what is mesothelioma

What is mesothelioma?Mesothelioma is nothing but a cancer of mesothelium. It affects the abdominal cavity, chest cavity and the region surrounding the heart. It is basically the covering structure of most of the internal organs of the body. Mesothelioma is typically difficult to diagnose and treat due to its uncommon nature.



What is mesotheliomaMesothelioma is a condition where the mesothelium, which a lining that protects the internal organs of the body, becomes cancerous. Doctors use two terms to describe mesothelioma, localized and advanced. Localized mesothelioma indicates the cancer has not spread beyond the protective lining. Doctors used the term advanced to describe mesothelioma that has spread to the internal organs, lymph nodes or other parts of the body.

Exposure to asbestos is the main cause of mesothelioma. Asbestos is a substance that was once widely used in construction because of its insulating and fire retarding properties. In the late 1980's and early 1990's there was a movement to ban some uses of asbestos because of its cancer causing nature.

The amount of asbestos used in construction is now limited, however, some older homes may still have a great deal of asbestos in the form of insulation. Problems usually occur with asbestos when the asbestos fibers are inhaled into the lungs.

This can happen if you decide to remodel your home and tear out asbestos products without proper protective gear. However, most people diagnosed with mesothelioma were exposed to asbestos over long periods of time in a job such as construction.

This type of cancer can be hard to diagnose because its symptoms can mimic those of other diseases. The main symptoms of mesothelioma include pain in the chest wall, shortness of breath, fatigue, anemia, wheezing or cough. The patient may also suffer abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss, and may spit up blood.

what is mesothelioma. Basically, mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the lining of the organs. The most common type affects the lungs. Other types of mesothelioma can affect the abdomen, the heart and even the testicles, though this is very rare. Either way, all cases of mesothelioma can be traced to asbestos exposure. This could be from a person working with the substance at their job and/or through exposure to certain types of paints and building materials used in older residences. Since nowadays asbestos use is strictly limited by the government, most cases occur in elderly individuals.