Mesothelioma causes seem to change from year to year, with each year bringing a different type of health issue. In this article we will examine the three most common forms of this cancer. Since the number of cases is on the rise, this information is also a good idea for doctors and patients who may not know where to turn.
Peritoneal mesothelioma – This form of cancer is the second most common form of mesothelioma, behind only pleural mesothelioma. It affects the abdominal area, the chest wall, the diaphragm, the peritoneum, and the esophagus. The symptoms are mainly chest pain and difficulty breathing. Symptoms may vary depending on the location of the tumor and how far removed it is from the lungs or windpipe.
Pancreatic cancer – This form of cancer is most commonly seen in smokers who are at risk due to family history. Symptoms include difficulty in swallowing, loss of appetite, jaundice, weight loss, nausea, loss of weight, diarrhea, vomiting, and chest pain. The most common symptoms in patients suffering from this type of cancer are vomiting, fatigue, loss of appetite, and excessive thirst.
Lung cancer – Also known as pleural mesothelioma, this form of cancer is most common in older men and women. In this form of cancer, the tumor is in the pleura, the tissue that surrounds the lungs. Symptoms are similar to those of pleural mesothelioma, but may be more generalized than with pleural mesothelioma.
Carcinoma of the pleura – A form of cancer that develops within the pleura and the chest wall, pleural carcinoma can occur in other parts of the body as well. This form of cancer is rare but does affect around twenty to thirty people in the US each year.
Mesothelioma causes of a few more types include lung, throat, neck, esophageal, thyroid, and peritoneal cancers. In addition, these types of cancer are sometimes referred to as “malignant pleural mesothelioma.”
So, with so many different causes of mesothelioma, it’s hard to know which one is going to strike you and which one is going to not. Though the dangers of asbestos have been well documented, and most people know of this, this kind of cancer is no less of a risk, and all cases are very treatable.
We don’t know how many more cases are in the pipeline, but recent increases in awareness, cases of the disease, and research into its causes should make you feel better, knowing that things like this are more likely to come your way. Hopefully, this information will help you understand more about the condition, so that you’ll be able to better fight it.
