symptoms of mesothelioma?

Asbestos is the name of a group of minerals that occur naturally as masses of strong, flexible fibers that can be separated into thin threads and woven.About 2,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in the United States each year.Working with asbestos is the major risk factor for mesothelioma.Mesothelioma (cancer of the mesothelium) is a disease in which cells of the mesothelium become abnormal and divide without control or order.Smoking does not appear to increase the risk of mesothelioma.However, the combination of smoking and asbestos exposure significantly increases a person's risk of developing cancer of the air passageways in the lung.If tiny asbestos particles float in the air, especially during the manufacturing process, they may be inhaled or swallowed, and can cause serious health problems.

Cancer cells can also metastasize (spread) from their original site to other parts of the body.Most cases of mesothelioma begin in the pleura or peritoneum.In addition to mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos increases the risk of lung cancer, asbestosis (a noncancerous, chronic lung ailment), and other cancers, such as those of the larynx and kidney.A history of asbestos exposure at work is reported in about 70 percent to 80 percent of all cases.Mesothelioma occurs more often in men than in women and risk increases with age, but this disease can appear in either men or women at any age.They can invade and damage nearby tissues and organs.

Asbestos has been widely used in many industrial products, including cement, brake linings, roof shingles, flooring products, textiles, and insulation.However, mesothelioma has been reported in some individuals without any known exposure to asbestos.Although reported incidence rates have increased in the past 20 years, mesothelioma is still a relatively rare cancer.