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This mesothelioma overview covers pertinent mesothelioma information to encourage awareness and prevention.

Mesothelioma is the cancer of the mesothelium, which is commonly caused by asbestos exposure. This deadly disease affects the lining of the body’s major internal organs such as the heart, lungs and abdomen.

Almost all cases of mesothelioma have a link to asbestos exposure. However, there are rare cases of individuals with mesothelioma that did not have any known exposure to asbestos. Other mesothelioma cases have been associated with intrapleural thorium dioxide, irradiation, and inhalation of other fibrous silicates.

People who work in industries that use asbestos in manufacturing processes are at great risk of developing mesothelioma. Asbestos is used in a wide variety of industrial products including brake linings, cement, flooring products, roof shingles, textiles, furnace and pipe insulation materials, millboard, textured paints and coating materials.

Asbestos may be inhaled or swallowed. Victims of occupational exposure to asbestos may have inhaled asbestos particles in their jobs. Asbestos fibers can also be brought home through the worker’s clothes and shoes. That is why it is necessary for workers with asbestos exposure to always wash and change clothes before going home to their families.

Mesothelioma can be classified based on where the tumor was originally found. The types of mesothelioma are pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma, testicular and ovarian mesothelioma, and cystic mesothelioma. Although incidence rates of mesothelioma have increased over the past years, it is considered a relatively rare cancer.

Mesothelioma is hard to diagnose. The symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until 30 to 50 years after the exposure to asbestos. The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are shortness or breath, persistent cough, fatigue, chest pain, and pleural effusion or build-up of fluid between the parietal pleura and visceral pleura. In severe cases, tumor masses and the collapse of the lung may occur.

The symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include bowel obstruction, anemia, blood clotting abnormalities, weight loss, fever, and abdominal swelling due to a buildup of fluid in the abdomen. If the disease has spread throughout the body, there may also be pain, swelling of the face or neck, or trouble swallowing.

The major treatment options for mesothelioma include chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy. They are often used in combination with each other.