Lung Cancer Fact

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer. The most common form is pleural mesothelioma, cancer of the lung lining. Mesothelioma also occurs in the peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity) and the pericardium (the lining around the heart). All forms of mesothelioma are caused by exposure to asbestos.

Mesothelioma is a latent cancer. In other words, it may not appear in the body until 10 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos took place. The early symptoms of mesothelioma can resemble pneumonia. They include shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, persistent cough, and chest and abdominal pain. There is often fluid buildup between the lung lining and the chest cavity, which leads to shortness of breath and pain.

There is no known cure for mesothelioma, although the disease can be treated with chemotherapy, surgery, pneumonectomy, radiation therapy, and gene therapy.

Other types of lung cancer:

• Small cell lung cancer
• Large cell lung cancer
• Stages of lung cancer
• Asbestosis