Sunday, September 27, 2009

A Guide to Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer almost always associated with a previous history of asbestos exposure. Malignant cells are found in the connective tissues lining the chest (pleural mesothelioma), abdominal cavity (peritoneal mesothelioma), and the heart (pericardial mesothelioma).

Exposure:
Almost all cases of mesothelioma can be traced to asbestos exposure. When asbestos fibers are inhaled, they can become trapped in the lungs and that can lead to scarring. Over time this can lead to mesothelioma with a latency period of 20 - 40 years for the disease to show up. It is important to understand that asbestos fibers are found in air samples around the world and that low level exposure is unlikely to lead to cancer.

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