Causes of Mesothelioma Cancer that You Need to Know - Almost every disease occurs because of a trigger or factor that can increase the risk. Mesothelioma cancer, too. Although the exact cause is unknown, this disease is thought to be related to asbestos or asbestos exposure, which is a type of mineral that is widely used as a construction material.
Then the question is, how can asbestos exposure trigger mesothelioma cancer? This happens when asbestos is destroyed and produces fine fibers or dust, both during the mining process or in building renovations. I was so delicate, grain or sand can be easily inhaled, then enter and settle in the lungs, then trigger the growth of cancer cells.
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Based on the explanation of the causes of mesothelioma cancer earlier, it can be seen that the risk of this cancer is quite high in people who:
- Having a work environment that is vulnerable to asbestos exposure, such as mineral mines, construction sites, the automotive industry, power plants, the textile industry, and steel factories.
- Living in an old building or environment where the soil contains asbestos.
- Having family members who work in an environment that is prone to asbestos exposure. Because asbestos fibers can stick to the skin and clothing, and be carried into the house or other situations.
- Have a history of mesothelioma or genetic disorders that increase the risk of cancer.
Aside from asbestos, several other factors can increase the risk of mesothelioma cancer, although it is rare. Among these are exposure to erionite minerals, radiation exposure from thorium dioxide chemicals used in X-ray examinations until the 1950s, and infected with simian viruses (SV40).
Symptoms differ depending on the type.
Symptoms of mesothelioma cancer can vary depending on which part of the body is infected with cancer cells. Based on the affected body part, mesothelioma cancer is divided into 4 types, namely:
Symptoms of mesothelioma cancer can vary depending on which part of the body is infected with cancer cells. Based on the affected body part, mesothelioma cancer is divided into 4 types, namely:
1. Mesothelioma Pleura (Pleural Mesothelioma)
This type of mesothelioma cancer occurs in the lung organs, precisely in the lining of the lungs called pleura. Compared to other brands, this type of mesothelioma cancer is the most common.
- Common symptoms experienced by people with pleural mesothelioma cancer are:
- Fever is accompanied by sweat, especially at night.
- Excessive fatigue.
- Cough accompanied by unbearable pain.
- Shortness of breath due to a buildup of fluid in the lungs, precisely in the pleural cavity, which is the space between the two layers of pleura lining the lungs.
- Weight loss for no apparent reason.
- Chest pain.
- Swelling and deformation at the tip of the finger (clubbing).
- Lumps appear in the tissue under the skin surface of the chest area.
2. Mesothelioma Peritoneum (Peritoneal Mesothelioma)
It is a type of mesothelioma cancer that attacks the peritoneum or the lining of the abdominal cavity. Symptoms experienced by people with this type of mesothelioma cancer can be:
- Loss of appetite.
- Weight decreased dramatically.
- Diarrhea.
- Constipation.
- Pain in the abdomen.
- Swelling in the abdominal area.
- A bump in the stomach appears.
- Obstruction of bowel movements and urination.
3. Mesothelioma Perikardium (Pericardial Mesothelioma)
It is a type of mesothelioma cancer that is quite rare. Pericardial mesothelioma usually causes symptoms in the form of chest pain and respiratory distress.
4. Mesothelioma Testis (Testicular Mesothelioma)
Just like the type of pericardium, testicular mesothelioma cancer is also relatively rare. This type of mesothelioma cancer attacks the protective lining of the testes or testicles.
All of the symptoms of various types of mesothelioma cancer that have been described generally develop gradually and usually takes about 20-30 years until symptoms appear. In the early stages, people with mesothelioma cancer may not feel any symptoms. But over time, when cancer cells have developed and spread to other organs, various new signs will be contacted.
Well, if you feel any symptoms that are wrong with your body, whatever it is, don't hesitate to discuss your condition with your doctor. So that treatment can be done as soon as possible.
A series of tests to detect mesothelioma cancer
When doctors suspect that mesothelioma cancer is lodged in a person, several physical examinations will be carried out to confirm the diagnosis. Here are some checks that can be done:
- X-rays, to detect abnormalities, such as thickening in the lung lining, fluid in the pleural cavity, or changes in lung shape.
- CT scan, to examine the chest and stomach area, and detect any signs of cancer, determine the location of the disease, and check whether cancer has spread to other organs.
- PET ( Positron Emission Tomography ). Examination using compounds containing radioactive atoms that are injected into the body to get a detailed picture of the tissue suspected cancer cells.
- MRI to get a more detailed picture of the tissue determines the location of the tumor.
