Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that develops in the mesothelial cells that lines many organs and body cavities. The most common type of mesothelioma occurs in the lining of the lungs (the pleura),but it has also been observed in the stomach lining (peritoneum) and heart lining (pericardium) as well. Approximately 2,000 to 3,000 cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed each year in the United States, comprising around 3 percent of all cancer diagnoses.
Mesothelioma’s only known cause is exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is a naturally-occurring fibrous substance that was extensively used in the twentieth century in a number of different industries. Popular because of its durable, fire resistant, and insulating properties, it was usually used in the manufacturing of several thousand different products, up until the time that asbestos warnings were issued in the mid-1970s.
As with most cancers, mesothelioma is most treatable when it is caught in its early stages. Unfortunately this is a difficult task to accomplish as the symptoms of mesothelioma do not usually start showing until about 25 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos. Because the diagnosis of mesothelioma is usually made when the cancer is in its advanced stages, it is very difficult to treat effectively.
Treatments for mesothelioma include conventional treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, as well as experimental procedures, including immunotherapy and gene therapy.
Generally, a patient with mesothelioma will receive more than one type of conventional treatment. For example, they may undergo surgery to remove the bulk of cancerous tissue, and then receive chemotherapy or radiation therapy to kill any remaining cancer cells. Experimental treatments are typically available only to patients who agree to enter clinical trials. In these cases, patients must fit certain criteria to be eligible.
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