Mesothelioma BY: Savannah Field & Emily Zahn

OUTLINEVocabularyBackground InformationPopulation AffectedSymptomsDiagnosisTreatmentConclusionWorks Cited

VOCABULARYMesothelioma- 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

BACKGROUNDAsbestos 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

Mesothelioma is an aggressive and deadly form of cancer. Mesothelioma treatments are available, but for many people with mesothelioma, a cure is not possible.

POPULATION AFFECTED2,000-3,000 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

TREATMENTSurgery

Removal of tumors/affected

tissues, drains built-up fluid in chest

Chemotherapy

Shrinks tumors, helps with night

sweats and chest pains

Radiation

Soothes pain and remedies breathing issues by shrinking

tumors

CONCLUSIONMesothelioma 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.