What is Mesothelioma

What is Mesothelioma? it is an aggressive form of cancer that affects the mesothelium, a membrane that surrounds and protects many of the body’s internal organs.
Mesothelioma most often occurs in the lungs and heart (pleural mesothelioma) or in the abdominal organs (peritoneal mesothelioma).
Approximately 2,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in the United States every year, making it a relatively rare type of cancer. Incidence rates, however, are increasing.

What is Mesothelioma? Risk Factors

The leading cause of this form of cancer is exposure to asbestos, a material that has been used extensively in buildings and vehicles. Inhaled asbestos fibers can become trapped in the lungs or stomach, where they can cause scarring and eventually lead to tumors.
Research indicates that 70-80% of those diagnosed have had contact with asbestos, most of them for sustained periods of time.
Therefore, those who have worked near asbestos—in jobs such as electrician, construction worker, shipbuilder, or miner—are at the highest risk. The majority of those who suffer from mesothelioma are men, but women make up a significant minority of patients, as well. A person who has lived with someone who works around asbestos may also ingest enough of the material to cause cancer.
People may only begin showing signs of the disease decades after being exposed to asbestos. Someone may have no contact with asbestos for many years and still discover one day that he or she has mesothelioma.

What is Mesothelioma? Warning Symptoms

The different forms of mesothelioma are associated with different symptoms. Early signs of pleural mesothelioma include shortness of breath, coughing, fever, and chest pains. The peritoneal variety can be indicated by weight loss, abdominal swelling, stomach pain, and bowel obstruction.
Because these symptoms can be caused by other conditions as well, mesothelioma often goes undetected in its early stages. Only a doctor can determine whether they are signs of cancer or something less serious.
It is crucial for anybody with the symptoms described above to get a diagnosis as soon as possible, especially if he or she has ever held a job that caused asbestos exposure. As with any cancer, the earlier it is detected, the better.

What is Mesothelioma? Treatment and Legal Options

Unfortunately, treating mesothelioma has proven difficult. Options include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. A combination of all three treatments, when possible, has proven to be the most effective response. Scientists continue to search for new ways of combatting this painful disease.
Hopefully this information has sufficiently answered the question, “What is mesothelioma?” If you think you may have this disease, consult a doctor immediately.
Another important step for those affected by mesothelioma is to contact an attorney. The negative health effects of asbestos were known for many years, but companies tended not to inform their employees about the dangers before requiring them to come into contact with the material. Because of this, most people in the United States who have contracted mesothelioma are entitled to some form of legal compensation.
The same is true of the children and spouses of someone who has died from the disease. This compensation can help ensure that a patient will be able to afford treatment, or that his or her survivors will not suffer financial difficulties as a result of the loss of their loved one.