The Meaning of Mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma from the (Greek meso+ thelioma, tumor of middle lining
tissue) is an uncommon cancer, originating from the cells which form the membrane lining
the abdominal cavity (peritoneal membrane or peritoneum) which houses the intestines, or
the chest (pleural membrane or pleura) cavity housing the heart and lungs, in which the
cells making up those tissues begin to grow out of control.

Mesothelioma's most often are seen in older patients, more often men that have a history of
occupational exposure to asbestos, although other causes such as radiation and certain
viruses have occasionally been implicated. In a proportion of cases, no asbestos exposure
can be identified.

Mesotheliomas involving the lung and pleura characteristically present as progressive
shortness of breath due to the thickening of the lining membrane of the lung with gradual
contraction of the breathing space; often, fluid accumulates in the lung spaces as well,
further interfering with breathing, Mesotheliomas involving the abdominal cavity present
with digestive symptoms, and abdominal swelling due to thickening of the lining membranes
of the gut, and accumulation of large amounts of fluid in the abdomen.

Notable person that suffered Mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma, though rare, has had a number of notable patients.

1. Bob Bellear
Australian anti-racism activist died in 2005.

2. Michael G. Coney,
British science fiction writer responsible for nearly 100 works also died in 2005.

3. Paul Gleason
American film and television actor , perhaps best known for his portrayal of Principal Richard Vernon in the 1985 film The Breakfast Club, died in 2006.

4. Mickie Most
An English record producer, died of mesothelioma in 2003.

5. Paul Rudolph.
An American architect known for his cubist building designs, died in 1997.

6. Steve McQueen
Steve McQueen was diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma on December 22, 1979. He was not offered surgery or chemotherapy because doctors felt the cancer was too advanced. McQueen sought alternative treatments from clinics in Mexico. He died of a heart attack on November 7, 1980, in Juárez, Mexico, following cancer surgery. He may have been exposed to asbestos while serving with the US Marines as a young adult—asbestos was then commonly used to insulate ships' piping—or because of its use as an insulating material in car racing suits. It is also reported that he worked in a shipyard during World War II, where he might have been exposed to asbestos.

7. Bruce Vento
United States Congressman died of mesothelioma in 2000. The Bruce Vento Hopebuilder is awarded yearly by his wife at the MARF symposium to persons or organizations who have done the most to support mesothelioma research and advocacy.

8. Warren Zevon
After a long period of untreated illness and pain, rock and roll musician and songwriter Warren Zevon was diagnosed with inoperable mesothelioma in the fall of 2002. Refusing treatments he believed might incapacitate him, Zevon focused his energies on recording his final album The Wind including the song Keep me in your heart which speaks of his failing breath. Zevon died at his home in Los Angeles, California, on September 7, 2003.

9. Stephen Jay Gould
Although life expectancy with this disease is typically limited, there are notable survivors. In July 1982, Stephen Jay Gould was diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma. After his diagnosis, Gould wrote the "The Median Isn't the Message" for Discover magazine, in which he argued that statistics such as median survival are just useful abstractions, not destiny. Gould lived for another twenty years eventually succumbing to metastatic adenocarcinoma of the lung, not mesothelioma.

10. Paul Kraus
Author Paul Kraus was diagnosed with mesothelioma in June 1997 following an umbilical hernia operation. His prognosis was "a few months." He continues to survive using a variety of integrative and complimentary modalities and has written a book about his experience.

What is Mesothelioma Cancer?

Mesothelioma in fact, is one of the rarest types of cancer. They are estimated that only about 2,000 new cases diagnosed each year. So, what exactly is mesothelioma? What body parts does it affect? What causes it?

Mesothelioma is a condition where the mesothelium, which a lining that protects the internal organs of the body, becomes cancerous. Doctors use two terms to describe mesothelioma, localized and advanced. Localized mesothelioma indicates the cancer has not spread beyond the protective lining. Doctors used the term advanced to describe mesothelioma that has spread to the internal organs, lymph nodes or other parts of the body.

Exposure to asbestos is the main cause of mesothelioma. Asbestos is a substance that was once widely used in construction because of its insulating and fire retarding properties. In the late 1980’s and early 1990’s there was a movement to ban some uses of asbestos because of its cancer causing nature.

The amount of asbestos used in construction is now limited, however, some older homes may still have a great deal of asbestos in the form of insulation. Problems usually occur with asbestos when the asbestos fibers are inhaled into the lungs.

This type of cancer can be hard to diagnose because its symptoms was almost same with those of other diseases. The main known symptoms of mesothelioma include pain in the chest wall, shortness of breath, fatigue, anemia, wheezing or cough. The patient may also suffer abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss, and may spit up blood.

A biopsy of affected tissue is required to confirm a diagnosis of mesothelioma. While your doctor is trying to narrow down what is causing your problems, however, he may perform a variety of tests. The tests used to narrow down your condition might include an X-ray of the chest cavity to check for thickening of the mesothelium, which indicates this lining has been damaged by asbestos exposure. He may also order a CAT scan or MRI. A check of the fluid around the lungs, called cytology, for cancerous cells may also be required.

Unfortunately, the prognosis for mesothelioma is not favorable. Because the disease often does not present itself with clear symptoms in the early stages patients are generally not diagnosed until the disease has become advanced.

At this point survival rates are generally less than about five years depending on what type treatment your cancer responds to. Treatments for mesothelioma include surgery to remove cancerous cells and tumors, radiation, immunotherapy and chemotherapy.

For more information on cancer try visiting http://www.cancercondition.com