Did you mean Mesothelioma?

“Meselthelioma”is a common misspelling of the word mesothelioma (“pronounced mez-uh-thee-lee-YOH-muh). People afflicted with this illness may live for decades before being conclusively diagnosed. They may first experience a dry cough or difficulty in breathing, and months or years may pass before any other more compelling symptoms appear.

Caused by previous asbestos exposure, mesothelioma is most commonly diagnosed in the lungs (pleural mesothelioma) but may also be found in the lining of the heart (pericardial mesothelioma) or the abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma). If asbestos fibers are inhaled or ingested, they can remain in the mesothelium – or lining of the body’s internal organs – for upwards of fifty years before a malignancy is detected.

Those who served aboard United States Navy ships are considered to be at an increased risk of developing this disease, as the ships constructed during the World War II era were laden with asbestos. Other professionals, such as construction workers, are also at an increased risk.

Last modified: February 15 2010.