Asbestos - what is Asbestos - Information about Asbestos and Mesothelioma

Asbestos is a type of silicate mineral that is naturally occurring. It has a type of fibrous crystals that are long and thin, making it feel soft to the touch. It is known to withstand heat very well. Asbestos is a highly fibrorous mineral with thin long separable fibers. There are 2 kinds of asbestos. Chrysotile is commonly used for industrial purposes and has a curly property to it. While amphibole asbestos is thin and is very straight.

Asbestos is a toxic mineral if inhaled. Asbestos is known to cause many illnesses, such as, mesothelioma, certain types of pneumoconiosis and lunch cancer as well. Due to this reason many counties has been the use of asbestos. Before its ban in the 1980s Asbestos was used for in manufacturing and buildings because it can withstand heat, electricity and other chemical damage. It was later on in the mid 1990s that the harmful effects of Asbestos were fully exposed and its use was stopped. Friable asbestos is a type of highly toxic asbestos. It can easily spread because it has ash like qualities. This type of Asbestos that was used in houses and building for fire proofing.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is the most commonly known cancer caused by Asbestos. There are different type of mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma is usually caused by inhaling the fibers which then get trapped in the lining of the lungs causing the harmful scar tissue.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Peritoneal Mesothelioma is less common and the exact relationship to Asbestos has not been fully understood by the medical community. However, it is known that in almost all the cases of Peritoneal Mesothelioma the patient where exposed to Asbestos in some form.

Pericardial Mesothelioma

Pericardial Mesothelioma occurs in the lining of the heart. This type of mesothelioma is very rare and very little is known about it. Asbestos fibers impact the heart through the bloodstream is the cause.

Type of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer starts in cells in certain part of the body. In most cases it attacks the cells in the chest, stomach, and the heart. Mesothelioma gets its name from the lining formed by these cells, which is called Mesothelium. These cells play an important roll in protecting the organs by creating a special fluid around the organ, allowing it to move. For example fluid around the lungs makes it easy for the lung to move during inhaling and exhaling.

Tumor caused by Mesothelioma are referred to as malignant mesothelioma, but commonly they are known as Mesothelioma. There are several types of tumors that cause cancer:

Main types of Mesothelioma Tumors are:

1. The most common type of tumor is called Epithelioid. The prognosis is better for this type of tumor over the other.

2. Sarcomatoid: also known as fibrous. This cover about 10-20% of the cases of Mesothelioma cases.

3. Biphasic: This type contains features from both Epithelioid and Sarcomatoid.

Almost 30% of the Mesotheliomas start in or near the chest area. Other 10-20% usually begin in the stomach area and are referred to as peritoneal mesotheliomas. The least type of mesotheliomas are near the heart.