Mesothelioma is rare cancer that is highly aggressive type. Every year about two to three thousand people suffer from this cancer. The number of Mesothelioma patients is likely to increase in the next decade Exposure to asbestos is only the known cause of this cancer.
Asbestos - a fibrous mineral that occurs naturally, which was well known for its fire resistance, insulating, and long lasting properties. It was popularly used from 1900-1975. In this period concrete, textiles and insulation industry manufactured different types of products which used asbestos fibers.
The membranes covering the lungs, internal organs and abdominal cavity of the body is attacked by Mesothelioma which is of three types; The Pleural Mesothelioma is common. It occurs when the membrane cells covering the lungs are affected by asbestos fibers. The second type is Peritoneal Mesothelioma. Here membrane covering the abdominal organs is attacked. The rarest asbestos cancer is called Pericardial Mesothelioma, and in this membrane covering the heart or the pericardium is attacked.
Treatment of this cancer is rarely successful. Because of the growth of asbestos cancer at a fast pace that it is not diagnosed until it reaches the final stages and the possibility of patient survival is poor. Treatments include radiation therapy surgery and, chemotherapy.
Asbestos products were manufactured in great volumes by manufacturers who were aware about the risks factors of asbestos fibers. Asbestos is still found in old buildings, and it continues in putting many people at risk of exposure to asbestos. But now thanks to restrictions on it, it may not be to the extent, it was in the past. |
