What is mesothelioma?

A form of cancer that is always caused by exposure to asbestos. Check out Wikipedia

The tissue that lines your lungs, stomach, heart and other organs is called mesothelium. Mesothelioma is cancer of that tissue. It is a rare but serious type of cancer. It usually starts in the lungs, but can also start in the abdomen or other organs. Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles. It can take a long time – 30 to 50 years – between being around asbestos and getting the disease. Treatment includes surgery, radiation, chemotherapy or all three.

Mesothelioma is form of cancer that is caused by exposure to Asbestos. Pleural and Peritoneal are the two kinds of Mesothelioma. Pleural cancer forms in the lungs and Peritoneal cancer forms in the lining of the abdomen.

This disease usually forms in blue collar industrial workers who were exposed to asbestos on a day to day basis. Mesothelioma can take between 20–50 years to develop in people who are exposed to asbestos. Fortunately, post 1980 anti-asbestos laws were put in place in the United States and many other countries throughout the world in order to prevent this disease from gaining momentum.

The tragedy of this disease is that is currently incurable. Chemotherapy, radiology, and surgery are the most popular treatments, but they just postpone the eventual passing-away of the individuals who develop this cancer.

There is hope. Drugs like Thalidomide and Vinflunine are showing progress in fight in this asbestos related disease.

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesothelioma
http://www.adviceformesothelioma.com