Mesothelioma And Asbestos Information

Malignant mesothelioma could become possibly the greatest health crisis ever faced by the American public. This disease does not discriminate in its victims; although the great deal of people that struggle with malignant mesothelioma now are into their 60s or 70s or 80s, some doctors and other healthcare professionals believe there could possibly be a mesothelioma epidemic in the decades to come due to the fact that virtually everyone in the United States has been asbestos at some point in their lives. The latency period between exposure and malignancy is quite long, making this disease extremely difficult to detect, and in some cases it only takes an single contact with asbestos to begin the domino effect that will eventually result in malignant mesothelioma.

When asbestos enters the body through inhalation or ingestion, its jagged, microscopic shards pierce the organs it settles in and tear through them into the mesothelium. Once the shards pierce the mesothelium, the tissue can develop malignant mesothelioma plaques and cancerous tumors. Although pleural mesothelioma is the most common type of malignant mesothelioma because asbestos fibers are easily carried through the air, due to the location in the chest and natural function of the lungs this deadly cancer can spread easily from them through the circulatory system. Once malignant mesothelioma is entrenched in the mesothelium the organ in question will begin to malfunction. The organs can no longer move easily; this means the lungs cannot inhale or exhale, the heart cannot pump, and the gastrointestinal tract cannot process food properly. Treating mesothelioma is often difficult because the initial stages are often confused with less dangerous conditions, and by the time symptoms appear they are often too advanced to treat. This is a quite painful and unpleasant experience, and most victims of malignant mesothelioma rarely live longer than a year after diagnosis. Asbestos was used throughout the United States because it is sturdy, pliable, and an extremely effective insulator. Schools, churches, office buildings, private homes, virtually every structure had asbestos in the walls, ceilings, or floors. Unfortunately, as the material breaks down it can release its deadly fibers into the air where they can be inhaled or ingested by anyone in the area. Another deadly aspect of this material derives from the fact that it is extraordinarily small and

extraordinarily light. Asbestos fibers can settle on the hair and clothes of those that have initial contact with it, and they can carry it with them and potentially expose others to malignant mesothelioma. Malignant mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the mesothelium, the lining that surrounds many important organs. The mesothelium is a mucous membrane that secretes lubrication so that the organs can move and function properly. Correspondingly, there are three main types of mesothelia: • • •

Pleura: this sac surrounds the lungs and the thoratic cavity Peritoneum: this sac surrounds the stomach and lower intestines Pericardium: this sac surrounds the heart

It will take decades to determine what effect asbestos has had on the population of the United States. Time will tell if the worst fears of malignant mesothelioma held by some doctors and scientists come true. Mesothelioma is an extremely malignant and incurable cancer that infects the membrane that surrounds most of the internal organs. Mesothelioma is also a very subtle form of cancer, with few noticeable symptoms until the disease is extremely advanced. The most common type of mesothelioma, pleural mesothelioma, causes shortness of breath or a chronic cough that are easily confused with allergies or a cold. In most cases, mesothelioma is discovered by accident, as patients report other symptoms that lead to its discovery. Other symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include: • Constant chest pain • Chronic cough that worsens over time • Coughing up blood • Difficulty breathing • Fatigue • Lung infection (pneumonia, bronchitis) • Shortness of breath • Swollen lymph nodes • Loss of appetite and weight loss • Wheezing Pleural mesothelioma represents 75% of mesothelioma cases - but it is far from the only type of this deadly cancer. Peritoneal mesothelioma affects the lining around the stomach and intestines, and is just as dangerous and deadly. Common symptoms include: • Weight loss - but waist may increase in size. • Pain or swelling in the abdomen - fluid retention or tumor growth. • Bowel obstruction - blockage in the small or large intestine. • Anemia - a reduction in the number of red blood cells to below normal; this forces the heart and other organs to work harder to get oxygen where it's needed. • Fever It is important for higher risk groups such as asbestos and construction workers to have frequent check-ups to monitor any conditions leading to mesothelioma. Because mesothelioma is so

deadly, early diagnosis and treatment can help prolong life, but the mortality rate for mesothelioma is usually 100% within five years.

Mesothelioma is an extremely nasty and permanent cancer that infects the membrane surrounding most internal organs. It is also a very subtle form of cancer providing only a few noticeable symptoms until it becomes extremely advanced. The most common type of mesothelioma is called pleural mesothelioma. It causes shortness of breath and/or chronic coughing that can easily be mixed up with allergies or a common cold. In many cases mesothelioma is discovered by accident when patients are looking into these symptoms. Other symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include: -Chest Pain -Chronic coughing that worsens over time -Shortness of breath -Coughing up blood -Fatigue -Wheezing -Lung infection -Swollen lymph nodes -Loss of appetite and weight loss 75% of all mesothelioma cases are Pleural mesothelioma. Another type is called Peritoneal mesothelioma. Peritoneal mesothelioma affects the lining around the stomach and intestines and can be just as dangerous and deadly. Symptoms of Peritoneal mesothelioma include: -Pain or swelling in the abdomen -Weight loss -Bowel obstruction – blockage in the small / large intestine -Anemia – reduction in number of red blood cells -Fever High risk groups such as asbestos and construction workers must undergo frequent check-ups to monitor any conditions leading to mesothelioma. Because this cancer is so deadly, early diagnosis and treatment can help prolong life, but the mortality rate is usually 100% within five years. To learn more about mesothelioma and asbestos cancer, or to contact a mesothelioma attorney please visit our website at http://www.resource4mesothelioma.com