Mesothelioma stands high among the most threatening diseases which affect mankind in the present world. Inhaling asbestos fibers for a long time is the cause behind mesothelioma disease. In most cases the patients die within two years of diagnosis. The peculiarity of the disease is that it takes many decades to develop and show its first symptoms. This very fact proves to be a hindrance in timely detection and proper treatment.

Asbestos, which is a naturally occurring mineral, is widely used in industries for many purposes. Once inhaled the fibers settle in the mesothelium, which is a protective membrane that covers the important internal organs. This makes the cells to divide unnaturally resulting in the production of excess fluid. The side walls get thickened due to this extra fluid as a result of which the proper functioning of the organs is hampered.

Mesothelioma disease is categorized into three based on the areas of our body where they occur. The lung cavities are affected by the pleural mesothelioma, whereas the abdominal cavities are infected by the peritoneal type. The most malicious form, the pericardial, affects the cavities of the heart.

At the present time, there is no complete cure for mesothelioma disease. But life span can be increased a little further with traditional therapies like surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. The late diagnosis due to the delayed appearance of symptoms greatly influences the treatment procedure from being cent percent effective. In most of the cases the symptoms appear as the cancer reaches the final stages. If the diagnosis happens early, by any means there is possibility that the disease can be removed and the patient enjoys a healthy long life.

It is therefore very important that everyone, who had worked in asbestos-based factories, asbestos pits and family members of such employees to undergo periodical checkups. The usual symptoms are breathing problems and related illnesses like cough, fever etc. Being a rarity, all cancer centers are not manned or equipped to diagnose and cure mesothelioma disease. The patient should approach only those physicians who exclusively deal with the disease, which would greatly help in timely and accurate diagnose, which would be followed by aggressive treatment to root out the cancer.