Mesothelioma is a very deadly cancer that affects the mesothelium, which is the protective lining or sac that covers the most important organs of the body like liver, abdomen and heart. The main cause of mesothelioma is due to the exposure of the persons to asbestos and its fibers. Hence this disease is mostly seen among people who have worked in asbestos factories or who have lived close by the asbestos factories or in some cases, the family members of the people who have worked in the asbestos factories. Inhalation or ingestion of these asbestos dust and fibers will result in blocking of the cells which in turn will become malignant. But symptoms for mesothelioma will be visible only after a minimum of 30 years and by that time the mesothelioma would have spread like fire all over the body.

There are three main types of mesothelioma that occur in a human body. They are pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma and pericardial mesothelioma. Depending upon the part of the body in which the cancer occurs, these types of mesothelioma are named.

Pleural mesothelioma: It is a malignant cancer that affects the lining or the protective membrane of the lungs. It is believed to be caused by the ingestion of asbestos dust and fibers. About 80% of the persons affected by mesothelioma are found to be suffering from pleural mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma can be either non cancerous or cancerous. It is diagnosed when there is a build up of fluid inside the pleural space. This is called pleural effusion. The common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include persistent cough, breathing problems, sudden weight loss, fever and muscle wasting.

Peritoneal mesothelioma: Another common type of mesothelioma is the peritoneal mesothelioma. It affects the lining of the peritoneum or the membrane of the abdominal cavity. The asbestos fibers or the products of asbestos are the main cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. These fibers are trapped in the mucous lining the trachea and are swallowed inside which eventually pass through the intestinal walls and finally land on the peritoneal space. The common symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include abdominal pain and swelling, sudden weight loss, abnormalities of blood clotting, fever, anemia and disturbances in bowel movements.

Pericardial mesothelioma: It is a type of malignant cancer that is rarely seen and accounts for only 5% of all the people suffering from mesothelioma symptoms. The asbestos fiber that enters the body affects the lining that covers the heart. This is a very dangerous type of malignant cancer and if not treated in the early stages will be fatal. This occurs mostly in males and is treated by performing a surgical excision or removing of the pericardium. Some of the symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma are: chest pain, difficulty in breathing, non-stop coughing, irregular beating of the heart and building up of fluid around the heart.

Since the mesothelioma occurs in a person very long before he has realized or has been diagnosed, it will be very difficult for the person to recover from this bout of illness. So if you have been affected by or involved with asbestos and its products in any way for longer periods, it is advisable to consult a doctor and take the necessary steps to check whether you are affected by mesothelioma or not.