Mesothelioma - An Overview of Asbestos-Related Cancer

Several decades ago, a fibrous mineral known as asbestos was widely used in many industries for the manufacture of many products. A naturally-occurring mineral, asbestos was highly valued for its tensile strength; resistance to heat and chemical damage; and its low electrical conductivity.

Because of its inherent properties, asbestos became a very common component of heat and electrical insulation, especially in the construction, shipbuilding, and metalworking industries. Before long, asbestos could be found in drywall, ceiling insulation, brake pads, plumbing gaskets, ship’s boilers, and more.

Yet all was not well.

Even in the early 1990’s, scientists and doctors had noticed troubling health problems among shipbuilders, construction workers, miners, and other professionals frequently exposed to asbestos. By the mid- to late-1990’s,it was obvious that asbestos was dangerous.

Today, we know that exposure to asbestos fibers and dust has the potential to cause a deadly cancer called mesothelioma.

What is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a cancer which attacks the lining of the lungs, chest cavity, and other internal organs. When a person breathes in asbestos fibers, the fibers become trapped in and irritate this delicate lining, known as the mesothelium. Over time, the cells of the mesothelium become scarred, inflamed, and eventually – cancerous.

The most common form of mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma, which attacks the mesothelial lining of the lungs. Other types of the cancer include peritoneal mesothelioma, which affects the lining of the abdominal cavity, and pericardial mesothelioma, which attacks the lining of heart. Of these three, pericardial mesothelioma is the rarest, occurring in less than 1% of all cases.

Symptoms and Prognosis

Mesothelioma often takes decades to develop. A construction worker who has been exposed to inordinate amounts of asbestos may not experience any serious symptoms of mesothelioma for 15, 30, or even 50 years. Even when symptoms do appear, they are frequently nonspecific, including:

• Chest pain
• Difficulty breathing
• Persistent cough
• Shortness of breath
• Difficulty swallowing
• Fever

Unfortunately, the vagueness of mesothelioma symptoms makes the disease notoriously difficult to catch in its early stages. By the time a mesothelioma victim receives a diagnosis, the cancer is likely to be in an advanced stage. As a result, the prognosis for the cancer is often extremely poor. According to some studies, the five year survival rate among mesothelioma victims may be less than 30%, depending on the particular form of cancer the patient has.