Mesothelium

• The mesothelium is a membrane that covers most of the body’s internal organs, according to Cancer.gov. Composed of two layers, the mesothelium releases a lubricating substance that allows moving organs (heart, lungs) to move smoothly in the body. The mesothelial tissue has different names throughout the body. The peritoneum is mesothelial tissue in the abdomen, and the pleura is mesothelial tissue lining the lungs.
  
  

Asbestos

• Exposure to asbestos is the leading risk factor for developing mesothelioma, according to Cancer.gov. Asbestos exposure is reported in up to 80 percent of cases, according to the site. Asbestos was once used regularly in industrial products, including textiles, cement and roof shingles. The mineral’s fibers travel in the air, and have been linked to lung and liver cancers, as well as mesothelioma.
  
  

Symptoms

• Symptoms of mesothelioma may take as long as 50 years to appear after asbestos exposure, according to Cancer.gov. Pain in the chest and shortness of breath may indicate that the disease has started near the lungs, while swelling of the abdomen, weight loss, and abdominal pain may be signs of the disease in the peritoneum. Other symptoms include blood clotting abnormalities, bowel obstruction and fever. More symptoms are possible if the disease has spread beyond the mesothelium.
  
  

Diagnosis

• Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose, as symptoms of the disease are linked to many other ailments, according to Cancer.gov. Doctors will first ask for the patient’s medical history, with emphasis on any asbestos exposure in the past. Performing a full physical exam is normal during diagnosing, and often includes, X-rays, a CAT scan and an MRI. Minor surgery to remove tissue for examination (called a biopsy) will likely be the doctor’s last step in determining whether or not mesothelioma is present.
  
  

Treatment

• Methods used for treating mesothelioma will depend on location of the disease, the patient’s health and the stage of the disease, according to Cancer.gov. Surgery may be performed, during which doctors will remove diseased tissue in hopes that removal will act as a cure. Radiotherapy, or the use of high-power radiation to kill cancer cells, is another common treatment for the disease. Intravenously pumping anti-cancer drugs throughout the body (chemotherapy) may be utilized, as well.