Asbestos Cancer

Over the course of the past century, millions of people have unknowingly been exposed to asbestos, a class of fibrous minerals known to cause a variety of cancers.
Often referred to as "asbestos cancer," mesothelioma is the most common form of cancer caused by asbestos exposure.

Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a rare, aggressive cancer that develops in the mesothelial cells that line many organs and body cavities. The cancer typically attacks the thin lining of the lungs, abdomen or heart, known as the mesothelioma. Each year an estimated 2,000 to 3,000 new cases of malignant mesothlioma are diagnosed in the United States.

Types of Mesothelioma

Pleural Mesothelioma is the most common type of malignant mesothelioma, comprising approximately 75 percent of all mesothelioma cases. This type develops in the lining of the lungs, called the pleura.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma develops in the abdomen’s peritoneum, a layer that covers the abdominal cavity and surrounds abdominal organs.

Pericardial Mesothelioma develops in the pericardium, a membrane that surrounds the heart and provides protection and support to this organ.

Testicular Mesothelioma the rarest form of mesothelioma, develops in the lining surrounding the testicle, called the tunica vaginalis.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is the most common type of mesothelioma a rare cancer that develops in the mesothelial cells that make up 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. The pleura is comprised of two layers which provide support and protection for the lungs and chest cavity. The outer layer, or the parietal layer, lines the entire chest cavity and the diaphragm. The inner layer, or visceral layer, covers the lungs. Pleural mesothelioma typically develops in one layer, but can metastasize, or spread, to the other layer.
Like all mesothelioma cancers, pleural mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure and develops when the toxic asbestos fibers become trapped in the spaces between the mesothelial cells.
Asbestos.com offers pleural mesothelioma patients and their loved ones a comprehensive packet including information about various treatment options and top doctors to help those diagnosed understand their condition and applicable treatment options available. To receive this complimentary packet call 800-615-2270.

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 membranous layer called the peritoneum.
The peritoneum is a membranous layer that is made up of two 'sub-layers' called the parietal and visceral layers. The parietal layer covers the abdominal cavity, while the visceral layer surrounds abdominal organs. Together these two layers provide support and protection for abdominal organs and the abdominal cavity as a whole.
Peritoneal mesothelioma, like all types of mesothelioma, is caused by asbestos exposure. Though it can take many years for a patient to demonstrate symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma, the cancer develops when the asbestos fibers become lodged in the spaces between the mesothelial cells.
A peritoneal mesothelioma diagnosis can leave patients and their loved ones confused and questioning what to do next. We offer a complimentary packet for peritoneal mesothelioma patients containing information about their specific diagnosis, treatment options and top doctors

Pericardial Mesothelioma

Pericardial mesothelioma accounts for approximately half of all pericardial tumors and is an extremely rare. Researchers from various mesothelioma studies report that pericardial mesothelioma accounts for approximately 1 to 6 percent of all mesotheliomas. To date, fewer than 150 cases have been presented in medical literature and approximately 200 cases have been reported worldwide. Pericardial tumors are typically diffuse (not localized) and tend to cover most of the heart.
Pericardial mesothelioma develops in the pericardium, a membrane made up of mesothelial cells that surrounds the heart and provides protection and support to this organ. The membrane is composed of two different layers: an outer layer called the parietal layer (called the heart sac or theca cordis), and an inner layer known as the visceral layer (called the epicardium). The parietal layer is part of a larger membrane that lines the entire chest cavity, while the visceral layer is the pericardial membrane that lines the heart.

Testicular Mesothelioma

Testicular mesothelioma is the rarest form of malignant mesothelioma, a cancer caused by asbestos exposure. To date, less than one hundred cases of this type of mesothelioma have been reported.
Testicular mesothelioma develops in the membranous lining that surrounds the testicle, the tunica vaginalis, which provides protection and support for the reproductive organ

Symptoms

The Symptoms of mesothelioma typically arise 20 to 50 years after initial exposure to asbestos occurs. The commonality of the symptoms, which, in the case of pleural mesothelioma, often resemble less-serious conditions such as influenza, can make mesothelioma very difficult to diagnose. Symptoms include:

Shortness of breath

Chest pain

Persistent coughing

Fatigue

Night sweats or fever

Unexplained weight loss

Mesothelioma patients and their loved ones often wish to gather as much information about mesothelioma as possible after diagnosis. Asbestos.com offers a comprehensive packet containing all the information from this Web site and additional literature to help patients and their families fully understand their diagnosis. To receive this complimentary packet overnight call 800-615-2270.

Diagnosis

In most cases, a patient is not diagnosed with mesothelioma until the cancer has progressed to later stages of development because of the long latency period associated with the disease. Once a doctor suspects that a patient may have mesothelioma, one or more diagnostic tests are typically ordered. These tests include medical imaging tests such as X-rays, Ct and MRI scan and Biopsy procedures that test fluid samples and tissue for the presence of cancerous cells. Diagnostic tests also reveal the cancer’s progression and whether it has spread to other parts of the body.

Treatment and Cure

Though no known cure currently exists for mesothelioma, many patients elect to undergo treatment to make living with the cancer more comfortable