Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops from the thin layer of tissue that covers many of the internal organs (known as the mesothelium). The most common area affected is the lining of the lungs and chest wall. Less commonly the lining of the abdomen and rarely the sac surrounding the heart, or the sac surrounding the testis may be affected.
Signs and symptoms of mesothelioma may include:
a) shortness of breath due to fluid around the lung,
b) a swollen abdomen,
c) chest wall pain,
d) cough,
e) feeling tired, and
f) weight loss.
These symptoms typically come on slowly.It is caused by ASBESTOS and takes 20-40 years to develop after exposure.
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| Asbestos Fiber on Mesothelioma Cell |
5 Quick Mesothelioma Facts
Latency Period: Usually takes 20-40 years to develop.
Cause: Asbestos is the only cause of mesothelioma.
Patients: 3,000 new cases each year, 80% are men.
Patient Age: Pleural: Average is 69 Peritoneal: Median is 51
Life Expectancy: Over 40% of patients survive 12+ months due to improving treatments.