Have you heard of Mesothelioma? It is a form of cancer that is almost always caused by previous exposure to asbestos. In this disease, malignant cells develop in the mesothelium, a protective lining that covers most of the body’s internal organs. Its most common site is the outer lining of the lungs and internal chest wall — pleura, but it may also occur in the the lining of the abdominal cavity — peritoneum, the heart, the a sac that surrounds the heart — pericardium or tunica vaginalis.

Most people who develop Mesothelioma cancer have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles, or they have been exposed to asbestos dust and fiber in other ways. Washing the clothes of a family member who worked with asbestos can also put a person at risk for developing mesothelioma.

The symptoms of Mesothelioma cancer include shortness of breath due to pleural effusion (fluid between the lung and the chest wall) or chest wall pain, and general symptoms such as weight loss. The diagnosis may be suspected with chest X-ray and CT scan, and is confirmed with a biopsy (tissue sample) and microscopic examination.

To know more information on Mesothelioma, you may visit www.mesotheliomahelp.net. You may be able to find important articles regarding this cancer.