Mesothelioma:

During the last century, millions of people, without having been exposed to asbestos, a type of mineral fibers known to cause a variety of cancers.

Often called "asbestos cancer, mesothelioma is the most common form of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos.

Mesothelioma:

Mesothelioma, cancer is specifically focused on the mesothelial cells of the body.
Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer that develops in the mesothelial cells line many organs and body cavities.

The cancer generally attacks the thin lining of the lungs, abdomen or heart, known as the mesothelium?. Each year, approximately 2,000 to 3,000 new cases of malignant mesothelioma are diagnosed in the United States.
Types of mesothelioma

* Pleural Mesothelioma is the most common type of malignant mesothelioma, comprising about 75 percent of all cases of mesothelioma. This type develops in the lining of the lungs, called pleura. * Peritoneal Mesothelioma develops in the abdominal peritoneum, a layer covering the abdominal cavity and surrounds the abdominal organs. * Pericardial Mesothelioma develops in the pericardium, the membrane that surrounds the heart and provides protection and support for this organization. * Testicular mesothelioma, a rare form of mesothelioma develops in the lining that surrounds the testicle called the tunica vaginalis.

SYMPTOMS

Symptoms of mesothelioma usually occur 20 to 50 years after the first exposure to asbestos occurs. Symptoms of what, in the case of pleural mesothelioma, which often resemble less serious conditions such as influenza, can cause mesothelioma very difficult to diagnose. Symptoms include:

* Shortness of breath * Pain in the chest * Persistent cough * Fatigue * Night sweats or fever * Unexplained weight loss

Mesothelioma patients and their families often want to gather as much information as possible about mesothelioma after diagnosis. Asbestos.com offers a complete set which contains all information on this site and other materials to help patients and their families understand their diagnosis.