Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer of the lining of the lungs (pleural mesothelioma) or the lining of the abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma). The only known cause of mesothelioma in the United States is exposure to asbestos. Mesothelioma has a long latency period between first exposure to asbestos and diagnosis of the disease. In rare cases the latency period is shorter than 10 to 15 years after the first exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma, but usually occurs between 20 and 40 years or more after the first exposure of an individual.

Mesothelioma diagnosis is often difficult because the symptoms are similar to those of a number of other cases of mesothelioma conditions.Benign not a tumor of the pleura (lining of the lungs and chest cavity). Men are more likely then women to be affected by cancer caused by localized malignant mesothelioma. The tumor may reach large size and compressing the lungs, causing the following symptoms: chronic cough, wheezing, chest pain, weight loss and cachexia, abdominal swelling and pain due to ascites (accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity).

Other symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma in May including anemia, abnormal blood clotting, fever and bowel obstruction. Symptoms such as difficulty swallowing, pain or swelling in the neck and face may indicate that the cancer has spread beyond mesothelioma in other parts of the body. These symptoms may be caused by mesothelioma or by other, less serious conditions.Approximately half of mesothelioma patients are asymptomatic (have no symptoms of the disease). During a physical examination, a health care provider in May notice a clubbed appearance of the fingers in a patient, which is an indication of exposure / health professionals disease.

The May perform tests to detect mesothelioma. These tests include a chest radiograph, computed tomography of the chest and / or open-lung biopsy.There and is universally accepted protocol for screening people who have been exposed to asbestos. However, research indicates that levels of serum osteopontin may be useful in screening for people exposed to asbestos for mesothelioma. Il livello di mesothelin solubili proteine correlate è elevato nel siero di circa il 75% dei pazienti al momento della diagnosi, ed è stato suggerito che la valutazione di mesothelin solubile relativi livelli di proteina può essere utile per screening.

Surgery di solito è generale necessarie per a solitary tumor (if found), but according, Mesothelioma treatment, to current statistics, then the operation should be good with prompt treatment. One of the most common complications in cases of pleural effusion (fluid escaping into the membranes surrounding the lungs), which can be very serious.People involved in work on the construction or other occupations may involve exposure to asbestos are those generally develop mesothelioma. It is also possible for those who are exposed to asbestos dust and fibers in a more indirect, such as washing clothes of someone who worked with asbestos are at risk of contact with the disease.