What it is
The mesothelium is the tissue lining your lungs, stomach, heart and other organs. Mesothelioma — malignant mesothelioma — is cancer of that tissue. It usually starts in the lungs but can begin in the abdomen or elsewhere. It's rare but serious.
The asbestos link
Most people who get it worked or lived where they breathed in or swallowed asbestos particles. The disease usually takes a long time to develop after exposure.
Symptoms
- Trouble breathing and a cough
- Pain under the rib cage
- Pain, swelling or lumps in the abdomen
- Unexplained weight loss
- Blood clots
- Constipation
- Fatigue
Diagnosis
It can be hard to tell apart from lung cancer. Your provider will likely use a physical exam, imaging tests and a biopsy.
Treatment
Mesothelioma is often found late, which makes it harder to treat. Options may include:
- Surgery
- Radiation therapy
- Chemotherapy
- Immunotherapy
- Targeted therapy — drugs or other substances that attack specific cancer cells while doing less harm to normal cells
Sources
Based on "Mesothelioma," MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, drawing on the NIH National Cancer Institute; a work of the United States government in the public domain.
이용 허락: CC0 1.0 (퍼블릭 도메인) · 출처 medlineplus.gov
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