Mesothelioma Cancer Information

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is almost always directly caused by exposure to asbestos. Thus, jobs that require constant exposure to asbestos (asbestos miners, asbestos products, Shipyard workers, see Asbestos Mesothelioma Lawsuit) accompanied with great risk.

In a study carried out, it was found that up to 80% of all mesothelioma cancer patients have experienced prolonged exposure to asbestos at some point in their past. Mesothelioma is also a very rare form of cancer with only about 4,000 cases each year. There are three main types of mesothelioma cancer vary depending on the area of the body that have been affected. Three main types of peritoneal Mesothelioma Cancer, Mesothelioma and pleural pericardial Mesothelioma.

This cancer is called the mesothelium, a protective membrane that covers some of the cavity. The holes that we are interested in is the pleura, pericardium and peritoneum cavity.

symptoms of Mesothelioma are many and varied depending on the type of the affected area. Symptoms usually develop in future years (20-50 years). Peritoneal Mesothelioma - Weight loss, abdominal pain, abdominal swelling, nausea, lump in the abdomen, irregular bowel movements. Pleural Mesothelioma - Shortness of breath, cough (dry), a lump in the chest, chest pain, respiratory illness and cough. Pericardial Mesothelioma - chest pain, fever, palpitations, shortness of breath, murmurs, Orthopnea.

In rare cases, if cancer is caught early, cancer can be delivered into remission. If not, mesothelioma patients have survival rates remarkably. Patients who are diagnosed with advanced stages of mesothelioma are generally expected to have a life expectancy of about a year at most.

For those who have early stages of mesothelioma, the life expectancy is generally favorable with many going to live up to five years or more. There is still research in the field, though not much. The most active areas will be investigated pleural mesothelioma, spearheaded by 'Dr.David Sugarbaker' famous as well as other specialists should be noted in mesothelioma. At least they have managed to extend life of patients with pleural mesothelioma year.