What is mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a kind of cancer developed in the mesothelium, which is cell layer lining the internal organs of the human body. Most cases of mesothelioma is proven to be associated with exposure to asbestos, a natural material that is used in buildings and ships. Mesothelioma can occur in outer lining of the lung (pleural mesothelioma), the lining of the abdominal cavity (peritoneal mesothelioma) or cell layers lining the heart (pericardial mesothelioma)

Most mesothelioma patients have been exposed to asbestos dust and fiber. They can even expose to the material indrectly by inhaled asbetos particles from family members working in the industry.

Symptoms of mesothelioma are dyspnea, chest pain when breathing, and other constitutional symptom such as anorexia and weight loss. Diagnosis is made by chest x-ray, CT scan and can be definitely diagnosed by biopsy of the pleura.

There are three treatment options currently used in mesothelioma patients. Surgery will be done to debulk most of the cancer cells from the body. Chemotherapy is used to eliminate the residual cancer cells. And radiotherapy will help prevent local recurrent and spreading.

Prognosis for mesothelioma is not good because mesothelioma is oftens diagnosed when the disease is in advanced stage. Early stage mesothelioma patient usually don't have strong signs and symptoms that urge physician to detect this deadly disease promtly. Rate of survival to 5 years after diagnosis may not exceed 10 percent.