The cancerous disease mesothelioma can remain undetected and symptomless in a person for decades. Regrettably this means the disease is often diagnosed late, when it has progressed to a more dangerous stage, and treatment can become difficult. The disease is caused by coming into contact with asbestos, which unfortunately was not recognised as a dangerous material until the 1970’s, eventually become banned in 1999. Prevention of the disease is possible through conducting asbestos surveys of work areas and the responsible asbestos management of buildings and other spaces. It is best to call upon reliable asbestos consultants to carry out this task safely.


The early symptoms of mesothelioma are generally non-specific, for example they can sometimes resemble viral pneumonia. Pleural mesothelioma patients may experience shortness of breath, chest pain and/or persistent cough; but some patients show no symptoms at all. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma can include pain or swelling in the abdomen due to a build-up of fluid, the patient may also experience nausea, weight loss, anemia or swelling of the feet.

Clear communication and openness between doctor and patient is vital when treating a disease as serious as mesothelioma. Treatment is determined by what stage of mesothelioma the patient is in, most staging systems take into account the size and location of the primary tumour, the number of tumours, lymph node involvement, cell type and metastasis (if the cancer has spread to another part of the body). Treatment options can include surgery, chemotherapy, and clinical trials as well; new approaches such as photodynamic therapy, immunotherapy, and gene therapy may be offered. Palliative care can be an option depending on the advance of the disease, the patient’s age, and any additional health problems. As this option treats the symptoms but not the disease, it is vital the patient thoroughly discusses the options with their doctor.

Can psychological treatment have a positive effect upon the patient while they are undergoing the treatment of physical symptoms? Studies have suggested that 25% to 50% of cancer patients are suffering from psychological conditions related to their diagnosis.

A recent study conducted by the American Cancer Society examined the potential of social-cognitive therapy in mesothelioma pain management. In the study 265 patients living with mesothelioma, who were experiencing at least moderate pain or pain related to impairment, were randomly assigned to receive either an education/coaching (TEC) program specifically designed for them or receive educationally-enhanced usual care (EUC). TEC is based on social-cognitive therapy, and is comprised of six components– assess, correct, teach, prepare, rehearse and portray. Both programs were provided to the patient for an estimated 30 minutes before they had their oncology visits, as an intervention treatment.

Researchers are determining outcomes related to anxiety, pain severity and impairment, patient-physician communication, self-efficacy for pain control, and well-being. If the outcome proves that pain management plays as big a role as researchers are anticipating, the treatment may be rolled out across the US.

READ MORE - Living with Mesothelioma

Inspite of the modern developments in different spheres of mankind including medical science, there are still some diseases which are incurable and deadly. Mesothelioma is a certain form of cancer which is caused mainly due to exposure to asbestos fibres. It is a typical disease and its characteristics are also different from the other general form of cancer.


Mesothelioma is exceptional but sadistic type of cancer. It occurs mainly in the inner lining of the diaphragm in the chest and abdominal areas of the body. The most dangerous part of the disease is that the latency period is very high, which makes its occurrence unpredictable. Latency is the period from the exposure to the cause and the growth of cancer.

This disease claims the life of thousands of people round the world every year and is still uncontrollable. Mesothelioma affects the mesothelium which is membrane of the heart, abdomen and the lungs. In most cases it is fatal if not identified before the deadly stage. This disease can seriously hamper in the different areas, according to which, it has been classified as pleural mesothelioma surrounding the lung, peritoneal or lung mesothelioma around the stomach and the pericardial mesothelioma on the outer lining of the heart.

The most important horrifying part of the disease is that, it makes its exposure very late and the symptoms are not identifiable initially. By the time the disease is diagnosed it is too late to cure or stop the growth of the syndrome. Blood test often fails to detect it unlike other forms of cancer. However, if Thoracoscopy is timely performed around the chest area the malady can be detected. In this test often tumours and abnormal growths are recognized.

READ MORE - Mesothelioma Is Spreading All Across The Planet

Mesothelioma is a cancer of the mesothelium, the protective sac that covers and protects most internal organs of the body. The mesothelium has two layers, one, which covers the organ, and a second, which forms a sac around it. The mesothelium has different names depending on the location in the body. The pleura is the mesothelial tissue surrounding the lungs and lining the chest cavity.The peritoneum covers most of the organs in the abdominal cavity (where abdominal mesothelioma occurs), while the pericardium covers and protects the heart.


The mesothelium produces a lubricating fluid that allows organs within it to move and glide easily. For example, the fluid allows the lungs to breathe and the heart to expand and contract.

Like other forms of cancer, mesothelioma occurs when cells become abnormal and divide or grow out of control. Inmesothelioma, the helpful lubricating fluid is over-produced.This excess fluid encases the organs with a thick layer of tumor tissue, described as similar to a rind type of mesothelioma, cells metastasize, or grow and invade other organs and spread to other areas of the body.

The majority of individuals suffering from mesothelioma have cancer in the lining of the lung. Sometimes, mesothelioma occurs in the lining of the abdominal cavity peritoneal mesothelioma) or in the lining of the heart (pericardial mesothelioma).

READ MORE - what is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelium Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer in which malignant (cancerous) cells are found in the mesothelium, a protective sac that covers most of the body's internal organs. Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles.

What is the mesothelium? The mesothelium is a membrane that covers and protects most of the internal organs of the body. It is composed of two layers of cells: One layer immediately surrounds the organ; the other forms a sac around it. The mesothelium produces a lubricating fluid that is released between these layers, allowing moving organs (such as the beating heart and the expanding and contracting lungs) to glide easily against adjacent structures. What is mesothelioma?Mesothelioma (cancer of the mesothelium) is a disease in which cells of the mesothelium become abnormal and divide without control or order. They can invade and damage nearby tissues and organs. Cancer cells can also metastasize (spread) from their original site to other parts of the body. Most cases of mesothelioma begin in the pleura or peritoneum How common is mesothelioma? Although reported incidence rates have increased in the past 20 years, mesothelioma is still a relatively rare cancer. About 2,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in the United States each year. Mesothelioma occurs more often in men than in women and risk increases with age, but this disease can appear in either men or women at any age What are the risk factors for mesothelioma? Working with asbestos is the major risk factor for mesothelioma. A history of asbestos exposure at work is reported in about 70 percent to 80 percent of all cases. However, mesothelioma has been reported in some individuals without any known exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is the name of a group of minerals that occur naturally as masses of strong, flexible fibers that can be separated into thin threads and woven. Asbestos has been widely used in many industrial products, including cement, brake linings, roof shingles, flooring products, textiles, and insulation. If tiny asbestos particles float in the air, especially during the manufacturing process, they may be inhaled or swallowed, and can cause serious health problems. In addition to mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos increases the risk of lung cancer, asbestosis (a noncancerous, chronic lung ailment), and other cancers, such as those of the larynx and kidney. Smoking does not appear to increase the risk of mesothelioma. However, the combination of smoking and asbestos exposure significantly increases a person's risk of developing cancer of the air passageways in the lung What are the symptoms of mesothelioma? Symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos. Shortness of breath and pain in the chest due to an accumulation of fluid in the pleura are often symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include weight loss and abdominal pain and swelling due to a buildup of fluid in the abdomen. Other symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma may include bowel obstruction, blood clotting abnormalities, anemia, and fever. If the cancer has spread beyond the mesothelium to other parts of the body, symptoms may include pain, trouble swallowing, or swelling of the neck or face

READ MORE - Mesothelium