What is Mesothelioma Cancer?

Mesothelioma is an asbestos-related aggressive cancer affecting the membrane lining of the lungs and abdomen.The disease often presents with symptoms that mimic other common ailments. This makes diagnosis extremely difficult. Although there is currently no known cure for mesothelioma, treatments such as surgery and chemotherapy can help to improve the typical mesothelioma prognosis.

Asbestos fibers that are inhaled through the mouth and nose may eventually become embedded in the lining of the lungs, causing harmful inflammation of the pleura and resulting in mesothelioma or asbestosis (scar tissue formation in the lungs). Occupational exposure is the most common source of exposure

The cavities within the body encompassing the chest, abdomen, and heart are surrounded by a membrane of cells known as the mesothelium. Malignancies (cancerous tumors) occurring within the mesothelial membranes are known as malignant mesothelioma, or simply mesothelioma. Benign tumors of the mesothelium are known to occur, but are much more rare than malignant mesothelial tumors.

Symptoms of Mesothelioma are: Anemia, Blood Clotting Disorder, Bowel Obstruction, Chest Pain, Dysphagia, Fluid Effusion, Hemoptysis, Nausea, Peritoneal Effusion, Weight Loss

Some Occupations related to asbestos exposure

Aeronautical Engineers

Aircraft Mechanic

Auto Mechanics

Blacksmiths

Boilermakers

Brick and Stone Masons

Bulldozer Operators

Cabinet makers

Carpenters

Chemical Technicians

Civil Engineers

Construction Workers

Crane Operators

Draftsmen

Drill Press Operators

Drywall Tapers

Electric Power Linemen

Electrical Engineers

Electricians

Firefighters

Forge Men

Freight and Material Handlers

Furnace/Smelter Operators

Garage Mechanics

Grinding Machine Operators

Hairdressers

Heavy Equipment Mechanics

Home Inspectors

Household Appliance Installers

HVAC Workers

Industrial Engineers

Industrial Plant Workers

Insulators

Iron Workers

Machinists

Mechanical Engineers

Merchant Marines

Metal Lathers

Millwrights

Mixing Operators

Molders

Oil Refinery Workers

Operating Engineers

Painters

Pipefitters

Plasterers

Plumbers

Police

Power Plant Workers

Railroad Workers

Road Machine Operators

Roofers

Sailors and Deckhands

Sales Engineer

Sawyers

Sheet Metal Workers

Shipyard Workers

Stationary Engineers

Steamfitters

Structural Metal Craftsmen

Telephone Repairmen

Textile Operator

Tile Setters

Tinsmith

Tool makers

Weavers

Welders