What is Mesothelioma? Mesothelioma is a rare type of



cancer that grows on the mesothelium, the membrane or

protective sac that surrounds the various organs of the

body. It guards the organs by producing a special type

of fluid to promote mobility of the organs. In the case

of the lungs, mesothelium fluid allows ease in the

movement when taking in air. Mesothelioma tumor can

start on any area of the mesothelium which can be

benign or cancerous. Known to be the cause of

Mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos.

Asbestos is a heat resistant fibrous mineral used in

the industry as the main material in making roofing,

gasket compounds, floor tiles and patching compounds.

Its versatility makes it a component of various

products in the market but it is extremely dangerous

once inhaled no matter how small the quantity may be.

Inhaled asbestos fiber can pass through the air

passages which can come in contact with linings of the

lungs which can injure the cells and result to pleural

Mesothelioma. Swallowed asbestos on the other hand can

affect the fibers lined up on the abdominal cavity

resulting to peritoneal Mesothelioma. There are also

evidences that link Mesothelioma with Thorotrast, a

component used for X-rays but its usage has been

stopped for a long time.

The symptoms and signs of Mesothelioma can be very

common that is why the patient may just take it for

granted. The symptoms may happen from two to three

months before Mesothelioma is detected. Pleural

Mesothelioma is the commonly occurring type which takes

part in almost two thirds of the total detected

Mesothelioma cases. The linings of the lungs and chest

called pleura are the affected regions of Pleural

Mesothelioma. Common signs are weight loss but not

related with shift in diet, extreme tiredness,

difficulty in swallowing, raspy or hoarse voice,

constant shortness of breath, cough that have lasted

for a long time, pain the chest or back, extreme

sweating and recurring fever. For Peritoneal

Mesothelioma, commonly affected organs of the body are

bowel, liver and spleen with signs that are similar to

bowel related diseases. Early symptoms include pain on

the belly area, recurring constipation or diarrhea,

increase in the waist area, nausea, vomiting, fever and

even anemia. Anyone who encounters these symptoms that

have been exposed to asbestos can better consult their

doctor for diagnosis to prevent further Mesothelioma

complicated problems.

Prevention of Mesothelioma can be best done by avoiding

contact with asbestos which is proven to be its main

causing agent. Asbestos is found almost everywhere may

it be at home, at work or in any public buildings.

Workers involved with it must take extra care and

precautions to avoid contact through inhalation or

swallowing. Low rates of Mesothelioma cases are

detected for the past 20 years but nowadays, the number

of affected individuals has been growing to a large

degree. In United States almost 2,000 new cases are

detected each year. It occurs mostly with men since

they are commonly the ones involved in business and

cases that involve the use of asbestos. Factory

workers, miners, railroad laborers, gas mask makers,

insulation workers and ship builders are the commonly

asbestos related victims.

The patients or the individuals affected with

Mesothelioma can file lawsuits against asbestos makers,

manufacturers and employers since they have the duty to

protect their workers from the negative effects of

asbestos including Mesothelioma. Several law firms and

lawyers are now available to help the sufferers fight

for their right and to attain the justice that they

deserve.