A person who has mesothelioma has had or is at risk of having asbestos exposure. Some types of mesothelioma, however, are not caused by asbestos exposure but by exposure to the asbestos fibers themselves.
Mesothelioma is usually caused by years of asbestos exposure in manufacturing plants or while operating heavy machinery, such as air conditioners and boilers. While the majority of mesothelioma cases involve men, some women develop the disease, too. The incidence of women is usually much higher than the incidence of men.
Mesothelioma is usually diagnosed after symptoms have developed, which vary by person. For example, a person who has had mesothelioma for years may be able to describe what symptoms he or she has been experiencing for years. Symptoms can vary from case to case. It is possible to contract mesothelioma and not even know it, due to how it is diagnosed. If symptoms persist after treatment is administered, the diagnosis is made.
Some people who have developed mesothelioma do not have a particular medical condition that could have caused the disease. This is why some who develop mesothelioma will go on to have a miscarriage or have an ectopic pregnancy. Although there is no known cure for mesothelioma, some people who develop the disease after years of exposure to asbestos may be able to live reasonably normal lives. Many individuals have shown promising results, even after years of exposure to asbestos.
When doctors are conducting their examination of a patient who has developed mesothelioma, they will usually take blood tests to help determine whether the patient has the disease. Some of the blood tests will also help determine if there is a high risk of developing the disease in the future. If any of the tests show that a person is at high risk of developing mesothelioma, he or she will receive a detailed evaluation for the disease.
Asbestos exposure is generally considered to be the most common cause of mesothelioma. These patients will likely receive treatment for the disease. However, the treatment will not likely to cure the disease. In fact, while most mesothelioma patients can go on to lead relatively normal lives, some will still experience symptoms. For these patients, the goal is to alleviate the symptoms without curing the disease.
Some symptoms of mesothelioma include fever, excessive pain, difficulty breathing, blood clots, and long-term illness. The symptoms may be generalized, meaning that they affect the patient’s body and not just his or her lungs. In addition, some patients may experience headaches, nausea, vomiting, blood in the urine, and unexplained weight loss. For these patients, it is essential to get regular checkups and have their health monitored for the best outcome.
If the patient is diagnosed with mesothelioma, he or she will be given symptom management guidelines that will help him or her deal with the symptoms of the disease. In some cases, the treatment and the patient’s lifestyle will be altered to help alleviate the symptoms of mesothelioma. These patients should continue to seek treatment for the disease, just in case the symptoms never completely go away.
