 |
print the page |  |
email the page |  |
|
- What is mesothelioma?
- Symptoms of mesothelioma
- Causes of mesothelioma
- Prevention of mesothelioma
- Risk factors for mesothelioma
- Complications of mesothelioma
- When to see a doctor about mesothelioma
- Diagnosis of mesothelioma
- Conventional treatment of mesothelioma
- Alternative/complementary treatment of mesothelioma
- Living with mesothelioma
- Caring for someone with mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a fatal condition, but there are a number of serious complications that can occur during disease progression:
Collapse of the lungs (pneumothorax)
The malignant pleural mesothelioma may cause an accumulation of air inside the pleural cavity which can occur due to the malignant growths in the pleural cavity and in the lungs, which causes the pressure in the pleural cavity to change and this can result in one or both lungs collapsing.
Metastasis to other parts of the body
In very severe cases of mesothelioma, when the disease has progressed to an advanced stage, it can cause the cancer cells to spread to other parts of the body, creating malignant tumours all over the body and this is ultimately fatal.
Advertisement
Pleural effusion
People with mesothelioma can experience an excessive build-up of liquids in the pleural cavity particularly in between two of the membranes that surround the lungs and this can cause difficulty in breathing. The pleural effusion occurs due to the inflammation in the lungs and also due to pressure of the malignant tumours.
Respiratory failure
If the mesothelial cells of the pleural lining have been affected by mesothelioma, a worsening of the condition can cause respiratory failure when the lungs are unable to function properly because of the malignant tumours inside and outside the lungs that are obstruction the lungs function and restrict the airways.
Advertisement
Sections: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
< 5: risk factors 7: when to see a doctor >
