MESOTHELIOMA, Causes, Signs and Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment.

Medical Centric
5 Jul 201906:33
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRMesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer affecting the mesothelium, is most commonly caused by asbestos exposure. It can take 20-40 years to develop and is divided into pleural, peritoneal, and pericardial types, with pleural being the most prevalent. Symptoms vary by type but may include shortness of breath, chest pain, and weight loss. Diagnosis involves imaging scans and biopsy, while treatment options range from surgery to chemotherapy, depending on the stage and patient health, often focusing on symptom management due to late diagnosis.

Takeaways
  • 🔬 Mesothelioma is a cancer that originates from the mesothelium, a protective tissue layer covering internal organs.
  • 📈 It is an aggressive cancer that progresses and spreads quickly, with different types depending on the affected area of the mesothelium.
  • 🏠 Pleural mesothelioma, affecting the lung lining, is the most common form, followed by peritoneal mesothelioma in the abdominal lining.
  • ❤️ Pericardial mesothelioma, affecting the heart's protective layer, is the rarest and is more prevalent in males.
  • 📊 In 2015, approximately 60,000 people were diagnosed with the disease, with 32,000 deaths recorded and only 9% living beyond five years.
  • 💡 The primary cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos, a naturally occurring silicate mineral with heat and chemical resistance.
  • 🏭 Asbestos was widely used in insulation, brakes, shingles, flooring, and other products, posing a risk when inhaled or ingested.
  • 🚫 Symptoms of mesothelioma vary and can include shortness of breath, weight loss, coughing, chest pain, and fatigue, depending on the type.
  • 🏥 Diagnosis involves imaging scans and biopsy to confirm the presence of cancer and determine its stage, ranging from stage 1 to stage 4.
  • 🛠️ Treatment options are dependent on the cancer's location, stage, and the patient's health, often focusing on controlling the disease and alleviating symptoms.
  • 💊 Common treatments include surgery to remove tumors or reduce fluid buildup, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.
Q & A

  • What is mesothelioma?

    -Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that arises from the mesothelium, which is a thin layer of protective tissue that covers the outer surface of many internal organs such as the heart, abdomen, and lungs.

  • How is mesothelioma classified based on the affected part of the mesothelium?

    -Mesothelioma is classified based on the part of the mesothelium it affects: pleural mesothelioma in the lining of the lungs, peritoneal mesothelioma in the lining of the abdomen, and pericardial mesothelioma in the protective layer of the heart.

  • Which type of mesothelioma is the most common?

    -Pleural mesothelioma, affecting the lining of the lungs, is the most common form.

  • What is the most common cause of mesothelioma?

    -The most common cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos, a set of six types of naturally occurring silicate minerals.

  • How can asbestos fibers lead to mesothelioma?

    -When asbestos fibers are inhaled or swallowed and settle in the lungs or stomach, they can cause irritation that eventually leads to mesothelioma.

  • What are the typical symptoms of pleural mesothelioma?

    -Typical symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include shortness of breath, unintended weight loss, coughing, painful chest pain under the ribcage, fatigue, and in severe cases, pneumothorax (lung collapse).

  • What are the typical symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma?

    -Typical symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include abdominal swelling, pain in the abdomen, weight loss, fever, night sweats, poor appetite, constipation, vomiting, and in cases where the cancer has spread, trouble swallowing and swelling of the neck and face.

  • What is the usual time frame between asbestos exposure and the development of mesothelioma?

    -It can take 20 to 40 years after asbestos exposure for mesothelioma to develop.

  • What factors may increase the risk of mesothelioma?

    -Factors that may increase the risk of mesothelioma include a personal history of asbestos exposure, such as working with asbestos products, producing products from asbestos, or working in a building containing asbestos.

  • What are the typical diagnostic procedures for mesothelioma?

    -Diagnosis of mesothelioma typically involves imaging scans, a physical examination, chest X-ray, lung function tests, a CT scan or MRI, and a biopsy for confirmation.

  • What are the treatment options for mesothelioma?

    -Treatment options for mesothelioma may include surgery to remove the tumor or reduce symptoms, radiation therapy to kill cancer cells, and chemotherapy using medication to kill cancer cells.

Outlines
00:00
🔍 Understanding Mesothelioma: Causes and Symptoms

This paragraph introduces mesothelioma, a cancer that originates from the mesothelium, a protective tissue layer covering internal organs. It highlights the aggressive nature of the disease and its different types based on the affected area, such as pleural, peritoneal, and pericardial mesothelioma. The paragraph emphasizes the prevalence of the disease, its higher incidence in males, and its association with asbestos exposure. It also outlines the latency period of 20 to 40 years post-exposure before symptoms like shortness of breath, weight loss, and chest pain may appear, and the rarity of survival beyond five years post-diagnosis.

