Though this disease sounds like a very obscure and rare disease, it is currently becoming one of the biggest scourges in the 21st century. It is a rare form of an incurable cancer which is only caused sustained exposure to asbestos or any form of asbestos whatsoever. As of now, asbestos is the only known cause of mesothelioma, whatever type it might be. The name of the cancer gets itself from the fact that all the cancer cells are developed in the mesothelium which is the lining that covers most of the vital organs of the body.

There are many parts of the body that mesothelioma might occur in, but the most common place where mesothelioma cells develop is the pleura which is the outer lining covering the lungs and the cavity of the chest. However, there are other places where the condition might occur and these places include the peritoneum which is the lining in the abdominal cavity. It can also happen in the pericardium which is the lining covering the hard and also om the tunica vaginalis.  Thus these malignant cells grow in this protective outer lining of the organs.

As of now, the only possible cause of mesothelioma is the exposure to the asbestos fibers over a sustained period of time. However, this exposure can be direct as well as indirect. The family members of someone who in turn has been exposed to asbestos for a long time, can get mesothelioma as well. Again, someone doing the laundry for someone who has been exposed to asbestos can also get mesothelioma in turn. So the rate and degree of exposure to asbestos can be of different kinds as well. However, there is no connection with mesothelioma and smoking, as is there , with most of the cancers.

There are many symptoms which are displayed by mesothelioma patients over a long period of time and the main problem with such symptoms is the fact that most of the mesothelioma symptoms are usually very general and non generic. So these symptoms can be mistaken by doctors for any other disease as well. However, some of the major symptoms include a pain in the chest wall, accumulation of fluid in the lungs, a short breath problem, frequent attacks of anemia and other weaknesses, a hoarse cough and wheezing at times, and also a condition called hemoptysis where blood is often coughed up with the saliva.

There are some other symptoms which affect a mesothelioma patient. There are tumors which are formed inside the body of the patient at the time of the condition. Some of the symptoms of these developing tumors include a pain in the abdomen, a fluid accumulation in the abdomen which is called ascites, there may be a mass formed in the abdomen, poor and irregular bowel functions and also an unexplained weight loss. Thus these are some of the main symptoms which are associated with this condition which is affecting more and more workers who have been associated with asbestos in some way or the other.