What is Mesothelioma?
"Mesothelioma" (pronouced: meza-thee-lee-ohm-a) is the term used to describe a cancerous tumor which involves the mesothelial cells of an organ, usually the lungs or abdominal organs.
pleural mesothelioma
The most common type of mesathelioma, representing about 75% of mesothelioma cancer is pleural mesothelioma. The pleura is a thin membrane found between the lungs and the chest cavity. It provides a lubricated surface so that the lungs do not chafe against the chest walls. So a pleural mesothelioma is often referred to as a "lung" cancer. Any weakness of this membrane can also be pleurisy. The signs and symptoms of pleurisy and pleural mesothelioma can be very similar, so it is very important to get a correct diagnosis. Both pleurisy and pleural mesothelimia can be deadly.
peritoneal mesothelioma
Another form of mesothelioma is the peritoneal mesothelioma. The peritoneum is the membrane that encloses the organs of the abdomen. While statistiic show that peritoneal mesotheliomas are less common than pleural mesotheliomas, they tend to be more invasive, and usually result in a shorter life expectancy for the patient. The expected survival time of a person who has malignant mesothelioma is between 4 months and 2 years.
This form of mesostelioma can strike any of the organs protected by the peritoneum. This is why it is so important to be checked by a physician regularly if you are on the list of potential people who are more prone to this disease through the exposure caused by your employment.
There are many forms of cancer that exist today, but mesothelioma is one of the more severe types. Again, the cause of mesothelioma is usually a result of prolonged exposure to asbestos, but this is not the only cause as there are a few people inflicted with mesothelioma who never had any type of exposure to asbestos.
Exposure to Asbestos
Unfortunately, years ago, exposure to asbestos was very common. Many companies had employees working with asbestos. Not only was the employees at risk, but their families as well.. People who even wash the clothing of people exposed to asbestos are at risk. So it is not unusual for a wife of an asbestos worker to be affected if she were the sole person washing clothing. Another fact that is now coming to light is that it can take anywhere from 12 years to 50 years for mesothelioma.
A prominent case of mesothemlioma was the death of actor Steve McQueen from this cancer. His exposure to asbestos occurred when he worked in a shipyard as a young man: [FACT: Asbestos was heavily used in shipbuilding and raw building materials early in the 1900s. One medical study found that of the people working 20 or more years in the ship repair industry, 86% of them developed asbestos-related lung disease or lung cancer!] and later as a race car driver wearing asbestos suits. Nobody is immune!
What is disturbing is that back in the 50's and 60's there was already evidence that there was a link between asbestos and cancer. The government ignored it, people ignored it and yet there was a proven connection between asbestos and mesothelioma cancer back then!
Asbestos was a part of many, many products that were used by every day people, not just workers...we lived in houses built out of it! Asbestos was in roof insulation, brake linings for your automobiles, building materials and cement!!! YOU MUST WATCH THESE VIDEOS!!
Dr. Irving Selikoff Pioneering Asbestos Disease Researcher
Then there was the other side of the asbestos use. The PROMOTION of it:.
Vinyl Asbestos Floors
Video: Old Promotional Film For Asbestos
Mesothelioma is not always fatal and that is the hope to hold on to. The patient will have a chance to survive depending on how soon it is diagnosed, the size of the cancer, where it is located, how old the patient is, and how their body responds to the different cancer treatments. Typical treatments for mesothelioma are radiation therapy, surgery, chemotherapy, and photodynamic therapy as with any other cancer.
Precautions: If you currently work with asbestos, take care to safeguard yourself and your family. Wear protective gear, including masks and clothing, and always change your clothing before leaving work to avoid bringing the hazard home to your family!
There are literally thousands of websites out there explaining what this form of cancer is. Our intent is to create a site where people can find resources on how to do something about it! If this site helps you, please share it with as many people as you can. This site is not just for the people who have already been diagnosed but also for the thousands and thousands of people out there that have been exposed to asbestos products and are at rick for developing mesothilioma!