Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos.  Mesothelioma is not only hard to diagnose, but it is also difficult to treat affectively with therapy once diagnosed. Malignant mesothelioma is an extremely dangerous cancer, and is the most serious of all asbestos-related diseases.

Mesothelioma, often referred to as "meso", is a cancerous tumor of the mesothelium. The mesothelium is the tissue made up of specialized cells called mesothelial cells which line the chest cavity, abdominal cavity, and the cavity around the heart.

The mesothelium of the chest is known as the pleura. The mesothelium of the abdomen is called the peritoneum. The mesothelium of the pericardial cavity, which is the space around the heart, is called the pericardium.

Mesothelioma is a cancer that attacks any of these mesothelial regions.

People exposed to asbestos at an early age, for a long period of time, are most likely to develop this cancer. Mesothelioma, however, takes a very long time to develop. The time between exposure and diagnosis of mesothelioma is usually between 20 and 40 years.

The people most at risk for developing asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis are workers of all sorts of skills and trades who worked in a wide variety of job sites during and prior to the mid-1970s.  From the 1940s to the 1970s, many workers around the world were exposed to asbestos fibers and dust at their jobs.

Take Note: Family members of people who worked with or around asbestos have contracted mesothelioma by inhaling asbestos fibers that their relative brought home on his work clothes. People exposed to "tear-out" (the removal of asbestos products from a facility during a remodeling or asbestos abatement project) are also at risk if the tear-out was conducted without proper safety measures.

The trades and jobs listed below are just some examples of how people were typically exposed to asbestos. It is important to remember that you did not have to work directly with asbestos to be at risk for developing mesothelioma. 

Insulators (Asbestos Workers)	Maintenance Workers
Boilermakers	Steel Workers
Ship Fitters	Brake Mechanics
Pipe Fitters	Welders

Other Professions - Naval Officers, Electricians, Painters, Auto Mechanics, Bricklayers, Railroad Workers, Custodians, Carpenters, Factor Workers, Plumbers, Lathers, Loggers, Power Plant Employees, Drywall Installers, HVAC Workers, Demolition Workers, Longshoremen, and Stone Masons.

What are the symptoms of mesothelioma?

It is important to note that symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos.  The early symptoms of malignant mesothelioma are common symptoms that are not specific to the disease itself.

Note: People often mistake the symptoms for everyday sicknesses and ailments such as the common cold. Many people with mesothelioma have symptoms for only a few months before they are diagnosed.

Over half of the patients with pleural mesothelioma have pain at the side of the chest or in the lower back. Shortness of breath is almost always a symptom shared by patients. Some report coughing, fever, sweating, fatigue, difficulty swallowing, and weight loss. Extreme symptoms include coughing up blood, swelling of the face and arms, muscle weakness, and sensory loss.

Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include abdominal pain, weight loss, nausea, and vomiting. Some patients also suffer from hernias, fluid in the abdominal cavity, or the presence of a mass or bulge in the abdomen.

Anyone experiencing any of these symptoms who believes he or she has been exposed to asbestos should see a doctor immediately for diagnosis.