Mesothelioma Types by T.Going

Mesothelioma Types

Exposure to asbestos or asbestos related products can cause a rare type of cancer called Mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is separated into two groups, malignant and benign.

The three main types of malignant mesotheliomas are epithelioid, sarcomatoid and mixed/biphasic. Epithelioid is the most common kind as around 50-70% of all mesothelioma cases reported are this type. Epithelioid also has the best chances of survival. It affects the internal organs and internal surfaces coverings. Sarcomatoid is a much more serious condition as it affects the secondary tissues in the body such as cartilage, muscles, bone and fat. However, this cancer is much rarer, as it only occurs 7-20% of the time. Mixed/biphasic is having both types of the cancer at once, and this makes up 20-35% of the occurrences.

There are three targeted areas that mesothelioma can affect. Pleural mesothelioma affects the pleural cavity around the lungs and is responsible for a majority 75% of all cases diagnosed. Peritoneal mesothelioma accounts for 10-20% of all cases and affects the tissues in the abdomen (especially the stomach and intestines). Pericardial mesothelioma is the rarest form which affects the sac and lining surrounding the heart.

Regardless of the type, mesothelioma is fatal. Survival rates are usually only 1-5 years after diagnosis. If you or a loved one has been affected by mesothelioma, you may have the legal right to seek compensation for your suffering. Please visit http://www.resource4mesothelioma.com for more information.




About the Author
This article may be freely re-printed as long as this resource box is included and all links stay in-tact.

Mesothelioma Cancer: Early Warning Signs and Causes by Craig Whitley

What is Mesothelioma?

Chances are you may never have heard of mesothelioma cancer unless you or a relative have the disease. Still considered as a rare cancer, it has been popularized by its linkage to asbestos.

Exactly what is mesothelioma cancer or malignant mesothelioma? Malignant mesothelioma is a deadly cancer of the mesothelium, or lining of the lung and chest cavity. However, it sometimes can be a deadly cancer of the peritoneum (the lining of the abdomen). It is almost always caused by exposure to asbestos, and is slow forming – often taking between 20-50 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.

Malignant Mesothelioma Symptoms

Symptoms of malignant mesothelioma in the lung and chest cavity are as follows:

- Shortness of breath
- Cough
- Weight Loss
- Chest Pain

Symptoms of malignant mesothelioma in the abdomen are as follows:

- Abdominal swelling and pain
- Weight Loss

Wondering How You Could Have Gotten Mesothelioma Cancer?

Several diseases are associated with exposure to asbestos. They include: malignant mesothelioma, asbestosis, pleural effusion, pleural plaques and thickening, and lung cancer.
Prior to 1975 asbestos fibers were commonly used. You could have been exposed to asbestos while working at any number of different industries. Chief among the possibilities would be jobs at asbestos mining and milling plants, shipyards, fireproofing and heating, construction, automotive repair, insulation, pipefitting and boilermaking.

If you did not work in one of these industries or another that used asbestos, it is also possible that you could have been exposed if someone in your household worked with asbestos and carried asbestos fibers home on his or her clothing, hair or body. You may also have been exposed indirectly by living near asbestos mines.

Although it is true that most patients with malignant mesothelioma, lung cancer or other asbestos-related diseases likely had prolonged exposure to asbestos over a long period of time, it is also possible for one to develop one of these diseases from a brief exposure to asbestos.

The odds of developing lung cancer from smoking also increases significantly from exposure to asbestos. Although most people with lung cancer are told that their lung cancer was caused from smoking, if you or someone you know has lung cancer and also worked in an environment that gave you exposure to asbestos, it is highly recommended that you contact an attorney that specializes in handling mesothelioma and lung cancer cases caused by exposure to asbestos. The justice system has been very generous in its rewards to people who suffer diseases caused by asbestos exposure.

To learn more about mesothelioma cancer I recommend you visit http://www.mesothelioma-cancer-online.com when searching for web resources covering mesothelioma cancer. Mesothelioma-Cancer-Online.com is an excellent resource center that offers recommendations and directory listings for numerous websites related to mesothelioma cancer, along with articles and books about mesothelioma cancer.



About the Author
Craig Whitley is a widely-published author and owner of the popular search engine Seek Dolphin. He routinely scouts the Internet for great web resources like Mesothelioma Cancer Online

Pleural mesothelioma by T.Going

Pleural mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer. This cancer affects the pleural sac that surrounds the lungs and is caused by exposure to asbestos. The pleural sac contains the lungs and also a small membrane called the mesothelium. The mesothelium secretes a fluid that allows the lungs to contract and expand during breathing. The inhalation of asbestos causes a build-up of asbestos fibers inside the lungs. Due to the microscopic size and sharpness of these fibers it’s possible for them to penetrate the walls of the lung and enter the pleural cavity. As these fibers travel from the lung into the pleural cavity, the sharp strands shred and mutilate the mesothelium potentially destroying it and causing cancer.

As the asbestos fibers move into the pleural cavity, cancerous tumors can develop and this thickens the pleural fluid and harms proper lung movement. The tumors also may constrict the lungs and press on the ribcage or other organs resulting in terrible pain. Since the lungs are responsible for re-oxygenating the blood, cancerous cells can now spread into other parts of the body through the bloodstream.

It is still unclear by scientists and doctors why asbestos fibers cause the mesothelium to mutate into cancer. However, as more and more asbestos cases are reported, doctors are learning more about this devastating condition. Some believe that only one single fiber can create the events that cause mesothelioma. Despite the fact that there is no cure for mesothelioma, early diagnosis can help doctors give patients the opportunity to relieve a great deal of suffering and possibly prolong the patient’s lives.

For more information about mesothelioma please visit http://www.resource4mesothelioma.com . This article may be freely reprinted as long as this resource box is included and all links stay intact.




About the Author
For more information about mesothelioma please visit http://www.resource4mesothelioma.com . This article may be freely reprinted as long as this resource box is included and all links stay intact.