What Is Mesothelioma?

The question is often put forward “what is mesothelioma?”, and while many people are aware that it is in some way related to asbestos or asbestosis, few people understand the actual cause of mesothelioma, the symptoms of Mesothelioma, or where you are likely to get Mesothelioma help.. The purpose of this website is to offer visitors as much information as possible about Mesothelioma and related topics.

So What Is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a kind of cancer, a tumour that influences the mesothelial cells which overspread the outer surface of the majority of of our internal body organs, making a lining that is refered to as the Mesothelium. The Mesothelium, is a thin, fragile membrane, that outlines the inner surface of the chest wall, abdomen and envelops the heart and has different names in the different parts of the body. In the chest wall for example, it is known as the pleura, in the abdomen it is the peritoneum, and the membrane which envelops the heart is refered to as the pericardium. The Mesothelium also envelops the organs found inside these cavities for instance the heart, lung and intestines. Mesothelioma has also been known to affect the testicles although this is very unusual. A cancer of the Mesothelium is known as ‘diffuse’ or ‘malignant’ mesothelioma. However, it is mostly referred to simply as Mesothelioma.

What Is The Cause Of Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is caused because of exposure to asbestos and the disease can take 20-40 years to develop. Although a relatively small percentage of people might seem to develop mesothelioma without any known explosure to asbestos, this is generally because it can be such a difficult task to trace the exposure because of the large time lapse before Mesothelioma develops. The period of exposure to asbestos may only have been quite short but generally heavy and typically with blue asbestos – although other types have also been known to cause mesothelioma. Exposure to asbestos is the only proven cause of the disease.

The Symptoms Of Mesothelioma (What To Look Out For)

The symptoms of Mesothelioma are not unlike any other lung related diseases. Mesothelioma provokes the individual to suffer shortness of breath, pain, loss of appetite and weight loss and mostly results in fatigue, sluggishness and lethargy. For all concerned.. friends, family, health care professionals along with the patient, Mesothelioma is maybe the most challenging of all cancers. If you have any history of working with asbestos or related products and display any of the symptoms of Mesothelioma you are advised to seek Mesothelioma help straight away. Mesothelioma is incurable, difficult to diagnose, debilitating yet preventable. Latest research figures show that around 2500 people every year are diagnosed with Mesothelioma and this number is increasing gradually.

Mesothelioma In The Chest

The chest lining has two seperate layers. The inner layer envelops the lung, and the outer layer lines the chest wall. The space between these two layers contains a little amount of fluid. This helps lubricate the two liner surfaces and allows the lung and chest wall to move and expand as you breathe. When a tumor grows within the two chest linings, it causes it to thicken initially. Then it starts to spread within the gap between the two layers. The tumor will begin to produce fluid, sometimes this could be several litres. The symptoms of Mesothelioma are far more common in the chest than in the abdomen.

Mesothelioma In The Abdomen (Peritoneal Mesothelioma)

Your abdominal cavity (the bit below your diaphragm) and bowel are also covered by a lining. Like your chest lining, it has two layers. The inner layer covers the organs in your abdomen (your stomach, etc), and the outer layer lines the wall of your abdomen. A tumour can start within this lining. It causes the lining around the organs in your abdomen to thicken. Again, the tumour often produces fluid, which causes swelling of the abdomen.

Mesothelioma Around The Heart (Pericardial Mesothelioma)

The least common form of Mesothelioma cancer is Pericardial Mesothelioma. Pericardial Mesothelioma can spread to/from the lungs and when this occurs, it is considered secondary lung cancer. Because Pericardial Mesothelioma is so rare, there is little specific research on this type of Mesothelioma. Approximately 2,400 new cases of Mesothelioma are diagnosed each year, and fewer than 200 of them are Pericardial Mesothelioma.
The term ‘Mesothelioma’ in medical terms is defined as a form of cancer that proliferates at a very fast rate after it has been diagnosed, and has been described in medical literature since 1870 although the first suspicion of a link between asbestos and Mesothelioma did not surface in the UK until 1935 where the first case of Asbestosis was diagnosed. During the 1950’s, both Britain and the United States continued to see an alarming number of new Asbestosis, Lung Cancer and Mesothelioma cases. Many articles on the subject were published and the link between asbestos exposure and Mesothelioma continued to grow. However, a definite link between asbestos and Mesothelioma was not medically accepted until 1960. However, despite being aware of the problem, regulations to ban asbestos did not begin in the US until 1971 and in the UK until 1985. The regulations defined how asbestos and asbestos products should be manufactured, transported, used, disposed of, and much more. These regulations came about as a response to public outcry about the undeniable link between asbestos exposure, asbestos diseases such as Mesothelioma, and asbestos companies who continually disregarded the safety of workers.

Mesothelioma Help (Looking Out For The Symptoms Of Mesothelioma)

If you are aware of any time in your past when you may have come into contact with asbestos or any asbestos products, and have displayed any of the symptoms of Mesothelioma mentioned in this article, you should certainly seek advice as a matter of urgency. You should carry out a search for ‘Mesothelioma help’ or ‘Mesothelioma Help Line’ for more advice but make an appointment to see your doctor at your earliest convenience. Since the symptoms of Mesothelioma are comparable to those of a broad number of other ailments, you may be tempted to delay seeking Mesothelioma help, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.
These days, asbestos is totally regulated. But that regulation was too late for the 2000+ Mesothelioma victims that are diagnosed every year. Mesothelioma victims’ families, advocates and attorneys continue to fight to protect the rights of those most affected by this awful disease.

Trevor Taylor - What Is Mesothelioma? ( April 2010)