Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the mesothelium, which is a lining that surrounds the heart, lung, and abdominal cavity. The major cause of malignant mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos, and in particular the blue ‘ crocidolite ' and brown ‘ amosite ' types of asbestos. The asbestos particles, once they have been breathed in, act like tiny needles that work their way into the lung tissue and out into the outer layer surrounding the lungs, the mesothelium. Although how it happens it not presently understood by medical researchers, the presence of asbestos in this area causes cells to mutate, and the cancer to form. Changes to the immune system due to the presence of the asbestos particles may play a role in the formation of the cancer, but more research is needed to fully understand its cause.
The mesothelioma latency period is quite long before mesothelioma symptoms become apparent. What this has meant in the past is that once the cancer is discovered, it is often in latter stages of development, making it harder to treat the cancer. Surgery, mesothelioma chemotherapy and radiation treatments were given to help relieve pain, but recovery levels were not high.
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