Important mesothelioma questions which can help you fight this deadly cancerINDEX...HOME Good Sites What is mesothelioma? Mesothelioma is a dangerous cancer of the lining of the lungs, chest and abdomen caused by asbestos. When asbestos fibers or dust is inhaled, they settle in the lining of these organs and turn cancerous over time. What is asbestos? Asbestos is a naturally occurring, long and thin fibrous mineral. It is used in numerous industries due to its fire retardant properties. It was widely used in building construction materials for insulation. Mostly, it was used in ships, cars and other industries. Why is asbestos a dangerous material? Asbestos is very dangerous due to its ability to damage the cellular structure of internal organs of the body. Lungs and stomach lining are vulnerable to this material as it can stick to the lining and cause malignant growth. How can asbestos cause mesothelioma? When asbestos is inhaled, it settles into the lining of the organs. It causes the mesothelium or the lining cells to multiply abnormally. These cells begin to multiply and divide and affect the working of the organs and tissues of the body. Can asbestos exposure cause other diseases too? Yes, asbestos exposure can cause other diseases too. They include pulmonary asbestosis, lung cancer, pleura plaque and mesothelioma, cancer of chest and abdominal lining and asbestosis which is lung scarring that can prove fatal. Which products contain asbestos which can cause mesothelioma? A large number of products contain asbestos which lead to its exposure and inhalation. Some of these products are: Pipes Furnace insulation materials Asbestos shingles Millboards Textured paints Coating materials Floor tiles Car brakes Insulations Acoustical ceilings Fireproofing Gaskets Clutch plates Stage curtains Fire blankets Interior fire doors Fireproof clothing for firefighters Thermal pipe insulatio How long does it take to develop mesothelioma after asbestos exposure? In most of the cases, it takes from about 20-50 years for the patient to develop mesothelioma after asbestos exposure. The latency period of the disease is very long and one can develop the disease after decades of working in the asbestos industry. How can asbestos exposure cause mesothelioma? Whenever asbestos fibers or dust are exposed they can be inhaled. These fibers or dust stick to the lining of the internal organs of the body and cause mesothelioma. What are the forms of mesothelioma? There are 3 forms of mesothelioma. - The most common form is pleural mesothelioma or cancer of the lining of the lungs. It affects the lining surrounding the lungs and chest cavity. - The other common form is peritoneal mesothelioma, which attacks the cell membrane around the inside of the abdomen. - The rarest form of mesothelioma is pericardial mesothelioma, which damages the cells in the sac around the heart. How is mesothelioma recognized? Mesothelioma is recognized by its symptoms. In the beginning, some of these symptoms may be mistaken for other diseases. However, it is only by tests and checkups that mesothelioma is recognized. What are the symptoms of mesothelioma? The first symptoms are often shortness of breath, chest pain, fever, cough, and nausea, pain in the abdomen or anemia. All of these symptoms should be thoroughly investigated as they can also be caused by less serious illnesses, which make diagnosis difficult in its early stages. Who is at risk for developing mesothelioma? People working directly with asbestos or asbestos related industry are at most risk for developing mesothelioma. This includes people working in shipyards, dockyards, carpentry, demolitions, factory work, asbestos factory, mines, mills, insulation, installation of brake linings in vehicles and other similar places. Is there any treatment for mesothelioma? There are various treatment options for mesothelioma which include: Tri-modality Therapy Surgery Radiation Therapy Alternative Medicine Chemotherapy Chemotherapy Clinical Trials Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) Gene Therapy Drug Therapy Pain Control and Managemen How can we help mesothelioma patients? We can help mesothelioma patients by giving them the best and most effective treatment as soon as possible after the cancer is diagnosed. Only effective treatment can help mesothelioma patients in their recovery. What should be done if someone is diagnosed with mesothelioma? The first thing to do if someone is diagnosed with mesothelioma is to contact a doctor who handles mesothelioma cases. The other most important thing is to contact a mesothelioma lawyer or attorney to file a case against the responsible industry whose negligence caused asbestos exposure. What is the best way to fight mesothelioma in US? The best way to fight mesothelioma in US is to find a good hospital and a mesothelioma attorney. There are numerous law firms and attorneys in US who deal with mesothelioma cases and help patients in getting a fair compensation for their treatment and medical bills. What should I do if one of my family members is diagnosed with mesothelioma? If any one of your family members is diagnosed with mesothelioma, you can help them find a mesothelioma cancer center where they will get the best of treatments. Also, you can contact a mesothelioma attorney and file a compensation case on their behalf. Is there a cure for mesothelioma? Unfortunately there is no cure for this deadly cancer. It can only be treated after early diagnosis depending upon the location and stage of cancer. |