Mesothelioma 101

Mesothelioma simply put is a cancer of mesothelial tissue, associated especially with exposure to asbestos.

Asbestos and Lung Cancer
A naturally occurring mineral that contains fibers, asbestos has been identified as the most common industrial substance that induces lung cancer. When fibers of asbestos disintegrate, they release microscopic particles in the air. Since they are easily inhalable, they can settle down in the lungs, leading to cell damage and increased cancer risks.

Lung cancer, or bronchial carcinoma, occurs in several forms. The most common causes of lung cancer are smoking and asbestos. This web site has focused on the most lethal of the lung cancers-mesothelioma. Not every asbestos-related lung cancer, however, is a mesothelioma. Other thoracic carcinomas, such as adenocarcinoma, are also caused by exposure to asbestos.

The connection between asbestos exposure and lung cancer was noted as early as 1925, and confirmed over the next 70 years by many epidemiologic studies of asbestos-exposed workers. The four main types of commercially used asbestos, chrysotile, amosite, anthophyllite, and mixtures containing crocidolite, have all been associated with an increased risk of lung cancer. About one in seven people who suffer from asbestosis, a lung disease resulting from high exposure to asbestos, eventually develop lung cancer.

Symptoms of Lung Cancer
Symptoms commonly associated with lung cancer include constant chest pain, persistent cough, fatigue, loss of appetite, shortness of breath or wheezing, repeated bronchitis or pneumonia and swelling in the face or neck.

Asbestos Hazards
Asbestos is not always an immediate hazard. In fact, if asbestos can be maintained in good condition, it is recommended that it be left alone and periodic surveillance performed to monitor it’s condition. It’s only when asbestos containing materials are disturbed or the materials become damaged that it becomes a hazard. When the materials become damaged, the fibers separate and may then become airborne.

Mesothelioma Law

Interestingly, there is no law that says asbestos has to be removed. It is only when the material can no longer be maintained in good condition and/or the airborne concentrations of asbestos are measured to be too high, or when the building is to be demolished or renovated, that removal may become the only option. This is the genesis of the legal crisis associated with deadly disease. We will discuss this in details in our subsequent articles. Be sure to bookmark this site and check back regularly.

Mesothelioma Asbestos Cancer Symptoms

Can Exposure to Very Low Levels of Asbestos Induce Pleural Mesothelioma?

Asbestos is a recognized human carcinogen, causally related to pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma and to lung cancer.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma can include: pain in the chest or lower back, shortness of breath, a high temperature (fever) of 38ºC (100.4ºF) and sweating, particularly at night, a persistent cough, unexplained weight loss.

Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma can include: pain or swelling in the tummy (abdomen), feeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting), loss of appetite, unexplained weight loss, diarrhoea or constipation