Mesothelioma: Cancer from Asbestos Exposure

The risks of Asbestos exposure

Cancer from Asbestos exposure is called mesothelioma. There are some other diseases caused by this substance exposure such as other cancers, asbestos poisoning, lung disease, and other related condition. Although it rarely happens, Mesothelioma cancer is the worst risk of too much Asbestos exposure. In the late stage, this cancer won’t only affect lung but also abdominal cavity, heart and other body organs. Meanwhile, sufferers of Mesothelioma have a poor life expectancy because there is no cure. As the medical technology develops, there are more alternative treatments and therapies that can increase the percentage of prognosis.

How to diagnose the cancer

Mesothelioma as a cancer from Asbestos exposure is diagnosed through some options. Only considering the patient’s symptoms is not enough to determine the patient’s disease. Before doctors diagnose the patients, there will be preliminary considerations which include prior Asbestos exposure, medical history, and a physical examination. Further, imagine scans are also required. They can in the form of X-Rays, CT Scans, PET scans, or MRI. The most effective method to diagnose this cancer is Biopsy test. It determines the presence of cancer cells by examining collected tissue samples of small fluid under a microscope. For earlier Mesothelioma detection even before some symptoms appear, the doctor will use blood tests as the diagnosis method.

Staging systems of Mesothelioma

According to Brigham and Butchart staging system, this cancer is divided into four stages. In stage one the tumors are restricted to the pleural envelope only thus do not affect the lymph nodes. In the second stage, the tumor spreads to the lymph nodes. Meanwhile, the third stage is the condition when the tumors have reached the mediastinum, or attacked the chest wall. The tumor spreads broader all over the body through the bloodstream in the terminal stage. If patients have reached this stage, solely palliative treatments are recommended.