Mesothelioma is a diease that has played a large role in the medical court room. Mesothelimoa is a cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos. The cancer is developed in the mesothelium, which is the cellular lining of most organs, inluding the lungs. It is most commonly developed in the pleura which is the outter lining of the lungs.

Mesothelioma can cause the following symptoms-

    * Chest wall pain
    * Pleural effusion, or fluid surrounding the lung
    * Shortness of breath
    * Fatigue or anemia
    * Wheezing, hoarseness, or cough
    * Blood in the sputum (fluid) coughed up (hemoptysis)

The most helpful treatment has been proven to be chemotherapy. It is basically a poision that shrinks the size of tumors.

It can be treated with different types of radiation including chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. Chemo is the only treatment that has shown any benifits at all during trials. It is basically a poision that is used to shrink and possibly eliminate turmors.

The reason that this disease is so heavily discussed is due to its primary causes. It is mostly developed by workers or employees who have inhaled asbestos particles, which are very hazardous. It has even been stated that simply washing clothes with people who have asbestos on their person can spread the particles. Unlike regular lung cancer, there is no found link between mesothelioma and smoking. The symptoms of mesotelioma include shortness of breath and pleural effusion, which is a fluid build up in the lungs. Also despite many advancements in cancer treatment such as chemotherapy or possibly surgery, mesothelimoa carries a poor prognosis.

The reason the disease is so famous is its appearance in the court rooms. Due to causes of the disease many employers can be liable if a poor work environment is the cause of mesothelioma outbreak. If the employer overlooked asbestos warnings or other preventative measures they are certainly liable. Mesothelioma, if located in a bad area of the body, can cause severe pain, and carries a poor prognosis. If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with this cancer you are probably entitled to compensation. In recent days, and due to the number of claims, somewhat strict guidelines have been issued to people who claim asbestos problems.