Over exposure to asbestos leads to a form of cancer called mesothelioma: In this type of cancer, malignant cells are developed in the protective lining which covers most of the internal organs, known as mesothelium. Normally, pleura, which is the outer lining of the lungs and internal chest wall is affected by dangerous form of cancer, though it may also occur in the peritoneum, the lining of the abdominal cavity and the pericardium, the sac protecting the heart.

It has been found that most of the victims of mesothelioma: have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles. Another option is that they might have got exposed to asbestos dust and fiber in some other ways. Even the family members of the workers are at risk of contracting the disease. Asbestos particles found in the clothes or hair of the workers is enough to throw all those who come in close contact, at the mercy of the disease. It should be noted that smokers are greatly under the risk of asbestos-induced cancer. Also smoking increases the seriousness of the disease.

Wide range of symptoms is there for this disease, which includes shortness of breath, weight-loss, pain in the chest wall, fever etc. Many a times the disease is detected when the patient goes to the physician for treating some other disorders. If the doctor finds something to be suspicious, he advises a biopsy which may confirm the fatal illness.

There are mainly two difficulties that come in the way of curing mesothelioma. The first factor is that diagnosis of the disease mostly takes place very late after asbestos exposure. Sometimes it may even take five decades for the symptoms to appear. By that time it would be too late. The second difficulty is that the symptoms are common for different types of mesothelioma which makes proper diagnosis a Herculean task. If the disease is detected in time, and proper diagnosis is made, chances of survival for the patient increases vastly.

The location of the cancer, the stage of the disease, the patient’s general health and age are the basic factors which determine treatment for mesothelioma: Chemotherapy, radiation and surgery are the standard treatment options available for the patients. Doctors may combine these methods according to their discretion.

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