Mesothelioma Information: What Causes Mesothelioma?The following information and additional mesothelioma topics such as lawsuits, treatments, and more can be found in greater detail at http://www.mesothelioma-site.info.

Mesothelioma, which is a rare type of cancer, is very often caused by exposure of asbestos, and is more frequently diagnosed in those who’ve worked in the asbestos field for long periods of time. Approximately 20% of people that develop Mesothelioma Cancer have had no exposure to asbestos, which means the cause would be unknown. Some doctors and scientists claim that this cancer can be found in individuals that have had prior contact with family members or close friends that had worked in the asbestos industry in the past, though it’s not quite certain why this happens.

Asbestos is a type of woven fibers that can be found in many different places. Companies(mainly prior to 1990) have used asbestos in many products, such as:

1. Insulation(very common) 2. Cement 3. Concrete and concrete products 4. Auto brake linings 5. Flooring materials 6. Many types of textiles 7. Roofing shingles

People that worked with and around these materials were often at risk of swallowing or inhaling tiny asbestos particles, which can then lead to Mesothelioma cancer.

Near the end of the 1940’s, it is reported that millions of laborers had been exposed to asbestos dust, which seemed to be the cause of the influx in Mesothelioma cases over the last couple of decades.

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Mesothelioma is cancer that affects the mesothelium which is the lining or membrane that protects and covers most of the internal organs in the body cavity. The first layer encircles the organ and the second layer forms a sac for protection. There is a lubricating fluid present between the layers to facilitate movement. The mesothelium is called pericardium when it covers the heart, pleura when covering the lungs and peritoneum when covering the abdominal organs.In mesothelioma there is uncontrolled cell division which leads to the extra cell masses invading the nearby tissues and organs and causing damage. Mostly it is observed that mesothelioma begins in the pleura or the peritoneum. The cancer then metastasizes to other parts of the body.

Mesothelioma occurs mostly due to exposure to asbestos. This is considered to be the major risk factor. 70% to 80% of sufferers have a history of exposure to asbestos. There are exceptions to this and cases have been reported where asbestos exposure was found not to exist. The condition is more common in men as compared to women. It has also been found that risk increases with age.

Mesothelioma is a very rare. Mostly said to be associated with workplace exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is a collection of minerals that can be made to exist as strong masses of sheets or flexible fibers. It is widely used in industrial products like cement, roofs, flooring products, textiles, brake linings and insulation. Tiny particles of asbestos float in the air and can be inhaled or swallowed by the people exposed to it like the workers in manufacturing companies etc.

Continuous exposure over a period can lead to asbestosis. Exposure to asbestosis increases the risk of developing mesothelioma and other types of cancer like that of kidney and larynx. There are acceptable levels of asbestos exposure that have been brought into effect in workplaces using the mineral. Another very interesting aspect of mesothelioma is that family members of people exposed asbestos in their work place show an increased incidence of this cancer as compared to others. This has been attributed to the fact that the remnants of asbestos particles adhering to the clothes, hair etc when brought home can expose the family members to it.

The cancer takes around thirty to forty years to surface. The initial symptoms include shortness of breath, and pain in the chest if it is the pleura that are affected. If the cancer is in the peritoneum then there is weight loss, abdominal swelling and pain, fluid accumulation in the abdomen, bowel obstruction. Fever, anemia and blood clotting irregularities have also been observed. In severe cases there is swelling of the neck and face, trouble swallowing and severe pain.

Diagnosis of mesothelioma is very difficult since there are no specific symptoms. A medical history review would be very valuable since asbestos exposure needs to be determined. X rays of chest, abdomen, lung function tests, scans, MRI are the usual tools that help in confirming the diagnosis. Biopsy is done for the final confirmation and treatment includes chemotherapy and radiations.

To Your Health!