What Is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma the medical name for cancer of the pleura (the lining of the lung and chest cavity) or cancer of the peritoneum (the lining of the abdomen). It is usually caused by prolonged or persistent exposure to asbestos.

Symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until between twenty and fifty years after exposure, which explains why so many new cases of this form of cancer are coming to light now, even though the dangers of asbestos were realized long ago and measures taken to reduce the risk of the disease.

As with many forms of cancer, the mesothelioma tumor can spread rapidly, often infecting the opposite pleura, and continuing on to other internal organs. Symptoms include a shortness of breath, chest pains, coughing, and loss of weight.

Testing can be carried out initially by X-Ray, with a Thoric CT and open lung biopsy being used to confirm the findings of the early tests. If it is diagnosed early enough, the tumor can be surgically removed, and with follow-up chemotherapy and radiation treatment, full recovery is often possible.

However, in more advanced cases, cure is usually not possible. In such cases, chemotherapy and radiation treatment can be used alongside other pain relief treatments, to ease the symptoms. Where cure is not possible, the average survival time is between four and eighteen months, depending on the stage of the tumor and the general health of the patient.

About The Author

Angela Cambourne owns and maintains the Mesothelioma Hub, an extensive resource site. http://www.mesothelioma-hub.com.

In The News:

Minnesota woman calls herself poster child for hope after mesothelioma
Mesothelioma Web, TX - 8 hours ago
... 39, has been living for almost three years since she was diagnosed with mesothelioma, the life-threatening lung cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. ...

Minnesota Woman Claims her Mesothelioma has been Cured
Asbestos.com, Florida - 13 hours ago
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is almost exclusively caused by exposure to asbestos. Due to the long latency period associated with this disease, ...

A rare survival story in a brush with a rare and deadly cancer
Minneapolis Star Tribune, MN - Aug 27, 2008
The diagnosis was mesothelioma -- a rare and often fatal form of lung cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. Now, just over 2 1/2 years after undergoing ...

Lung cancer caused by asbestos, suit claims
Madison County Record, IL - Aug 28, 2008
By Kelly Holleran An Illinois man recently diagnosed with lung cancer has filed an asbestos suit against 74 defendant corporations, claiming the disease was ...

Asbestos Regulations In Question Throughout the Nation
Asbestos.com, Florida - 13 hours ago
... been scientifically established that exposure to asbestos causes a range of terminal diseases, such as asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma cancer. ...

Several Mesothelioma Lawsuits Filed in Illinois
TransWorldNews (press release), GA - Aug 28, 2008
The estate of Mary Lindsey has filed an asbestos-related lawsuit claiming she died from lung cancer after secondary asbestos exposure. ...

Mesothelioma could have been caused by plumber husband's overalls
Western Telegraph, UK - Aug 28, 2008
The Coroner said that in 99.9% of cases mesothelioma was caused by exposure to asbestos dust and plumbers worked with lagging and asbestos wool which may ...

New Statesman
Asbestos: The lies that killed
New Statesman, UK - Aug 28, 2008
The T&N files first refer to asbestos cancer in Rochdale in the 1930s. By 1947, the national factory inspector's report emphasised the incidence of lung ...

Asbestos Mesothelioma: Creating a Better Life Proved Fatal
Lawyers and Settlements - Aug 27, 2008
"I have a book on asbestos," Frances said. "My husband had every symptom it describes for asbestosis and mesothelioma. I am short of breath, ...

$4M Awarded to Ambler for Cleanup of Old Asbestos Factory
TransWorldNews (press release), GA - Aug 28, 2008
Asbestos, which is known to cause malignant mesothelioma, was manufactured cheaply and the substance features many desirable physical and chemical ...
lung mesothelioma asbestos - Google News


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