Malignant mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer, which affects the protective lining of the cavities of lungs, heart, abdomen etc, called mesothelium. There is a common tendency to get confused between mesothelioma and lung cancer. But the former infects the lining whereas the latter affects the lung itself. Mesothelioma patients are those unfortunate people who have inhaled in asbestos particles for long durations of time.

Basically there are three types of malignant mesothelioma. The most common one which affects the pleura, or the outer covering of lings and internal chest wall is known as the pleural mesothelioma. The types of mesothelioma which affects the protective lining of the abdominal cavity and heart are called peritoneal and pericardial mesothelioma respectively. Though the cancer is definitely fatal, the death rates vary. The pericardial mesothelioma is known to be the most dangerous one.

Asbestos particles, when inhaled, inhabit the mesothelium and in the course of a several years, retard the normal functioning of its cells. The infection usually assumes frightening proportions only after several decades. This long latency period is the reason why many of our newly diagnosed mesothelioma patients are workers who were exposed to asbestos fibers in the 1940s to 1970s.

Pleural effusion is the main initial symptom of the disease. This is the condition in which the patient experiences shortness of breath due to excessive build up of fluid in the cavities. Incessant dry cough along with shortness of breath is a definite symptom of malignant mesothelioma attack. Other symptoms include fever, fatigue, pain around chest, night sweats, swelling of the abdomen, weight loss etc. In the case of malignant mesothelioma, doctors sometimes misdiagnose the type of cancer resulting in wrong treatment.

Individualized treatment is essential for mesothelioma. Here the doctors have to consider the type and stage of cancer along with the overall health of the victim. Chemotherapy, radiation and surgery are the most common treatment used as in other cancers. Risks are involved in this approach due to the fact that most of the patients would be at the last stage of malignant mesothelioma at the time of diagnosis. If the doctors find the disease incurable, palliative treatment is given to the patient. Still, since research works are going on regarding promising modern techniques of treatment, there is hope.