Tuesday, November 15, 2011

What is Mesothelioma?

Alright, so a lot of you are wondering why I have a post on this. Story is, a family member of mine was just diagnosed with Meso, and I just wanted to spread some information out there to others about what it is. Mesothelioma is a lethal form of cancer that attacks the thin layer of cells surrounding the lungs, heart, and abdominal cavity. Because the first symptoms appear decades after initial exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma is often diagnosed in late stages.




 Diagnosing mesothelioma is a difficult task even for the most experienced doctors. If you present any symptoms associated with this form of cancer, the doctor will order a complete physical examination, imaging tests, biopsies, and lung function tests. He will also perform a physical exam to detect the presence of a pleural effusion. To provide an accurate diagnosis, the oncologist may recommend fluid biopsies, computed tomography scans, magnetic resonance imaging scans, X-rays, and blood tests. These medical procedures help identify the type of cancer cells and the extent of the cancer.


 Because of its many uses, asbestos was found in everything from shipyards to construction sites and chemical plants to shipping facilities. Unfortunately, what was not known during the better part of the 20th century was the effect that asbestos could have on the human body. In a solid, unbroken state, a piece of asbestos is relatively safe, but once it becomes broken or jagged, it releases fibers into the air, which are easily inhaled by the human body.Over time, cells in these linings may try to digest these asbestos fibers but be unable to do so. This leads to an immune response and ultimately an unintended cell division, giving rise to a form of cancer known as mesothelioma.
http://www.mesolink.org/
The information provided by Mesolink.org is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

21 comments:

  1. Very informative site. I really like it.

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  2. Nice post! Very interesting stuff

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  3. I did not know, thanks for info.

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  4. well... I learned my lesson of the day.. thanks!

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  5. NO!! why did i read this?! Now i have to get checked fucking hipocondria

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  6. Ive been seeing a lot of commercials for lawyers talking about mesothelioma.

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  7. Wish your family member all the best.

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  8. Now I'm paranoid because this post, I could have some of the symptoms mentioned here :S.

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  9. I'm hearing a lot about mesothelioma lately. Is it becoming common?

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  10. aw man thats pretty serious didnt realize it

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  11. That sucks, on an away game the home team put us in a locker room covered in asbestos falling from the ceiling. I'm a little worried now... Glad we beat them in football though.

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