What is Mesothelioma and Lung Cancer?

In asbestos-related injuries and illnesses, mesothelioma lung cancer is the leading cause of death. Asbestos is a highly toxic group of fibrous minerals that was widely used in the production of homes, buildings, schools, clutch parts, automobile brakes, cement, ceiling and floor tiles, and thousands of other products around the world.

In its most common form, mesothelioma lung cancer is a cancer that develops in the pleural lining of the lung, known as the pleural mesothelium. While by definition, mesothelioma isn’t lung cancer, because the most common variety originates in a similar locality, it is often mistaken as one, though not in the lung itself. For this reason, because of its similarities mesothelioma with lung cancer is often misdiagnosed.

Is Mesothelioma and Lung Cancer the same disease?

Pleural mesothelioma and lung cancer are both serious illnesses, but they are not the same. Pleural mesothelioma, sometimes called “asbestos lung cancer”, is really not a form of lung cancer, but a cancer of the lining that surrounds the lung. A main difference between mesothelioma and lung cancer is that lung cancer is in the tissue of the lung. By contrast, pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lining around the lung.

Symptomatically, pleural mesothelioma and lung cancer are very similar. Each would likely be accompanied by the chronic cough and chest pains that we associate with lung cancer. By an unfamiliar physician pleural mesothelioma may even be misdiagnosed in a standard chest scan because their rate of spread and division are likewise quite similar to small cell lung cancers.

A primary cause of lung cancer often considered to smoking, while asbestos exposure is considered a primary cause of mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure may also be associated with lung cancer. However, smoking is not linked to mesothelioma. Those exposed to asbestos and who smoke are as much as 90 times more likely to be develop lung cancer than those who don’t smoke.

If asbestos fibers are compromised by remodeling, renovation, deterioration, or disturbance, the fibers may break loose and become airborne. Once these fibers are ingested or inhaled, they may become trapped in the lungs or the digestive tract permanently, causing serious disease or illness such as mesothelioma asbestos lung cancer.

Mesothelioma lung cancer risk factors

While smoking is the highest risk factor for lung cancer, frequent non-occupational exposure or workplace to high levels of asbestos is another leading cause of the illness. Tradesmen in the plumbing, steel, electrical, milling, auto, mining, and insulation industries, among others, are at the highest risk of developing mesothelioma cancer caused by asbestos exposure. Studies have found that workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos increase their risk of mesothelioma lung cancer by seven to ten times than those in the general population. In addition, asbestos workers who also smoke cigarettes are 50 to 100 times more likely to die from lung cancer.

Symptoms of Mesothelioma lung cancer

Mesothelioma lung cancer is difficult to diagnose early. It is rarely cured and spreads at a rapid rate such as advanced cancer. Lung Cancer and Mesothelioma caused by asbestos exposure typically occurs at a younger age than other and is most likely found in the lower lobes. Some common symptoms of Mesothelioma lung cancer include, but are not limited to:

• Change in breathing patterns
• Shortness of breath
• Persistent chest pains
• Coughing
• Hoarseness
• Anemia

The best treatment option for treating and cure mesothelioma lung cancer may not be the best option for treating traditional lung cancers and it is important that patients have access to the treatment that will be most effective for their particular case.

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1. Lung Mesothelioma
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3. Asbestos Lung Cancer
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5. Lung Cancer

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