First you should understand that mesothelioma is a rare form of cancerous disease that affects the lungs lining, but it can also evolve in other internal organs, such as the heart or abdomen. 3% of the people who are diagnosed with cancer throughout USA are found to suffer from mesothelioma each year with men being more affected and a larger number than women.
Regardless of the form that mesothelioma takes, it is considered a lethal condition, except for the very lucky cases of benign mesothelioma. After being diagnosed with mesothelioma, the life expectancy is between 12 to 16 months. This prognosis is based mostly on the stage of the cancer related as well to the general health status of the patient.
The mesothelioma condition is connected exclusively to the exposure to asbestos. When asbestos fibers are inhaled or ingested due to the handling of it or being in its proximity, they get lodged in the organ's membrane, in this case in lung's mesothelium, that is the lining that protects and surrounds the lungs. In this way an inflammation results that later leads to the mesothelioma developing.
Asbestos is a mineral that for 100 years has been used in construction industry. It has found its way into the building of many houses as well as public buildings. After people learned (in the 70s) about the danger that this mineral creates to human health, the use of this mineral has seen a significant decline.
But meanwhile the results of handling this mineral years ago can be seen into the 5 existing types of mesothelioma:
- Benign mesothelioma - it is known a variant of the disease that is non-cancerous.
- Peritoneal mesothelioma - 20% of the cases are known to be of this form that affects the abdominal region.
- Pleural mesothelioma - 75% of the cases present in this form that affects the lungs.
- Pericardial mesothelioma - 5% accounts for this form of mesothelioma that is developed in the heart area, its name coming from pericardium, the thin protective lining of the heart.
- Testicular mesothelioma - it is indeed a very rarely met form of mesothelioma.
The symptoms that mesothelioma comes with do not indicate the presence of a lethal disease but often resemble ordinary flu or indigestion type of symptoms.
They are: shortness of breath, loss of appetite, difficulty in breathing, abdominal swelling, abdominal pain, fever, nausea, chest pain, and so on. Due to the fact that these symptoms won't come to the surface for many years, the diagnose of this lethal condition can often only be made when it is unfortunately too late.
I have set up a website specifically for those people who do not know where to start when they find out that they, or someone close to them has contracted mesothelioma. The site has all the information you need to file your case; lawyers, experts, articles by experts, but most importantly, a number of videos by an expert in the field, who will guide you through the process. You will never feel alone using this website resource. I hope that it gives some comfort to those affected. You can go directly to the site here: http://www.mesotheliomaalternatives.com.
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