Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that mainly affects the chest and abdomen areas. It usually starts in the mesothelium, which is the connective tissue between the lungs and the heart. Normally, this connective tissue does not cause any problems. But when it gets damaged, this can cause serious problems for the person who has it.
The lungs are very porous and they contain a lot of blood vessels that carry oxygen to the different parts of the body. When the asbestos fibers get inside the lung, these blood vessels become damaged and thus the oxygen which is needed by the other parts of the body gets blocked. As the process goes on, more damaged cells build up until the individual develops mesothelioma. At times, there are no symptoms at all. This is the reason why this disease is sometimes difficult to detect.
In rare cases, people who have been exposed to asbestos may develop mesothelioma. There are many factors which can lead to the development of this disease.
Mesothelioma is very hard to diagnose because of the fact that it involves the lungs. This is one of the most neglected parts of the body because it is seen as a symptom of something else. Thus, it is only when a tumor grows to a large size and creates some kind of damage to the affected area that it is diagnosed as mesothelioma.
It is very important that the person with mesothelioma visit a doctor who can perform a complete examination of the actual site where the cancer was first discovered. One of the reasons why mesothelioma can be missed is because of the presence of the area’s signs and symptoms. Once a doctor gets to know about the specific symptoms and signs of mesothelioma, he can make an appropriate diagnosis.
On the other hand, doctors can also help in distinguishing between mesothelioma symptoms and those which are caused by some other causes. Some of the symptoms include difficulty in breathing, pain and difficulty in swallowing. Other signs and symptoms include inflammation of the respiratory tract, which can be found in the skin or in the neck.
In some cases mesothelioma can also be detected after undergoing a thorough physical examination. Although doctors can determine the symptoms and signs of mesothelioma, he cannot determine whether a person has the disease. In many cases, the patient is found to have a benign condition which can eventually result in a death.
Despite the fact that mesothelioma is very hard to detect, there are also some long term effects which are linked to the disease. For instance, one cannot remain active in any physical activity when he has been diagnosed with this disease because of the heavy pain caused by it.
