Mesothelioma is a malignant tumor in the lining of the chest and abdominal cavities. It is a rare form of cancer, with about 3,500 cases diagnosed in the United States each year. Most people who develop this cancer have a history of exposure to the widely found carcinogen asbestos.

Malignant mesothelioma is usually not curable, although some surgical cures have been reported in a very few patients with very localized tumors. Most patients, however, have widespread disease at the time of diagnosis, with chest pain and a buildup of fluid within the cavity involved-chest or abdominal-that causes shortness of breath or abdominal swelling. Treatment at this stage, which may involve removing the fluid and the tumor, is usually directed toward relieving these symptoms.

Types
Malignant mesothelioma is a tumor that can have fibrous and epithelial elements. Epithelial cancers that develop in the tissues that cover the surface of or line internal organs are carcinomas, so the epithelial form of mesothelioma is sometimes confused with adenocarcinomas of the lung or metastatic carcinomas. Epithelial mesotheliomas seem to have a better prognosis than other types.

How It Spreads
Mesotheliomas start in the membranes lining the chest or in the membranes of the abdominal cavity. They can spread via the lymphatic channels to the lymph nodes of the middle of the chest. They can also spread via the bloodstream within and beyond the cavity of origin and metastasize to other organs such as the lungs and chest wall and to abdominal organs such as the bowel.

What Causes Mesothelioma
Inhalation of asbestos fibers is a primary cause. About 70,000 tons of asbestos is used in the United States each year, in cement, brake linings, roof shingles, insulation, flooring products and packing materials. Asbestos has also been found as a contaminant in talc, which is also associated with ovarian cancer. Many urban water reservoirs contain asbestos-like fibers, and most public and private buildings contain asbestos. Only recently has the strong association between asbestos exposure and malignancy been recognized and appropriate industrial and health standards for exposure been put into effect.

It is sometimes difficult to prove the relationship between asbestos exposure and the development of mesothelioma. The risk of developing the disease begins about fifteen years after the first exposure and increases each year up to forty to forty-five years after the first exposure. It is estimated that about 8 million people living in the United States have been occupationally exposed to asbestos over the last half century during the mining and milling of the mineral and during various manufacturing processes. It has been estimated that there will be 250,000 cases of mesothelioma in the United States and United Kingdom by the year 2025.

1. Mesothelioma Victims Center Offers Individuals Diagnosed With Mesothelioma Critical Information About Mesothelioma … (PRWeb via Yahoo! News) - The Mesothelioma Victims Center was created to be an unparalleled resource for an individual, or the loved ones of an individual, attempting to deal with a mesothelioma cancer diagnosis.
2. Inspectors say schools fail to protect pupils and staff from asbestos (Independent) - Asbestos tests on dozens of schools have revealed “unacceptable” safety standards that could be putting thousands of children and teachers at risk.
3. Mesocare.org Presents Question and Answer Session for Mesothelioma Patients and Their Families (PRWeb via Yahoo! News) - On Tuesday February 9, 2010 at 5:00 pm CST, Sharon Myers, Nurse Practitioner of MD Anderson will be taking calls and e-mails on behalf of Mesocare.org for patients and their families.
4. Aviva, Zurich May Face New Asbestos ‘Spiral’ in U.K. (Update2) (Bloomberg) - Feb. 5 (Bloomberg) — Ernie Terry needed a moment to regain his breath after climbing the stairs at his house in Bisley, south of London. “Give me a minute,” he said, coughing. “Every time you get a call, you wonder, ‘will this be the one that tells me I’ve got mesothelioma?’”
5. Aviva, Zurich May Face ‘Spiral’ of New Asbestos Claims in U.K. (Bloomberg) - Feb. 5 (Bloomberg) — Ernie Terry needed a moment to regain his breath after climbing the stairs to answer the phone. “Give me a minute,” he said, coughing. “Every time you get a call you wonder, ‘will this be the one that tells me I’ve got mesothelioma?’”
6. Kalamazoo County commissioner Grady Biby, 69, dies from cancer (The Kalamazoo Gazette) - Grady Biby stunned his fellow Kalamazoo County commissioners in late July when he announced he would be absent for two months as he battled cancer. The Texas Township Republican was never able to return and on Wednesday lost his battle with mesothelioma.
7. The Mesothelioma Victims Center Offers Mesothelioma Victims The Names Of The Most Capable Lawyers For The Best Help (PRWeb) - The Mesothelioma Victims Center was created after a close family member was diagnosed with this rare form of cancer. The Mesothelioma Victims Center is saying, “we will help the family with Social Security, the VA, or doing research on the best medical facilities in the area of the mesothelioma victim-for free. As importantly, we will give the victim, or their loved ones, the names of the most …
8. The Mesothelioma Victims Center Offers Mesothelioma Victims The Names Of The Most Capable Lawyers For The Best Help (PRWeb via Yahoo! News) - The Mesothelioma Victims Center was created after a close family member was diagnosed with this rare form of cancer.
9. Aviva, Zurich May Face New Asbestos ‘Spiral’ in U.K. (Update2) (BusinessWeek) - Ernie Terry needed a moment to regain his breath after climbing the stairs at his house in Bisley, south of London.
10. Aviva, Zurich May Face ‘Spiral’ of New Asbestos Claims in U.K. (BusinessWeek) - Ernie Terry needed a moment to regain his breath after climbing the stairs to answer the phone.

Cancer, epithelial cancers, malignant mesothelioma, malignant tumor metastatic carcinomas

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