Misconceptions About Mesothelioma Cancer

There are many misconceptions about mesothelioma cancer. Many classified malignant mesothelioma as a lung cancer. The fact is mesothelioma is a not a lung cancer. Mesothelioma usually originates in the pleural lining of the lung. Mesothelioma may cause similar respiratory symptoms as lung carcer. But it is not actually lung cancers.

It is not true that only those who worked with asbestos can develop mesothelioma cancer. The fact is majority of mesothelioma patients are those who have asbestos exposure in their line of work. There have been reported cases of workers who handled asbestos regularly, where their spouses and childen do suffered from mesothelioma as well. It is because these workers contaminated asbestos dust or fibers on their work clothes, hair or work gear and they brought them home.

People believe it is safe to be exposed to small amount of asbestos fibers. Please be informed that no matter how small the amount of asbestos exposure, it is still hazardous to your health. In fact just a few asbestos fibers lodged in the pleural lining of the lung is enough to cause you to have mesothelioma cancer and other asbestos related disease.

It is not true that only smokers can be affected by mesothelioma. Smoking does not cause mesotheliom. The simple fact of the matter is that anyone who is exposed to asbestos for a period of time could be the next mesothelioma victims. While smoking definitely exacerbates the possibility of contracting mesothelioma cancer.

You are helpless and there is no form of assistance available for families of mesothelioma victims. No, that's not true. There are many different forms of assistance available for families of mesothelioma patients, which includes financial compensation from the employer of ones workplace. Most mesothelioma cancer victims are affected because of negligent occupational conditions. This is where you need to hire mesothelioma attorney to file for financial settlements. Then there are social and medical consultations available in many cancer centers.

Types of Mesothelioma Cancer

Mesothelioma is a deadly form of cancer that affects the serous membranes surrounding the major organs of the body i.e. the lungs, heart and the abdominal organs, causing these vital organs to inflate with excessive fluid. This fluid further causes the improper functioning of the organs. The only known cause of this cancerous tumor is asbestos exposure. In this disease, malignant cells are built up in the protective linings (serous membranes) of several internal organs known as mesothelium. Different organs in the abdomen cavity can get affected by mesothelioma because of the presence of the protective linings surrounding them. The most common types of mesothelioma include:

* Pleural Mesothelioma,
* Peritoneal Mesothelioma, and
* Pericardial Mesothelioma.

Pleural Mesothelioma:
Pleural Mesothelioma is a tumor in which the lining of the lungs, or lung pleura, gets affected by malignant cells. The pleura is a soft protective tissue that surrounds the lungs in the chest cavity. It helps the lungs in breathing (respiration) by producing a serous fluid that lubricates the pleural surfaces to avoid the teasing of the lungs against the chest wall. The malignant cells, once entered the pleura, begin to spread and affect the surrounding organs and tissues. This leads to further complications resulting pain and severe symptoms.
Mesothelioma affecting pleura is of two categories:

Diffused or Malignant (Cancerous):
It is the serious form of pleural mesothelioma that affects the pleural lining of the lungs and its surrounding organs.
Localized and Benign (Non-cancerous):
It is the non-cancerous form of mesothelioma, which does not affect all parts of the body except the pleura. However, it constricts the lung causing shortness of breath, and in some severe cases, pneumothorax (lung failure).

Peritoneal Mesothelioma:
Peritoneal Mesothelioma is a tumor of the peritoneum membrane or the abdomen lining, affecting many organs in the abdominal cavity including stomach. This form of mesothelioma cancer is less common than the pleural form but is more aggressive, resulting severe symptoms and short life expectancy. Like many other cancers, peritoneal mesothelioma can also be either malignant or benign.

Pericardial Mesothelioma:
Pericardial or Pericardium Mesothelioma is the rarest form of cancer, counting less than 10% of mesothelioma cases. In this form of cancer, fluid gets accumulated in the sac that encloses the heart. The main cause of this disease is the inhalation of asbestos fibers.

Due to the rarity of this disease, doctors and researchers have not clearly understood how the asbestos fibers enter the heart lining or pericardium. The only logical explanation so far about this form of cancer is the possibility of the asbestos fibers, converted into tiny pieces, transported from the lung into the heart by means of blood circulation. Once the asbestos fibers enter the heart, they expand the tissues in the chest cavity and the pericardium with excessive liquid, disrupting the working of the heart and causing chest pains with breathing disorders.

Each year, approximately 2,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed. At some point of their lives, the patients of mesothelioma have been exposed to asbestos that later cause the hideous cancer of mesothelioma. If you, at some point of your life, have worked in an asbestos-rich environment or used any asbestos materials, you should contact a mesothelioma doctor for correct diagnosis and best treatment options available.