Mesothelioma?? What is mesothelioma and what does mesothelioma means to you

I seen the commercials on the tv about mesothelioma and lawyers and lawsuits. What is it about? Here it is:

Mesothelioma via dictionary.com

mes·o·the·li·o·ma

a malignant tumor of the covering of the lung or the lining of the pleural and abdominal cavities, often associated with exposure to asbestos.

Origin:

1905–10; mesotheli(um) + -oma

A more precise definition via The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary

mesothelioma mes·o·the·li·o·ma

A rare neoplasm derived from the lining cells of the pleura and peritoneum and growing as a thick sheet composed of spindle cells or fibrous tissue covering the viscera.

Mesothelioma is rare cancer that is caused by asbestos. Asbestos is a constuction material used in the early 1900's and analogous to lead in paint prior to 1970s. Lawsuits has led to decline in lead based paint as well asbestos use in buildings and homes.

The sign and symptoms of mesothelioma are difficulty breathing, pain in the chest, pneumonia-like fluids in the lungs.and fluids in coughs.  Other problems with mesothelioma is tumors spreading to other body areas, blood clots or internal bleeding.

Unfortunately,the symptoms of mesothelioma may take twenty or more to develop and by then the damage may severe.

For more complete information on mesothelioma, check the following sites:

Wikipedia.org

mesothelioma.com