People frequently ask if mesothelioma is lung cancer. Well, they are not the same. Sure enough, it can be easy to confuse the two since they share similar symptoms, for example, chest pain and trouble breathing. The similarity in symptoms also makes it difficult for doctors to accurately diagnose mesothelioma. In many cases, the disease is detected after it advances to the final stage. This explains why many people are unaware of the disease until it’s too late to treat it.
Mesothelioma, a rare malignant cancer tumor, is caused almost exclusively from exposure to asbestos. Most cases of asbestos poisoning and mesothelioma involve people who worked in places where they were exposed to asbestos, e.g., amphibole or serpentine types. However, it usually takes 20-50 years for the disease to show up. By this time, the survival rate is approximately 1 year. As such, it is crucial for people who were exposed to asbestos or another type of elongate mineral particle (EMP) to know the difference between mesothelioma and lung cancer.
Mesothelioma is an asbestos-related cancer that mainly affects the cells in the lining of the lungs (mesothelium), but it can start in other areas of the body. Besides the lungs, the disease can develop in the lining of the abdomen, heart, or testicles. The original location of the cancer and the cell type usually help determine the type of mesothelioma.
The disease develops after asbestos fibers are inhaled into the lungs, or swallowed. The fibrous minerals are contained in construction and installation materials such as insulation, drywall, ceiling, tiles, and paint. They are also found in asbestos mines and milling, automotive, and manufacturing factories.
The fibers look like ultra-fine needles, can only be seen under a microscope, and typically contaminate the air after being disturbed. For example, during the demolition of a building that contains asbestos material.
The different types of mesothelioma is a factor that indicates it is not the same as lung cancer. There are four main types of disease. All of them can start in one location and spread to other parts of the body through the blood vessels and lymph nodes.
The first difference between the two is lung cancer originates in the lung only while mesothelioma can take root in the lining of the heart, abdomen, or testes. Other factors that distinguish the two diseases are as follows:
While the primary cause of lung cancer differs from mesothelioma, exposure to all types of asbestos can significantly increase the risk of lung cancer in people who smoke. On the other hand, smoking is not mesothelioma cause or risk factor. However, it takes greater exposure to asbestos to cause lung cancer compared to pleural mesothelioma.
There is no cure for mesothelioma. Surgical treatment is available for those with stage 1, 2, and 3 of the disease. Treatment options for stage 4 (final stage) asbestos-related cancer includes chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and palliative therapy. Surgery is no longer an option at this point. Meanwhile, 45,221 malignant mesothelioma deaths were reported between 1999 and 2015. There was hope that the strict asbestos regulations would decrease the number of malignant mesothelioma deaths. But in spite of regulatory actions and a decline in asbestos use, the number of deaths per year remains substantial.
As you can see, mesothelioma and lung cancer are different and similar in several ways. A significant and life-changing difference is the length of time it takes for mesothelioma to develop. By the time it is diagnosed, the patient may have a slim chance of survival. You should speak with your mesothelioma doctor immediately if you suspect you or loved one was exposed to asbestos or may have mesothelioma. You may also have a right to file an asbestos financial compensation claim for damages due to the negligence of a company or entity. An attorney who specializes in asbestos cases can help you explore your legal options.
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