"Mesothelioma Information"

Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive form of cancer that is becoming more common as per recent statistics all over the world. The cells lining the body’s cavities that surrounding the lungs, heart and abdomen are infiltrated by cancerous cells causing Mesothelioma.

Asbestos the major risk factor

The direct and secondary exposure to asbestos has been shown to the major risk factor for Mesothelioma. The fibrous metamorphic minerals namely chrysolite, tremolite, actinolite, amosite, crocidolite and anthophyllite form the asbestos group.

This miracle mineral has been widely used as an insulator in many places since time immemorial and its link with the disease has been established as early as 1960’s.

In nature the chrysolite (or white) asbestos is known to be the safest and tremolite has been used in some brands of talcum powder. The remaining four types called amphibole minerals are made of straight needle-like fibers and used in various industries. These fibres can end up in the linings of the body cavity in unprotected industrial workers, construction workers and miners by various routes. The family members and others living with asbestos workers are also at increased risk due to the asbestos dust brought home on the clothing and hair of the workers.

Other causes

Mesothelioma is also not a contagious or an inherited disease. Smoking and prior exposure to the known cause also increases the persons risk for mesothelioma and other types of lung cancer.

Mesothelioma occasionally develops in people never exposed to the known cause. In rare cases the disease develops in people who have been exposed to radiation or to certain minerals closely related to asbestos. Exposure to radiation from thorium dioxide (Thorotast) that was used until 1950’s in X-ray tests have shown to be one of the reasons for the development of mesothelioma.

Scientists also think that SV40 (simian virus) may act as a cofactor if already exposed to any of the major risk factors. It is far less important risk factor than asbestos and doesn’t cause disease on its own.

In Turkey there are reports to show that a mineral called Zeolite may cause mesothelioma.

Mesotheiloma is relatively an uncommon type of cancer of the protective sac of the body’s internal organs. The critical element in mesothelioma prognosis and life expectancy is the stage of diagnosis and mesothelioma is also difficult to “stage”.

It is common to hear 5 year survival from oncologists which relates to the proportion of people who are alive 5 years after diagnosis. There is also no statistics to forecast what will happen as each type of mesothelioma is unique.

The rate of the growth or the spread of the cancer cells are not the same in different people and longterm survivors have also been reported. Hence there should be many individual factors that determine the treatment and prognosis of mesothelioma.

The prognosis is usually determined by the performance status which is based on the ability of a persons ability to take care of himself. If you are able to take care of yourself a score of ZERO is given and greater the help required the greater the score.

Mesothelioma prognosis also depends on other critical factors like the size of the tumor and possibility of removal, whether it is newly diagnosed or has it recurred, type of mesothelioma cells and the blood counts.

Normal haemoglobin and white blood count individuals perform better. The above things are very much relevant since better the fitness the ability to withstand the symptoms and treatment increases.

Call your doctor promptly for your loved ones to evaluated and get to know about the prognosis of mesothelioma.