Find out what you need to know about the cancer mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma is a certain type of cancer, which affects people who have been in direct and prolonged exposure to asbestos. In this particular type of cancer, the malignant cells will develop in what is known as the mesothelium. This is a special protective lining which coats pretty much all of the organs within the body.

The people who get mesothelioma are the people who have worked in atmospheres and in jobs where they are likely to have inhaled the asbestos particles. They may have also been exposed, possibly without their knowledge, to asbestos dust. People have also developed the cancer mesothelioma when they inadvertently breathed in the dust of the asbestos from other family member’s clothes, possibly when they have returned home from work.

There is no link between smoking and developing mesothelioma as once thought. Mesothelioma is only developed when the sufferer has been in either indirect or direct contact with mesothelioma.

There are a few symptoms of mesothelioma that people who worked with asbestos 10 years ago plus should be aware of. For instance, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing is due to excess fluid between the chest wall and the lungs. Weight loss for no apparent reason is also another potential sign of the cancer mesothelioma.

Diagnosis of mesothelioma is usually made by using x-rays for the chest area or possibly a CT scan. If it is indeed mesothelioma, it will be confirmed by a biopsy being performed on a sample of tissue. That sample of tissue will then be examined under microscopic conditions.

Initial diagnosis is never simple with regards to mesothelioma. This is purely because the symptoms could be pretty much any other illness or disease. If you know you have been in contact with asbestos at any time of your life, you need to inform your doctor of this. They will more than likely request a CT scan or an X-ray of your lungs and chest area.

Other signs and symptoms of mesothelioma are as follows:

• Severe chest pain

• Fluid around the lung area

• Becoming very tired very quickly

• Lack of breath after simple activities – breathing difficulties

• Coughing up blood

• Serious wheezing

Unfortunately the prognosis for mesothelioma is extremely poor and death is almost certain. The sufferers have often started court proceedings against the companies that used asbestos and the ones with asbestos rarely live to see the end of the court cases.