The incidence of mesothelioma:

Mesothelioma is a relatively rare cancer, although there is an increase incidence of mesothelioma in the last 20 years, but still a rare disease. Approximately 2,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed every year in the United States. Mesothelioma occurs more commonly in men than in women. The risk of mesothelioma increases with age, but this disease can appear in either at any age, as well as 30-40 years of exposure to risk factors.

The only major risk factor of development of Mesothelioma cancer is the exposure to asbestos, which may be chronic occupational exposure or accidental chronic exposure (e.g. living in houses made of asbestos roof shingles). Since 19th century asbestos is mined and used commercially till date. The use of asbestos was greater during II World War. The use of asbestos was much more before discovery of asbestos as the only major cause of mesothelioma.

Symptoms and Signs of Mesothelioma can vary according to the location of mesothelioma like mesothelioma of pleura (Pleural mesothelioma) can cause shortness of breath, cough, and pain in the chest due to an accumulation of fluid in the pleural space (known as pleural effusion). Pleural mesothelioma can also cause weight loss, cachexia (extreme weight loss seen in cancer patients) pain in the chest wall, fatigue, wheezing, hoarseness, hemoptysis (blood in the sputum). In severe cases of Pleural mesothelioma there may be collapse of lungs, pneumo-thorax etc.

Mesothelioma is a primary malignant (cancerous) tumor of mesothelial cells and the commonest site of mesothelioma is the lungs or pleura. But sometimes mesothelioma may also occur though rarely in peritoneum (it is the lining of abdominal cavity), pericardium (outer covering of the heart) or tunica vaginalis. Mesothelial cells line pleural cavity of the lungs, so it is common in the lungs. Pleura is the covering of the lungs. Mesothelial cells also line other body’s internal organs (but mesothelioma occurs rarely).