05:01
🛠️ Mesothelioma Diagnosis and Treatment Options

The second paragraph delves into the diagnosis and treatment of mesothelioma. It describes the process starting with imaging scans and the necessity of a biopsy for confirmation. The paragraph outlines the various stages of the disease, from stage 1 where the cancer is localized to stage 4 where it has metastasized. It also discusses the treatment options available, which include surgery for early-stage cases and palliative measures for advanced stages, such as surgery to alleviate symptoms, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. The paragraph concludes with a call to action for viewers to engage with the content and subscribe for updates.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that arises from the mesothelium, which is a protective tissue layer covering internal organs. The video's main theme revolves around this disease, discussing its types, causes, symptoms, and treatment options. For instance, the script mentions 'mesothelioma is an aggressive form that progresses and spreads quickly,' highlighting its severity.
💡Mesothelium
The mesothelium is a thin layer of tissue that protects the outer surface of various internal organs such as the heart, abdomen, and lungs. It is the origin of mesothelioma, as the video explains, 'mesothelioma is a type of cancer arising from the mesothelium.' Understanding the mesothelium is crucial for grasping where mesothelioma originates.
💡Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a specific type of the disease that occurs in the pleura, the lining of the lungs. It is the most common form of mesothelioma, as stated in the script: 'mesothelioma that occurs in the pleura...is called pleural mesothelioma.' This term is key to understanding the most prevalent manifestation of the disease.
💡Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Peritoneal mesothelioma is another form of the disease that affects the peritoneum, the lining of the abdomen. It is the second most common form, as mentioned in the script: 'mesothelioma that occurs in the lining of the abdomen called peritoneum is referred to as peritoneal mesothelioma.' This keyword helps viewers differentiate between the types of mesothelioma based on the affected area.
💡Pericardial Mesothelioma
Pericardial mesothelioma is the rarest form of the disease, affecting the protective layer of the heart. The script points out its rarity: 'mesothelioma that occurs in the protective layer of the heart is referred to as pericardial mesothelioma.' This term is important for recognizing the less common types of mesothelioma.
💡Asbestos
Asbestos is identified as the most common cause of mesothelioma in the video. It is a set of six naturally occurring silicate minerals known for their heat and chemical resistance. The script describes asbestos as 'made up of fibers that are soft and flexible yet resistant to heat, fire, and several chemicals.' Exposure to asbestos fibers, which can be inhaled or swallowed, is linked to the development of mesothelioma.
💡Exposure
Exposure to asbestos is the primary risk factor for developing mesothelioma, as the video explains: 'the most common cause of mesothelioma is an exposure to asbestos.' The term 'exposure' in this context refers to coming into contact with asbestos, which can lead to the disease after a long latency period.
💡Symptoms
The script lists various symptoms associated with different types of mesothelioma, such as 'shortness of breath, unintended weight loss, coughing, often painful chest pain under the ribcage' for pleural mesothelioma. Understanding the symptoms is essential for recognizing the disease and seeking medical attention.
💡Diagnosis
Diagnosis of mesothelioma involves imaging scans and biopsy for confirmation, as detailed in the script: 'diagnosis is suspected with imaging scans but biopsy is used for confirmation.' The process includes medical history review, physical examination, and various tests to determine the presence and stage of cancer.
💡Treatment
Treatment options for mesothelioma are discussed in the video, emphasizing that a cure is often not possible due to late diagnosis. The script mentions 'treatment options may include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.' These treatments aim to control the cancer and alleviate symptoms rather than cure the disease.
💡Prognosis
The prognosis for mesothelioma is generally poor, with the script noting that 'only about 9% of people diagnosed with the condition live longer than five years.' This term refers to the likely outcome of the disease, highlighting the severity and the importance of early detection and treatment.
Highlights

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer arising from the mesothelium, a protective tissue layer covering internal organs.

Mesothelioma is aggressive, progressing and spreading quickly.

Types of mesothelioma include pleural, peritoneal, and pericardial, with pleural being the most common.

Mesothelioma is more prevalent in males and has a low survival rate, with only 9% living longer than five years post-diagnosis.

The primary cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos, a naturally occurring silicate mineral.

Asbestos fibers, when inhaled or ingested, can cause irritation leading to mesothelioma.

Latency period for mesothelioma development after asbestos exposure can be 20 to 40 years.

Risk factors for mesothelioma include personal history of asbestos exposure in various occupational settings.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include shortness of breath, weight loss, and chest pain.

Peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms are abdominal swelling, pain, and weight loss.

Pericardial mesothelioma presents with shortness of breath and chest pain.

Diagnosis involves imaging scans and biopsy for confirmation, with a review of medical history and physical examination.

Biopsy types include fine needle aspiration, thoracoscopy, laparoscopy, thoracotomy, and laparotomy.

Mesothelioma stages range from stage 1, where cancer is confined, to stage 4, with widespread spread.

Treatment options are influenced by location, stage, age, and health, with surgery being a primary method when diagnosed early.

When surgery is not possible, treatments may include symptom reduction surgeries and radiation therapy.

Chemotherapy is also used to kill cancer cells in mesothelioma treatment.

Transcripts

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