News : Mesothelioma: A Quick Overview

Mesothelioma, or to use its proper name malignant mesothelioma, is an uncommon form of cancer. It develops from the mesothelium that is the layer that protects many of the body’s internal organs. Mesothelioma is usually caused by exposure to asbestos. It is most commonly found in the internal chest wall and the external lining of the lungs, the pleura. Mesothelioma is also known to occur in the heart, the pericardium and the peritoneum.

Mesothelioma symptoms may not appear until between two and five decades after exposure to asbestos. The accumulation of fluid in the pleural space often leads to coughing, chest pains and shortness of breath. Peritoneal Mesothelioma is often detected, when sufferers report weight loss, pain and swelling in the abdominal area due to a build-up of fluid in the abdominal cavity. Anaemia, fever, bowel obstruction and blood clotting abnormalities can also be symptoms, remember however that these symptoms can be caused by less serious conditions.

In most cases exposure to asbestos is a common thread. In the United States, asbestos has been considered indisputably linked with Mesothelioma. There are however rare cases where the onset of Mesothelioma is not linked to exposure to asbestos.

Diagnosis of Mesothelioma is often incredibly challenging. There is a great deal of convergence with the symptoms of many other conditions. Usually the diagnostic process is started with a review of the patient’s medical history; a history of exposure to asbestos can often be the pointer that doctors look for when trying to diagnose Mesothelioma

Source : http://www.tomwilt.com/mesothelioma-a-quick-overview/8546126/