Mesothelioma – What Is Mesothelioma Cancer?

Exposure to asbestos is the primary cause of this form of cancer called mesothelioma. Jobs that deals with or takes place around asbestos is always suspect. The bulk of mesothelioma patients contracted this cancer because they worked around asbestos for a period of time.

Mesothelioma is also a exceptionally rare form of cancer with merely about 4000 cases each year. There are 3 chief types of mesothelioma cancer that differ depending on the region of the body that has been affected. The three main kinds of mesothelioma cancer are Peritoneal Mesothelioma, Pericardial Mesothelioma and Pleural Mesothelioma.

Because it affects the mesothelium, this cancer is known as mesothelioma. Peritoneal, Pleural Mesothelioma and Peritoneal mesothelioma are all named after the particular cavities that this cancer affects.

Mesothelioma Symptoms
Depending on the type of mesothelioma contracted, symptoms may vary. The symptoms can take as long as 50 years to show up.

Symptoms for peritoneal mesothelioma include Abdominal pain, lumps in the abdomen, erratic bowel movements and weight loss.

Pleural mesothelioma symptoms consist of chest pains, lumps in the chest, and painful breathing instead.

Pericardial Mesothelioma symptoms include Chest pain, fever, heart palpitations, difficulty breathing, murmurs, Orthopnea.

In rare cases, if the cancer is found extremely early, the cancer might be sent into remission. The survival rate of patients is not promising at all. Those suffering from advanced stages of mesothelioma generally have a year or so to live. For those that have an early phase of mesothelioma, life expectancy rates are usually positive with many going on to live up to 5 years or more.

There are especially few involved research centers on mesothelioma probably due to its uncommon occurance. The recognized specialist, Dr.David Sugarbaker and othernotable doctors elsewhere represent the few doctors that are making inroads into unraveling the mysteries of this cancer. It is possible to stretch the life expectancy by a number of years with aggressive treatment.

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