Lung, Mesothelioma & Asbestos Information

What Is Mesothelioma?


Mesothelioma the medical name for cancer of the pleura (the lining of the lung and chest cavity) or cancer of the peritoneum (the lining of the abdomen). It is usually caused by prolonged or persistent exposure to asbestos.

Symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until between twenty and fifty years after exposure, which explains why so many new cases of this form of cancer are coming to light now, even though the dangers of asbestos were realized long ago and measures taken to reduce the risk of the disease.

As with many forms of cancer, the mesothelioma tumor can spread rapidly, often infecting the opposite pleura, and continuing on to other internal organs. Symptoms include a shortness of breath, chest pains, coughing, and loss of weight.

Testing can be carried out initially by X-Ray, with a Thoric CT and open lung biopsy being used to confirm the findings of the early tests. If it is diagnosed early enough, the tumor can be surgically removed, and with follow-up chemotherapy and radiation treatment, full recovery is often possible.

However, in more advanced cases, cure is usually not possible. In such cases, chemotherapy and radiation treatment can be used alongside other pain relief treatments, to ease the symptoms. Where cure is not possible, the average survival time is between four and eighteen months, depending on the stage of the tumor and the general health of the patient.

About The Author

Angela Cambourne owns and maintains the Mesothelioma Hub, an extensive resource site. http://www.mesothelioma-hub.com.

  


MORE RESOURCES:

Asbestos-cancer sufferer calls for more research
Derby Evening Telegraph, UK - 15 hours ago
Doctors thought he may have lung cancer but, when he came back to Derby, he was diagnosed with mesothelioma. Mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the ...


Asbestos played no part in the death of a ‘remarkable lady
Get Bracknell, UK - Aug 20, 2008
Mary Elizabeth Newman died in April, aged 71, after being diagnosed with mesothelioma, a cancer usually contracted after coming into contact with the ...


LegalView Informs Mesothelioma Blog Readers with Details on ...
PR-CANADA.net (press release), Montenegro - Aug 18, 2008
Tremolite, which is found in asbestos, caused fibers being inhaled to line the inside of the lung causing the deadly form of cancer that can spread to other ...


Asbestos Payout
Glasgow Daily Record, UK - Aug 19, 2008
A FORMER shipyard worker who is dying from mesothelioma caused by asbestos has been awarded damages of £130000. Thomas Renfrew, 63, worked on Clydeside as a ...


Hospital bosses pay out after asbestos death of maintenance man
Burnley Express,  UK - Aug 19, 2008
He had an X-ray and there was a shadow on his lung and doctors said it was mesothelioma and asked him if he had ever come into contact with asbestos. ...


COUNTY IS HOTSPOT FOR DISEASES
Derby Evening Telegraph, UK - Aug 18, 2008
The main diseases are asbestosis (the scarring of lung tissue), lung cancer, mesothelioma (cancer of the lining of the chest and lungs) and pleural disease. ...


Peerless Mill in Rossville, Georgia investigated for asbestos problem
Mesothelioma News, TX - Aug 19, 2008
EPD was concerned about the potential problem because xposure to asbestos fibers can cause asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma, a devastating cancer ...


Scientists research asbestos-related genes
Mesothelioma News, TX - Aug 17, 2008
Scientists concerned over the number of patients diagnosed each year with mesothelioma and other asbestos related diseases have completed a study of the ...


Carpenter killed by asbestos
Sussex Express, UK - Aug 19, 2008
... Green of Hawthylands Road, Hailsham on March 9 this year aged 57. of asbestos in his lung tissue and confirmed the cause of death was mesothelioma. ...


Weitz & Luxenberg Secures $16.25 Mil Jury Verdict in Asbestos Case
MarketWatch - Aug 11, 2008
The firm has played leading roles in national and local litigations involving asbestos/mesothelioma, defective medicines and medical devices such as Heparin ...

lung mesothelioma asbestos - Google News

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