Mesothelioma is a type of cancer which is caused by inhaling dust particles from asbestos particles. This form of cancer is developed inside tissues of cells that line up the lungs, heart and stomach of mesothelioma patient. These tissues are called mesothelial cells. Once these cells are infected by asbestos, they dry up the fluids surrounding these important organs of the body and then tumors develop inside the body. The most common form of mesothelioma is called pleural mesothelioma. This type of mesothelioma is found in around 75% of mesothelioma patients. Other forms of mesothelioma are peritorial and pericardial mesothelioma but these are less common. Mesothelioma is caused due to exposure to asbestos.

The mesothelioma patient inhales asbestos either during their jobs specially shipyard or mining jobs or even inside their households. This disease can also be caused by living with some already having this disease or due to family history. Smoking has also been found to be one of the reason for this disease. Mesothelioma cannot be detected immediately after inhaling asbestos. It may take as long as 30 years before this disease can be completely detected in a mesothelioma patient. This is because the mesothelioma takes a long time to incubate inside the human body. By the time the symptoms start to show up in a mesothelioma patient, the damage has already been done by this disease. What are the symptoms of mesothelioma? As mentioned before, the symptoms start showing up in a mesothelioma patient after various years of actual exposure. Therefore, it is very difficult or almost impossible to detect this disease in its initial stages.

After that, the comprehensive physical examination is done of the patient. The X-rays, CT scans and MRI are done. Cytology may be performed depending upon the location and amount of fluids. The biopsies are done to confirm the diagnosis. A Laparoscopy will be done if the lower abdomen or trunk cavity is in question. If the cancer is in the lungs, then thoracoscopy is done to get tissue samples or for biopsy. How can a mesothelioma patient be treated? The treatment of a mesothelioma patient depends upon various factors like stage of cancer, location of tumor, age and health of the mesothelioma patient. The various types of treatments available today are: Surgery: – In this treatment, the malignant mesothelioma is removed from the body surgically.