Mesothelioma Causes

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer is usually caused by exposure to Asbestos (Asbestos is made up of bundles of fibers). These beams, in turn, are composed of extremely thin and long fibers easily separable from each other with a tendency to produce very small particles of dust floating in the air and cling to clothes. The fibers are easily inhaled or swallowed, causing cancer.

According to Wikipedia, Mesothelioma is a cancer caused by asbestos exposure. In this disease, malignant cells develop in mesotelium, a protective lining that covers most internal organs of the body. Its most common site is the pleura (outer lining of the lungs and chest cavity), but can also occur in the peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity) or the pericardium (a sac that surrounds the heart).

Most people who develop mesothelioma-cancer-were exposed often in situations of work - with plenty of places where they have inhaled particles particles and asbestos dust. There are even cases of contamination by washing clothes of a family member who worked with asbestos.
Unlike lung cancer, there is no association between smoking and mesothelioma.

Asbestos is a mineral fiber that is present in the production of various products mentioned above. Half of the roofs in asbestos cement our country is because they are a cheap and practical.
The latent period between exposure to asbestos and the onset of symptoms can range from 20 to 40 years. Therefore, in many countries, asbestos is prohibited.

In general, the average age of onset of symptoms and diagnosis is around 60 years. It is a type of tumor that can spread quickly and invade the pericardium (sac surrounding the heart), mediastinum and pleura contralateral.

Symptoms of mesothelioma include shortness of breath due to pleural effusion (fluid between the lung and the chest wall) or chest wall. Pain and general symptoms such as cough and weight loss. The diagnosis can be made with chest X-rays and a CT scan, and confirmed with a biopsy (tissue sample) and microscopic examination. A thoracoscopy (inserting a tube with a camera into the chest) can be used to take biopsies. It allows the introduction of substances such as talc to obliterate the pleural space (called pleurodesis), which prevents more fluid from accumulating and pressing on the lung.

 Despite treatment with chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgery, sometimes the disease-cancer-carries a poor prognosis. Searches for early detection of mesothelioma are still ongoing.