In the past two decades there has been a large amount of research done on the cancer Mesothelioma. This form of cancer starts in the lining of the lungs. The cancer causes tumors to spread in the lining of the lungs and then move to the linings of other major organs. Once this cancer begins to cause the formation of tumors in the body it spreads quickly. This causes the life expectancy for those with this cancer to be very short.

Origins of the Cancer

What is current known about the origins of this cancer is that the majority of cases are linked to exposure to asbestos. After an individual has been exposed to an environment where they have inhaled asbestos some of the fibers can become trapped in the lungs. These fibers can develop this Mesothelioma cancer to form.

Once asbestos fibers have become trapped in the lungs and begin the formation of cancerous cells in the body it can be quite some time before symptoms of the cancer appear. In most cases those who develop this cancer do not show any signs or symptoms of it until 15 to 50 years after the time of the initial exposure.

Diagnoses of the Cancer

In the past decade there have been an increasing number of cases of this cancer. This is due in large part to the fact that asbestos was so widely used in manufacturing and housing construction over 25 years ago. Although the use of asbestos has been curbed and even banned in most forms, those who were exposed during the time it was commonly used are now developing the cancer.

As of today Mesothelioma is very hard to diagnose. This is due to this cancer being easily confused with another more common form of cancer, adenocarcinoma. The cells for both of these cancers are similar in shape. There are no obvious distinctions between these cancer cells until the Mesothelioma has developed into its later stages. It takes experts in diagnosing and treating this asbestos associated cancer to recognize the cells in their earlier forms of development.

What the Research has yielded

Many organizations from governmental agencies to private companies around the world conduct research on this very deadly cancer. As of now their research has yielded a variety of drugs which can slow the growth of this cancer in some patients. These drugs have been known to slightly extend the common 6 month to 1 year life expectance of those who have been diagnosed with the disease.

Why Research has Been Slow

One reason that treatment has been so slow going for this cancer is the fact that the life expectancy of those with the cancer is so low. It is also due there being very few documented cases of anyone being diagnosed with this cancer during its early stages since symptoms do not form until the later stages of the cancer development. The cancer can not generally be effectively treated before fast progression of it has begun.