Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is an aggressive form of lung cancer that results from exposure to asbestos fibers. Malignant mesothelioma is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the lining of the chest or abdomen.

Mesothelioma (cancer of the mesothelium) is a disease in which cells of the mesothelium become abnormal and divide without control or order. They can invade and damage nearby tissues and organs. Cancer cells can also metastasize (spread) from their original site to other parts of the body. Most cases of mesothelioma begin in the pleura or peritoneum.

There are two types of Mesothelioma, which are pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma.

Sometimes the cancer causes fluid to collect around the lung or in the abdomen. These mesothelioma symptoms may be caused by the fluid or malignant mesothelioma. Other conditions may cause the same symptoms. A doctor should be consulted if any of the following problems occur:

• Trouble breathing.

• Pain under the rib cage.

• Pain or swelling in the abdomen.

• Lumps in the abdomen.

• Weight loss for no known reason.

Although reported incidence rates have increased in the past 20 years, mesothelioma is still a relatively rare cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute (www.cancer.gov), about 2,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in the United States each year. Mesothelioma occurs more often in men than in women and risk increases with age, but this disease can appear in either men or women at any age.