Mezothelioma
Mezothelioma is a misspelled variation of the malignancy "mesothelioma." Associated with the inhalation of asbestos, mesothelioma cancer develops principally among those who are exposed to asbestos on-the-job. However, malignant mesothelioma can also affect those who have suffered secondary exposure to this toxic mineral. Asbestos was widely used throughout much of the twentieth century due to its durability and heat-resistant qualities.
An aggressive asbestos cancer that carries a poor prognosis, mesothelioma can affect the lining of the lungs (pleural mesothelioma), heart (pericardial mesothelioma), or abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma). The mesothelioma latency period can be up to five decades, and is usually diagnosed when symptoms begin to surface.
Mesothelioma doctors generally recommend treatment with chemotherapy, including the drug Alimta®, the only FDA-approved drug specifically recommended for treatment of this disease. Other treatment might include surgery (generally in cases of early diagnosis) or mesothelioma radiation.
Other common misspellings:
- Mesolthilioma
- Mesothaleoma
- Mesotheoma
- Mefothelioma
- Mesiothelioma
- Mesophilianoma
- Mesotheliom
- Mesothemeola
- Mesotheliomea
- Mestafelioma
Source
National Cancer Institute
www.cancer.gov
