, or shortness of breath are not quickly associated with the disease often causing delayed diagnosis. Oftentimes, patients complain of fever, night sweats, and unexplained weight loss. Some patients do not show any symptoms but their chest X-rays show fluid build-up doctors call pleural effusion. The effusion can occur in both lungs but it usually starts on the right lung.

Pleural mesothelioma may happen at any point in anyone's life regardless of age. Men have known to have a higher probability of getting infected than women. In fact, they are affected 5 times more than women. Studies have also revealed that Caucasians are more susceptible to acquire the disease than African Americans. The said disease will manifest when patients are already in their fifties or seventies, after a number of years they have breathed in or were directly in contact with asbestos.

Building technicians, Pipe fitters, insulators, building and house painters, roofers and electrical technicians can easily acquire the disease if they had been in contact with asbestos. Years back, there were asbestos-free construction materials available in construction shops. Construction workers during the 50s or early 70s may have been exposed directly to the substance and the effects will manifest years later despite of them changing their work surroundings. The disease is appropriately explained as a slow silent killer.

There are no known vitamins to prevent the malignant pleural mesothelioma. Preventive measures like having an asbestos expert check your home for the presence of the substance can alert you to its presence. Asbestos can be in your stove top, telephone, some appliances, and fire-resistant rugs.

Do not handle asbestos. It is a common cause of mesothelioma. If an asbestos expert detects the presence of asbestos in your home let an expert remove it. Do not live with someone or near someone, who works with asbestos. This increases the chances of contamination because asbestos can easily cling to the skin and clothes. Do not rent old apartment buildings. These have asbestos insulation, wirings, and paint. However, at the present, asbestos is no longer prevalent but it is better to be sure than sorry later.

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