What is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma the medical name for cancer of the pleura or cancer of the peritoneum. This is usually caused by prolonged or persistent exposure to asbestos

Mesothelioma symptoms may not appear until between twenty to fifty years after exposure, which why so many new cases of this type of cancer that comes to light now, though long realized the dangers of asbestos and actions taken to reduce the risk of this disease.

As with various forms of cancer, mesothelioma tumor can spread rapidly, often infecting the opposite pleura, and proceed to other internal organs. Symptoms include chest pain, cough, shortness of breath and weight loss.

Diagnosing can be done initially by CT Thoric, X-Ray and open lung biopsy is used to confirm the findings of the initial test. If it is diagnosed early, the tumor can be surgically removed, and with follow-up chemotherapy and radiation treatment, full recovery is often possible.

However, in more advanced cases, medication is usually not possible. In such cases, chemotherapy and radiation treatment can be used with other pain relief treatments, to reduce symptoms. Where drugs are not possible, the survival time on average is between four and eighteen months, depending on tumor stage and patient's general health.