Mesothelioma cancer affects the inner linings of organs such as the lungs, heart, and abdomen. Around three-fourths of this condition’s cases are usually developed due to asbestos exposure, which starts in the chest cavity. In some instances, mesothelioma symptoms can also trigger around the heart and the abdominal cavity. And crucially, treatment for mesothelioma cancer needs to be prompt. Herein, we’ll briefly discuss the symptoms, causes, and stages of this condition.
Symptoms
Detecting or diagnosing mesothelioma cancer in its early stages is one of the biggest challenges owing to its similarity with other common conditions. Moreover, the symptoms of this condition worsen as the disease progresses. Hence, it is important to know certain signs and symptoms that might help categorize the type of mesothelioma cancer.
- Pleural mesothelioma
People with pleural mesothelioma experience symptoms like painful coughing, chest pain, shortness of breath, unexplained weight loss, and unusual tissue lumps under the skin on the chest. - Peritoneal mesothelioma
Peritoneal mesothelioma cancer patients usually exhibit signs and symptoms, including nausea, abdominal pain, fluid buildup, swelling, decreased appetite, fatigue, indigestion, and unexplained weight loss. - Pericardial mesothelioma
Common symptoms of this condition include breath shortness, pain in the chest, breathing troubles, fever, fatigue, and heart murmurs. - Testicular mesothelioma
This rare cancer causes fluid buildup between mesothelium layers in the scrotum. A lump may form under the sign on either or both the testicles.
Causes
Here are the most probable causes of mesothelioma cancer:
- Exposure to asbestos
Asbestos exposure is one of the major risk factors that can increase the risk of developing mesothelioma symptoms. Therefore, most patients diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer are people with continuous and prolonged exposure to materials containing asbestos.
Constant exposure to asbestos causes the inadvertent inhalation or swallowing of these fibers. Moreover, asbestos can get stuck in the mesothelium upon entering the body as they are made of microscopic particles and other minerals, leading to internal inflammation. The invasion of foreign particles damages the lung tissues, abdomen, and heart, leading to cancerous tumors. - Exposure to zeolites
Minerals like erionite contain zeolites that are chemically associated with asbestos. Clinical research also suggests that exposure to zeolites can increase mesothelioma cancer risk in these regions. - SV40 virus
According to some health experts, the infection caused due to simian virus 40 (SV40) can increase the risk of mesothelioma cancer. Some injectable polio vaccines administered during the late 1950s and early 1960s were reportedly contaminated with the virus; nearly 30 million people in the country were exposed. However, further research is underway to get substantial results that associate this virus with mesothelioma cancer. - Radiation
High doses of radiation exposure in the abdomen or chest cause mesothelioma cancer symptoms. Administering injections containing thorotrast or thorium dioxide is also known to develop this condition. - Genetics
Mesothelioma can also be genetically passed; hence, being cautious if someone in the family has been diagnosed is necessary.
Stages
There are four stages of mesothelioma cancer, which are determined by the severity of symptoms. Doctors identify and classify mesothelioma cancer’s severity on this basis and progression at the time of diagnosis.
- Stage 1
In this stage, the tumor is localized around the mesothelial membrane but hasn’t spread to neighboring tissues. Cancers detected at this stage have a better prognosis as the disease is localized and has a greater response to treatment options. - Stage 2
Mesothelioma cancer invades neighboring tissues and begins metastasizing, thus spreading to nearby organs. - Stage 3
As mesothelioma cancer reaches stage 3, the cancer cells have spread in nearby tissues and organs through lymph nodes. - Stage 4
In this advanced stage, mesothelioma cancer spreads to nearby and distant organs, lymph nodes, and tissues.
The abovementioned factors are crucial when it comes to devising a treatment plan for mesothelioma cancer. Do consult a doctor and determine the steps that need to be taken. Taking the right measures for prevention is also crucial when it comes to dealing with this condition.
