Mesothelioma is a rare kind of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. It compromises the immune system of those who have inhaled or swallowed the asbestos fibers. It cannot be broken down by the immune system because the fibers are essentially indestructible. A benign mesothelioma is rare, so any mention of the condition frequently refers to its malignant state, known as a tumor. A malignant tumor will expand and grow, and the cancerous cells can spread into other parts of the body. There are three main types of mesothelioma (Pleural Mesothelioma, Benign Mesothelioma and Peritoneal Mesothelioma), and each affects a different area of the body.

Pleural mesothelioma affects the lung pleura or the lining of the lungs. Doctors also refer to this disease as mesothelioma of the pleura. Benign mesothelioma tumor is non-cancerous. Benign tumor can still pose a threat to health if left untreated even if its tissue is non-cancerous. Peritoneal mesothelioma affects the thin cell membrane called the peritoneum. These cells surrounds the gastrointestinal tract and provides lubrication for the intestines and stomach to move so that they may function properly. If these organs does not properly move the food will not be properly processed and digested. A failure in the peritoneum may result in severe consequences. In the United States, approximately 2,000 to 3,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed each year. A doctor will likely discuss the probable course, or their mesothelioma prognosis and outcome of the cancer’s influence on the body once a patient is diagnosed. The best way to avoid a poor prognosis is through early detection.

Numerous factors will affect a patient’s prognosis such as, overall health, the type of mesothelioma the patient have, and age. But after diagnosis, the reported average length of survival throughout the last five years has been 11 to 12 months.