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Putting Mesothelioma Into Perspective
By Adrian Zhu, Fri Dec 9th
Mesothelioma is an uncommon form of cancer, usually associatedwith previous exposure to asbestos. Of course, saying it'suncommon is hardly comforting to someone dealing with thiscancer or who has a loved one suffering from it. In thisdisease, cancerous cells develop in the mesothelium, which is aprotective lining that covers most internal organs of the body.Its most common site is the outer lining of the lungs and chestcavity, known as the pleura, but it may also occur in the liningof the abdominal cavity, called the peritoneum or a sac thatsurrounds the heart, called the pericardium. These sensitivetissues become very irritated as a result of the cancer'sprogression. The most common reason people develop mesothelioma is fromasbestos exposure with those who have worked on jobs where theyinhaled asbestos particles. Some flooring adhesives alsocontained asbestos fibers and even pipe insulation was made withasbestos for a time. People exposed to these fibers have agreater risk of developing this cancer, but it is not acertainty. Mesothelioma clinical symptoms may not appear until 30 to 50years after exposure to asbestos. This increased thedifficulties associated in legal claims because the time betweenthe exposure and the disease was so long. (Article continued below)
Shortness of breath and pain in the chest are often symptoms ofpleural mesothelioma. mesothelioma clinical symptomsinclude weight loss and muscle wasting. Abdominal swelling andpain due to a buildup of fluid in the abdominal cavity are alsocommon symptoms associated with mesothelioma. Otherclinical symptoms of
mesothelioma may include bowelobstruction, blood clotting abnormalities, anemia, and fever. Asthe cancer spreads beyond the mesothelium, symptoms may includepain, trouble swallowing, or swelling of the neck or face. Thesesymptoms may be caused by mesothelioma or by other, less seriousconditions and should always be evaluated by a medicalprofessional for a proper diagnosis. As there is no universally agreed protocol for screening peoplewho have been exposed to asbestos, early detection is difficult.Discuss any possible risk factors you may have with a doctor ifyou believe you may have been exposed to asbestos. Biologically, asbestos fibres have been shown to alter thefunction macrophages, which are specialized cells of the immunesystem. This ultimately creates conditions which favor thedevelopment of mesothelioma. Macrophages generate increasedamounts of hydroxyl radicals, which are normal by-products ofcellular anaerobic metabolism. However, these free radicals arealso known as clastogenic and membrane-active agents thought topromote the carcinogenic effect of asbestos. These free radicalscan participate in the oncogenic process by directly andindirectly interacting with DNA, modifying membrane-associatedcellular events, including oncogene activation and perturbationof cellular antioxidant defenses. Because of these factors,healthy levels of dietary antioxidants may improve the bodilycapacity to manage the progression of these free radicaleffects, but it should be noted that nutrition is not regardedas medical intervention for this disease and dietaryimprovements should be viewed as complimentary benefit byproperly nourishing the body and avoiding the more common andmore harmful foods which are so common in the average diet inindustrialized countries. Asbestos may also possess immunosuppressive properties and is anissue which is under great study. Again diets, that promoteproper immune function may provide some benefit to a person atrisk, or deal with the effects of mesothelioma, but it is notconsidered medical intervention by any means. About the author:Adrian Zhu is an author writing forhttp://www.mybest-mesothelioma-pages.com | 