The Mesothelioma Risk
A quick guide written for those who have heard of Mesothelioma but don't know what it is exactly.

Malignant Mesothelioma

Malignant mesothelioma is a type of rare cancer that may develop years after exposure to asbestos ( Asbestos being a mineral used in insulation), because of this asbestos is no longer used in Australia and other western countries.

Mesothelioma (usually) develops in one lung and causes the body to create more lubricating fluid than is necessary to use between the membranes of the lungs and chest; this causes the lungs not to be able to expand to their full capacity.

Because the lungs cannot expand symptoms from mesothelioma include breathlessness and dry coughs.

Mesothelioma – Peritoneum

A small number of mesothelioma sufferers go one step further and develop peritoneum mesothelioma. The peritoneum is the membrane that covers the abdominal and the pelvic cavities.
This occurs when asbestos fibres absorb through the stomach walls and end up in the peritoneum.

Pericardial mesothelioma

This is when mesothelioma affects the membrane lining of the heart.

Mesothelioma Treatment

Depending on the type of mesothelioma, the stage of disease and the person’s preference, treatment options can include:

	Pleurectomy – Surgery to remove the affected tissue, this may result in the removal of part of the lung. In can require the removal of the whole lung.
	Phototherapy – Cancer cells are destroyed by a laser.
	Pleurodesis – A chemical is inserted between the membrane layers to stop the creation of excess fluids.
	Chemotherapy
	Radiotherapy – An x-ray is used to kill cancer cells.
	Heated Intraoperative Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy - The direct insertion of selected drugs into the affected area and then heated; this is then drained after several hours. The heating of the drugs helps the tissues to absorb the drugs.

What to do if you have Mesothelioma?

Get yourself a lawyer or attorney; in nearly all cases the disease has been introduced via working conditions. Mesothelioma was first linked to asbestos in 1898 and the first court case was in 1929.

Lawyers and attorneys will not be able to cure cancer but they will be able to get compensation in order to ease your suffering and look after your loved ones.