What is mesothelioma - Mesothelioma

MESOTHELIOMA

Rare malignant serious tumor affecting pleura

Only known cause is "asbestos exposure" & manifested after 20-40 y of exposure

Mostly affect men(50-70y)

Fatal within a year of diagnosis



Mesothelioma Symptoms

(1)General symptoms(non specific)  so lead to delay diagnosis & difficulty to

detection

-Fever , night sweats and wt loss



(2)Chest sympyoms

-SOB & chest pain & persistant cough

-Some pt show no symptoms at all



Diagnosis

1)X-Ray & CT  only investigation that detect possible presence of mesoth.

CXR  may show pleural effusion



2)If possible tumor detected  "thoracoscopy"



TTT

1)Surgery :

-one of 3 1ry ttt options for mesoth.

-Two types : palliative & aggressive



2)Radiation : as surgery very difficult & risky



3)Chemotherapy :

-limited success in ttt

-Like radiation used after surgery in order to eliminate any cancerous growth that

could not be removed during operation