mesothelioma fact sheet Asbestos Fact Sheet Stanford University EHS Malignant Mesothelioma - Facts You Need to Know

The National Cancer Institute described Malignant Mesothelioma as a rare and fatal disease. It is really a type of cancer that affects the mesothelial cells within the sac lining in the serous cavities. The serous cavities protect the major organs from the body from abrasion due to breathing. Mesotheliomas start as a tumor. It continuously propagates to the surrounding tissues and finally affects the key organs from the body for example the lungs, abdomen and the heart.

NIOSH Study: Firefighters Twice as Likely to Die of Mesothelioma as the General Population

Most patients informed they have malignant mesothelioma had previous exposure to asbestos. The World Health Organization (WHO) discovered that asbestos is often a human carcinogen which is directly connected with mesothelioma. It can be a fibrous mineral useful for making fireproof articles, cement, insulation as well as other industrial applications. When the asbestos fibers are inhaled it remained in the organs. It eventually caused scarring and inflammation which results in mesothelioma. People exposed to asbestos for starters or 60 days will likely develop the disease. Its effect for the serous cavities is just not immediate. In fact it is only recently that folks exposed to asbestos inside 1960s and '70s are clinically determined to have mesothelioma. WHO further suggested that we now have additional factors affecting mesothelioma because not everyone subjected to it develop the illness.

White Asbestos Harmless chrysotile sheeting unlike blue and brown variety used in insulation

WECF English Publications 2008 Asbestos: A silent killer on a global scale

Each patient of malignant mesothelioma has treatment methods with respect to the type and stage of the cancer. The traditional treatments of the malignant disease try and remove the cancerous cells and stop its growth. Treatments available include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation or possibly a combination thereof. A patient's response for the treatment differs from another; others may go through nausea and vomiting through the procedure. Unfortunately, these treatments can possibly damage the healthy cells also.A� That is why scientists and doctors are trying to develop new drugs and advanced treatment processes to profit the patients. Their study and research led to improve surgical and radiotherapy techniques and postoperative care.A�

A person with malignant mesothelioma only exhibits symptoms after 10 to half a century from exposure. During these years, the cancer has continued to advance and also the treatment grows more difficult. From that circumstance, individuals with previous asbestos exposure are encouraged to undergo front and side view x-ray. The result has to be read with a B-reader radiologist certified as such from the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health. Aside from x-ray, a pulmonary function make sure physical examination is going to be necessary. These examinations have to be done often to help keep track of the progress with the cancer.