What is Mesothelioma?

Pleural mesothelioma is one of the most common types of lung cancer and is usually brought on by exposure to asbestos. When asbestos is inhaled, the micro fibers pass down the airways and become embedded in the pleura ( the thin outer lining of the lungs). This induces serious scarring and chronic inflammatory lesions on this delicate tissue. Over a period of time these lesions and scars slowly develop into pleural mesothelioma, a deadly form of lung cancer for which there is no definative cure. These asbestos micro fibers sometimes also settle in the abdomen, leading to the development of peritoneal mesothelioma. This type of cancer, although less common, is just as deadly.

Just like asbestosis, pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma usually have a long period of dormancy after exposure before clinical signs start to show. In fact some patients do not show symptoms for 40 years after exposure.

The common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are:

Coughing up small amounts of blood
Stomach / belly pain
Shortness of breath/ wheezing
Chronic cough
Chronic fatigue
Weight loss
Chest pain

Unfortunately mesothelioma (both pleural or peritoneal) is in most cases fatal. Sadly most patients die within two to three years of diagnosis. However, recently researchers have made great steps in finding useful treatments for the disease.

Available Mesothelioma Treatments are:

Palliative drainage of fluid from the chest (pleural cavity)
Surgery
Chemotherapy
Radiation
Gene therapy
Photodynamic therapy
Immunotherapy

If you have been diagnosed with asbestosis, mesothelioma, or asbestos exposure-related lung cancer, you could be entitled to compensation, depending on when you were exposed, where you were exposed, and where the companies you believe to be responsible currently reside.