Constant exposure to asbestos filled atmosphere can lead to a dangerous form of cancer called mesothelioma. It affects the mesothelium, the protective case covering our internal organs. Because of over exposure to asbestos, the fine particles of the substance get into our body through the lungs. These particles are accumulated in mesothelium resulting in cancerous growths. Mostly people who are working in companies dealing with asbestos are its victims. The disease occurs due to the lack of statutory preventive measures that have to be taken by the employers. The worst part of the disease it that the symptoms of mesothelioma appear only many years later, making the treatment process a Herculean task.

It is always better for people who have been exposed to asbestos to consult a specialist as soon as the first symptom appears. There are three types of mesothelioma - the plural, pericardial and peritoneal. Testicular mesothelioma is another category, though found rarely. The success of treatment lies in the early detection of symptoms. There are many symptoms associated with the disease.

Persistent dry non-productive cough, coughing up blood, difficulty in swallowing, weight loss, tiredness, night sweat, fever, continuous pain in the areas around ribs or chest, pain while breathing, shortness of breath and developing lumps under the skin around the chest are the significant symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. Many deaths occur due to this type of cancer and it is the most malicious among all the four types of asbestos cancer.

Peritoneal mesothelioma has its own symptoms like constipation or diarrhea, tiredness, anemia, reduction in weight, night sweats, fever, pain or swelling in abdominal region, vomiting and development of lumps under the skin in the abdominal area.

Pericardial mesothelioma accounts for fewer deaths compared to other types of mesothelioma cancer. It is responsible for less than five percent of the total incidents of cancer. But it is more life threatening and as such dangerous. The chances of survival are very less once affected with this type of cancer. The primary symptoms are irregular heartbeats, breathing difficulty, fever, tiredness, night sweats, chest pain etc. The symptoms of mesothelioma here are not so developed unlike the other types. Formation of testicular lumps is the main symptom of testicular mesothelioma. This is a fourth type of mesothelioma cancer, though not found commonly.