Mesothelioma Overview

Mesothelioma Overview

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that primarily affects the lining of the lungs. In less common cases, the heart and abdomen can also be affected by mesothelioma cancer. Approximately 2,000 to 3,000 cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed each year in the United States, comprising around 3 percent of all cancer diagnoses. This cancer occurs about four times more frequently in men than in women and all forms of mesothelioma, except for benign mesothelioma, are terminal since no cure has been discovered.

The life expectancy for mesothelioma patients is generally reported as less than one year following diagnosis. However, a patient’s prognosis is affected by several factors, including how early the cancer is diagnosed and how aggressively it is treated.

In an effort to help patients understand mesothelioma, Asbestos.com offers a complimentary packet that contains treatment information tailored to your specific diagnosis. The packet also covers the nation's top mesothelioma doctors and cancer centers, as well as financial assistance options to help cover medical costs.

Mesothelioma Causes

Mesothelioma is primarily caused by asbestos exposure, which occurs when asbestos fibers are inhaled or ingested and become lodged in human tissue, causing inflammation or infection. Asbestos is a naturally-occurring fibrous substance that was once widely used in the 20th century in a number of different industries.

When the public became aware of the hazards associated with the mineral, warnings were issued in the mid-1970s and use of the product began to decline. More than 30 percent of those diagnosed with mesothelioma are veterans. Please visit the page on asbestos for additional information about the mineral.

Mesothelioma Types

here are five known types of mesothelioma. The four listed below are malignant cancers, and benign mesothelioma is a non-cancerous condition.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is the most common type of mesothelioma, a rare cancer that develops in the mesothelium (a membrane that lines many of the body’s organs and cavities). In the case of pleural mesothelioma, the cancer develops in the lining of the lungs, called the pleura or pleural membrane. Although a mesothelioma prognosis is typically poor for the majority of patients, some who are diagnosed early may qualify for a combination of aggressive therapies to improve life expectancy.

In an effort to help patients understand pleural mesothelioma, Asbestos.com offers a complimentary packet that contains treatment information tailored to your specific diagnosis. The packet also covers the nation's top mesothelioma doctors and cancer centers, as well as financial assistance options to help cover medical costs

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a rare, aggressive cancer caused by asbestos exposure. Of the 2,000 to 3,000 cases of mesothelioma diagnosed in the United States annually, 10 to 20 percent of the patients are diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma. Peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the abdomen, in the mesothelial cells that form a layer called the peritoneum.In an effort to help patients understand peritoneal mesothelioma, Asbestos.com offers a complimentary packet that contains treatment information tailored to your specific diagnosis. The packet also covers the nation's top mesothelioma doctors and cancer centers, as well as financial assistance options to help cover medical costs

Source:www.asbestos.com