Mesothelioma is a Term for Cancer Diseases

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer often caused by malignant cells develop in the mesothelium, a protective layer that covers most of the organs. The most common is the pleura (outside layer of the lungs and internal chest wall), but may also occur in the peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity), heart, or tunica vaginalis.

Most people affected by mesothelioma is caused by the work on the job in inhaled asbestos particles, or perhaps also because they have been exposed to asbestos dust and fibers in other ways. Wash the clothes of a family member who worked with asbestos can also be at risk for mesothelioma fell ill. Unlike lung cancer, and there is no relationship between mesothelioma and smoking. Compensation through the fund or asbestos lawsuits discuss important in mesothelioma (see asbestos and the law).

symptoms of mesothelioma include shortness of breath due to pleural fluid (fluid between the lungs and chest wall) or chest wall pain, and also because of excess body weight. Diagnosis can be suspected with chest X-ray and CT scan, and confirmed with a biopsy (eg network) and microscopic examination. A thoracoscopy (inserting a tube with a camera into the chest) can be used to take biopsies. Possible introduction of things such as talc to obliterate the pleural space (called pleurodesis), which prevents more fluid from accumulating and pressing on the lung.

Although treated with chemotherapy, radiation therapy or surgery, which carry the disease prognosis. Research about screening tests for early detection of mesothelioma is continuously.