What is mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a uncommon form of sarcoma (malignancy) that most regularly arises from the cells inside layer the sacs of the upper body (the pleura) or the stomach (the peritoneum). Pleural Mesothelioma is the most ordinary form, often present with symptoms in the chest area. Peritoneal Mesothelioma is much less common. This can affect the organs in the abdomen, and its symptoms are related to this area of the body, that is, abdominal inflammation, nausea, vomiting, and bowel impediment. The rarest form of Mesothelioma is pericardial mesothelioma, which involves the sac adjacent the heart.
The association between lung cancer and asbestos exposure is now well established. Although in most studies, all histologic types of cancer are seen, there appears to be a preponderance of adenocarcinoma. Lung cancer in asbestos-exposed workers is thought to occur at a slightly younger age than other lung cancers, and these cancers are more commonly located in the lower lobes of the lungs. There is what is called a "Synergistic effect" between cigarette smoking and asbestos exposure, thus the risk of getting lung cancer rises to extraordinarily high levels if the exposed person is also a smoker. If you have been exposed to asbestos, you should stop smoking. This may be the most important action you can take to improve your health and decrease your risk of lung cancer.
In attendance are two major cell types of mesothelioma, epithelial and sarcomata. Sometimes both of these cell types can be present. The sarcomatoid kind is rarer and occurs in only about 15% of cases; it portends a poorer prognosis. In very rare cases, Mesothelioma can originate from kind, non-malignant cells. This so-called benevolent Mesothelioma can be cure surgically.