What is Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a very rare and unusual form of cancer, with aprx. 2000 new cases being diagnosed every year in the United States. The cancer infects the mesothelium of the body, which is a lining found around many internal organs including the lungs. After a period of time the cancer will matastize and spread to various locations around the body. Initial infection is often found in the pleura or peritoneum.
How do you Get Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma Lungs
While it is possible to get Mesothelioma without exposure to asbestos, in the majority of known cases some form of exposure is often found in the case history. This is typically in the form of inhalation of asbestos dust which can be found in older buidlings, old insulation, brake linings, etc. While exposure to asbestos greatly increases your risk for cancer in the airway it is nothing compared to the increased risk found when you combined smoking with asbestos exposure. As little as one to two months of exposure can cause malignant Mesothelioma about 30-40 years later.
Where Asbestos Is Commonly Found
Insulation of pipes and boilers
Old powder insulating cements and plasters
Roof and Ceiling Tiles
Fire Proof Spraying
Automobile Cluthes and Brakes
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms will not develop for a while after exposure. It can take anywhere from 30 - 50 years for signs to manifest themselves, which means it may be difficult to pin down an exact cause. Common symptoms include but are not limited to:
Viral Pneumonia like Symptoms
Shortness of Breath
Chest Pains
Persistant Cough
X-rays show a build up of Fluid in the Lungs
Since these are very general symptoms it makes diagnosing this cancer very difficult. Remember, only a health care professional (doctor) can properly diagnose you.
Mesothelioma Treatments
There are a few way in which Mesothelioma can be treated. Usually it is a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. These can often increase the expected survival time of a afflicted person, however Mesothelioma is usually fatal. The survival time is only about 8-12 months after treatment however some specialists have better stats. Some specialists even have about 40% of patients still surviving 5 years later. For more information about Mesothelioma treatments and sugery check out MesotheliomaWeb.org