The Facts about Mesothelioma

The Facts about Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is primarily caused by asbestos exposure. This form of cancer can affect those who come into direct contact with asbestos by breathing it in which causes normal cells to mutate 
into cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma affects the lining around the body’s vital organs including the lungs and the heart and in many cases the abdominal cavities
.

Mesothelioma Symptoms

Pleural, Peritoneal, and Pericardial are the main three types of Mesothelioma and each form comes with a different set of symptoms.

Pericardial Mesothelioma

·        Chest pains

·        Coughing

·        Heart palpitations

·        Shortness of breath

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

·        Abdominal pain

·        Bowel movement difficulties

·        Nausea

·        Lumps in the abdomen

·        Weight loss

Pleural Mesothelioma

• ·        Chest pain
• ·        Fluid in the lungs
• ·        Persistent cough
• ·        Wheezing
• 
  

Each type of Mesothelioma affects different areas of the body. Peritoneal Mesothelioma is found in the lining of the gut, while Pericardial Mesothelioma affects the pericardial sack that surrounds the heart. Lastly, Pleural Mesothelioma, the rarest form of Mesothelioma affects the lining around the lungs.

Mesothelioma can affect people from all walks of life and for some can lie dormant for years after the initial asbestos exposure. There are a number of different treatment options for those who are suffering from Mesothelioma. Radiotherapy, Chemotherapy or a combination of the two can be used to treat Mesothelioma. The treatment provided will depend on a number of factors such as the stage of the cancer and the general health of the person in question.

What is Asbestos?

Asbestos is one of six forms of silicate minerals. It forms naturally underground and is mined all over the world. It has extremely good insulating properties and so in the late 19th century it became very popular as a building material. Asbestos is now banned throughout most of the world as the thin fibres have been found to cause lung diseases such as asbestosis or mesothelioma.

Uses of Asbestos

Asbestos was first used in ancient Greece. The Holy Roman Emporer Charlamagne is thought to have had a tablecloth made from asbestos. In the ninth century wealthy Persian traders would amaze guests with napkins made of asbestos which they would throw into the fire to clean.

In modern times asbestos has been used as a fireproofing and building material. During the late nineteenth and early twentieth century it was used in ship building. As a result many shipworkers developed asbestosis. There was even a cigarette which used asbestos fibres in the tip.

Mesothelioma and Other Health Problems

Mesothelioma, a disease caused by asbestos exposure, was first recognised in 1931. Asbestosis is a fibrosis of the lungs which is caused by asbestos. Because of such asbestos related diseases asbestos use is now banned in most of the world. However the removal of asbestos from existing structures is an on-going problem. As exposure to asbestos is the only recognised cause of various asbestos related diseases there are many sufferers who have successfully claimed asbestos compensation for their illnesses