What is Mesothelioma?

Its a form of a cancer.Its also called malignant mesothelioma.This cancer is developed by many of the linings, that covers internal organs of the body.It is cause when a person is exposed to asbestos.Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral found in the surface of the earth. It contains strong fibers.Chrysotile asbestos is the main cause of malignant pleural mesothelioma. The three most common forms of asbestos are chrysotile, amosite, and crocidolite.

malignant mesothelioma will mostly cause problems in pleura area of the body.The outer lining of lungs and internal chest wall is called pleura.

pleura, plural pleurae, or pleuras, membrane lining the thoracic cavity ( parietal cavity ) and covering the lungs ( visceral pleura). The parietal pleura folds back on itself at the root of the lung to become the visceral pleura. In health the two pleurae are in contact. When the lung collapses, however, or when air or liquid collects between the two membranes, the pleural cavity or sac becomes apparent . There are actually two pleural cavities, the right and the left; each constitutes a closed unit not connected to the other. The glistening surface of the pleura is made up of a sheet of flat cells, the mesothelium, which covers an underlying layer of loose elastic tissue. The pleura exudes a thin fluid that keeps it moist and lubricated.

Regular smoking greatly increases the risk of other asbestos-induced cancers.People working at asbestos and glass particles factories are mostly affected by mesothelioma.

Also washing the clothes of a family member who worked with asbestos or glass can put a person at risk for developing mesothelioma.

The symptoms of mesothelioma:----

1) Breathing problem.

2)Severe pain in chest wall.

3) Major weight loss in few days.

To confirm this problem, a x-ray and CT scan has to be done and is shown to the doctor.

A body tissue same is taken and this is tested by microscopic exams.