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Mesothelioma
BY: Savannah Field & Emily Zahn
OUTLINE
Vocabulary
Background Information
Population Affected
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment
VOCABULARY
Mesothelioma- a rare form of cancer that develops from cells of the
mesothelium, and is most commonly caused by exposure to asbestos.
Asbestos- Strong and fireproof silicate-mineral fiber that becomes brittle
('friable') with age, and pollutes air and water as extremely fine particles that
can cause serious illnesses like cancer (such as mesothelioma).
Pleura- the outer lining of the lungs and internal chest wall
Mesothelium- The protective lining that covers many of the internal organs of
the body.
How does Asbestos cause Pleural Cancer?
Inhalation of
fibers
Fibers lodge in
mesothelial
tissue
Fibers cause cell
damage,
resulting in
tumor growth
BACKGROUND
Asbestos is the only proven cause of mesothelioma.
Most people are exposed through their occupation
Malignant mesothelioma is the most serious of all asbestos-related diseases.
Three types:
Pleural mesothelioma- affects lining of the lungs ( most common )
Peritoneal Mesothelioma- affects abdominal cavity
Pericardial Mesothelioma- affects cardiac cavity
POPULATION AFFECTED
2,000-3,000 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma every year in the United States.
Because men are exposed to asbestos more often, they are 4.6 times more likely to be
diagnosed with this cancer.
Race:
95% of all mesothelioma patients are white
Hispanics are more frequently diagnosed than blacks or asians.
People 60+ years old are 10 times more likely to have mesothelioma rather than people
younger than 40
Mesothelioma claimed more than 37,000 lives in the US from 1999-2013
SYMPTOMS
- Dry coughing or wheezing
- Shortness of breath
- Anemia
- Fever
- Muscle Weakness
- Complications with breathing
- Pain in chest/abdomen
DIAGNOSIS
- Physical examination by doctor
- Blood tests
- MRI & CT Scans
- X-Rays
- Biopsies of tissue samples
TREATMENT
Surgery
Chemotherapy
Radiation
Removal of
tumors/affected
tissues, drains built-up
fluid in chest
Shrinks tumors, helps
with night sweats and
chest pains
Soothes pain and
remedies breathing
issues by shrinking
tumors
CONCLUSION
Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that can be identified in many ways, many of them
being respiratory issues such as coughing, chest pain, and breathing
complications . It is caused by exposure to asbestos, an extremely fine silicate
that enters the body through the air way. There are a handful of different types
of mesothelioma, but pleural mesothelioma is specific to the pleura surrounding
the lungs. Many times, those with mesothelioma were exposed to asbestos at
work- about 70-80% by breathing in the harmful material. There is no absolute
way to cure mesothelioma, but treatments are becoming more advanced with
new technology.
WORKS CITED
"Mesothelioma Cancer." Mesothelioma Cancer. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Jan. 2016.
"Mesothelioma Statistics." - Treatment & Diagnosis Facts. Mesothelioma Center,
n.d. Web. 26 Jan. 2016.
"Mesothelioma." - Mayo Clinic. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Jan. 2016.