Why Mesothelioma Is Difficult to Diagnose

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer, caused by previous exposure to asbestos. In this deadly disease, cancerous (malignant) cells develop in the mesothelium, a protective lining that covers most organs of the body. The most common site of cancerous cells accumulation is the pleura (outer lining of the lungs and chest cavity), but it may also occur in the lining of the abdominal cavity (called peritoneum) or the pericardium (a sac that surrounds the heart).

Mesothelioma diagnose is often difficult from two reasons.

Its symptoms are quite similar to those of a number of other common condition conditions. No very special concerns when people experience persistent coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain and palpitations, fever, difficulty swallowing. These symptoms are typical of far more common diseases such as pneumonia. Only a previous exposure to asbestos may increase clinical suspicion for mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma has a very long latency time period (time between getting the cancer and feeling the symptoms of it). It can stay dormant in your body for many years, displaying symptoms that doesn't require a special medical attention. Many times mesothelioma is diagnosed to late, when treatment methods loses the main capacity of cure. Currently, is not completely proven why asbestos leads cancer in the mesothelial cells. On the other hand it is still undeterminated how many fibers are needed to be inhaled in order that the cancer tumor to be live. Getting mesothelioma is in close relation on asbestos exposure duration and on the environmental concentration of asbestos as well. Body resistance plays also an important role in mesothelioma equation. It is possible to get mesothelioma from as little as a couple of months of asbestos exposure or it would take few years of asbestos inhalation to cause cancer.

Very important for potential mesothelioma patients is to associate the above symptoms with their occupational history. If those symptoms overlap a previous asbestos exposure, the respective person must ask a special medical investigation.

Valerian D is a freelance writer specialized in health issues such as malignant mesothelioma