Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma, also known as asbestos cancer is caused by exposure to asbestos, typically found in particular asbestos jobsites.  Quite often, mesothelioma found in those working at jobsites such as shipyards and can be traced to asbestos products present in these locations.

The most serious of form of all asbestos related cancers is malignant mesothelioma.  Malignant mesothelioma, is a cancer that affects the lining of the lungs, abdominal cavity and the heart.  Pleural mesothelioma is the most common form of the cancer.  Exposure to asbestos is the main cause of mesothelioma, although other factors, such as smoking, could result in additional complications.  Although it is an uncommon form of cancer, the syptoms typically associated with this disease make it difficult for many doctors to diagnose.  Often, by the time a proper diagnosis has been made, the desease has progressed to where patients do not respond well to therapy or treatement.

Malignant mesothelioma is caused by the inhalation of asbestos particles.  Another factor asscociated with the desease is there can be a long period of latency between the time someone is exposed to asbestos and the time the desease manifests in the form of malignant mesothelioma.

Pleural Mesothelioma – Affects the Chest and Lungs

Malignant pleural mesothelioma most often originates within the chest cavity and can involve the lung.  This form of mesothelioma can metastasize to various organs in the body – even the brain - and tends to do so more often than not.

This form of mesothelioma is not easily detectable.  Often, in the early stages of mesothelioma, symptoms may be somewhat mild.  Patients sometimes report pain in one are of the chest that never goes away, fever and weight loss.  Other symptoms can be more severe and tend to include breathing problems due to the build up of fluid in the chest.

Survival rates for patients diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma tend to be very low.  Typically, patients do not live beyond 17 months from the onset of the symptoms. Only about 8% of those diagnosed with this disease will live 3 to 5 years from the inital onset of the sypmtoms.

Pericardial Mesothelioma – Affects the Heart

Pericardial mesothelioma is the least common form of mesothelioma.  Pericardial mesothelioma involves the heart. This type of mesothelioma is rare.  It invades the sac that surrounds the heart, otherwise known as the pericardium.  The heart is not able to deliver oxygen to the body as efficiently as the cancer progresses.  This causes further decline in health at a rapid rate. Symptoms comonly associated with this type of mesothelioma can mimic those of a heart attack which include pain in the chest, shortness of breath, and nausea.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma – Affects the Abdomen

Peritoneal mesothelioma originates in the abdomen and will often spread to other organs in area including the bowel, spleen and liver.  The most common complaint patients give their doctor is severe abdominal pain.  They may also experience a discomfort level with fluid build up in the abdomen as well.  Other symptoms nausea and vomiting, fever, swollen feet and difficult bowel movements.

The survival rate is even lower for those diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma.  Patients with this type of mesothelioma typically survive only ten months from the onset of the symptoms noted above.