Mesothelioma Disease

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is almost always caused by previous exposure to asbestos. In this disease, malignant cells develop in the mesothelium, a protective lining that covers most of the body's internal organs. Its most common site is the pleura (outer lining of the lungs and chest cavity), but it may also occur in the peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity) or the pericardium (a sac that surrounds the heart).

Mesothelioma: a tumor of the mesothelium, that can be benign (localized) or malignant (diffusely spread), and that is most commonly caused by the ingestion of asbestos particles. Mesothelium: the thin layer of mesodermal epithelial cells that forms the pleura, peritoneum, pericardium.

Mesothelioma is an unusual, but no longer seldom cancer that is difficult to diagnose, treat, and responds poorly to therapy. Mesothelioma is a cancer in which cancerous or malignant cells appear around the heart, chest or abdominal region of the body. It is believed the main cause is exposure to asbestos. Infact, it takes about 30-40 years after asbestos exposure, for mesothelioma symptoms to occur.

A lot of people working for asbestos manufacturing companies have been exposed to the substance which then leads to Mesothelioma. Infact, once the symptoms are detected, the patient has a maximum life span of not more than 18 months. Yes, this is a very sad fact. So who is responsible for this?

The most severe form of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos is called malignant mesothelioma. People who have worked in industries where asbestos containing products were used are often diagnosed with this fatal form of cancer. Mesothelioma is not easily detectable and is usually difficult to diagnose. Early symptoms are frequently dismissed by patients as common ailments until they increase in severity. At that point the disease has usually progressed to a stage where a cure is not possible.

About three-fourths of mesotheliomas start in the chest cavity. They are known as pleural mesotheliomas. Another 10% to 20% begin in the abdomen. These are called peritoneal mesotheliomas. Pericardial mesotheliomas, those starting in the cavity around the heart, are very rare. The covering layer of the testicles is actually an outpouching of peritoneum into the scrotum. Mesotheliomas that affect this covering of the testicles are quite rare.

Although the disease is much more commonly seen in 60-year old men, it has been described in women and early childhood as well. The cause of the disease is not so well understood in these latter two groups, but there is some evidence of possible asbestos exposure for some of these cases as well.