Lung mesothelioma is a mortal type of cancer resulting from the pleural mesothelium, which is the protective lining of the lungs, getting infected by asbestos fibers. The cancer is rare and affects people who had the misfortune to be in constant contact with asbestos at either their workplaces or homes. In medical terms, the disease is described as a rare cancerous development affecting the mesothelial tissues that surrounds and protects our vital organs. Three different types of this cancer have been identified and are named as the pleural, peritoneal and pericardial mesothelioma according to the area of our body they inhabit.

Mesothelium is a protective membrane found around vital organs like abdomen, lungs and heart. It helps in proper functioning of the organs too, albeit indirectly. Asbestos particles, after entering this lining, cause abnormal cell function, causing cancerous growths. In most incidents, it takes decades for the disease to show up and this prolonged latency is a limiting and disruptive factor affecting diagnosis and treatment.

Lung cancer and lung mesothelioma are two entirely different types of cancers. The former attacks the inside of the lung while the latter its protective lining. The prognosis of the disease is very poor and most patients die within 24 months after diagnosis. As in the case of any other cancer, this kind is also classified into four depending on its severity. Timely detection has saved many patients, but it never materializes in most cases because the disease attacks when it is not at all expected.

Exposure to asbestos is the villain in the case. The silicate mineral was considered a wonder material earlier due to its multifaceted properties like resistance to heat and electric shock, capability to withstand chemical reactions etc and was used to manufacture a wide range of products like insulation products, construction material etc. But workers who inhaled the toxic air containing asbestos suffered and are suffering the adverse erects of asbestos exposure.

The emphasis these days is to employ proper precautions while handing the material and to provide ample compensation to those who suffered for no fault of theirs. In addition, experiments and field trials are on to find better cure for lung mesothelioma because cure from existing therapies have not been at desired levels.