Welcome to Mesothelioma Help.

Welcome to Mesothelioma Help. Our goal is to help you find information on mesothelioma in a timely manner. First, we will explain the basics of mesothelioma and how it is invariably linked to asbestos exposure.

Introduction: Mesothelioma & Asbestos Exposure

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer of the cells that line the lungs, heart, and other major organs of the body. This membranous lining is called the mesothelium. The lining of mesothelium over the organs in the abdominal cavity is called the peritoneum, the lining of the lungs is called the pleura, and the lining of the heart is called the pericardium. When mesothelioma develops, it begins in one of the three different areas: the peritoneum, pleura, or pericardium.

Mesothelioma cancer is a disease in which the cells of the lining become abnormal and begin to divide at a rapid pace and without control. This can cause damage not only to the mesothelium itself, but to any surrounding organ or structure. When mesothelioma begins to spread, or metastasize, it can move to other parts of the body. In most cases, mesothelioma begins in the pleura or the peritoneum.

In many patients with mesothelioma, the disease began as a result of exposure to asbestos, which is a group of naturally occurring minerals. Asbestos was used in manufacturing and building processes from the 1940s to the 1960s. People who worked in these industries, or people who have been exposed to asbestos in their homes or in the buildings where they worked, are most at risk for developing mesothelioma. The time between exposure to asbestos and development of the disease is anywhere from 15 to 40 years. This explains why the rate of mesothelioma cases reported is increasing, and is projected to increase even more over the next few decades.

The estimated time of exposure to asbestos that could result in mesothelioma is between 2 to 3 months, so people who have had limited exposure are at little to no risk. Damage the protective linings of the organs occurs because the tough, microscopic fibers of asbestos can infiltrate and injure the tissues. If asbestos is inhaled, it can work its way into the lungs, damaging the pleura. If swallowed, it can force its way into the linings of the abdominal organs, causing mesothelioma of the peritoneum.

Right now, about 2000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in the United States alone every year. While this form of cancer is still considered rare, due to the heavy and prolonged exposure to asbestos from the 1940s to the 1970s, incidences of mesothelioma are expected to rise throughout the next 20-30 years. The average age of those who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma is between 50 and 70 years. Asbestos use was banned in 1986, so the longevity of new cases arising is not expected to increase after the year 2020.

Because mesothelioma is a newly publicized disease, many doctors may have a hard time diagnosing and treating it. Depending on the stage of the disease, the most common treatments are surgical removal of the affected tissues, chemotherapy, or radiation. There is some concern that research into mesothelioma will be minimal, because it is projected to be a short-lived disease in terms of new cases after the next 30 years. However, new research is consistently providing physicians with alternate forms of therapy, and there are many intense studies into control and cure of the disease, so those diagnosed with mesothelioma do have many options and a lot of hope.