The Asbestos Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer, develops in the thin layer of the cells that covers the internal organs in the human body. The most common places where Mesothelioma flourishes is the pleura, the outer lining of the lungs, besides the peritoneum, the abdominal cavity and the pericardium the sac that covers the heart.

Types of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is known to affect the membrane of various vital organs inside the human body, such as the lungs, heart and abdominal organs. The cause that is known to generate this disease is the exposure to asbestos.

Gene Therapy For Cancer Treatment

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the United States, claiming over half a million lives each year. While doctors and researchers understand the basic causes of cancer, they are still developing methods to effectively treat this deadly disease. One new type of cancer treatment that is currently in clinical trials is called gene therapy.

The Dangers of Secondary Asbestos Exposure

Since the mid-1950s, doctors and researchers have recognized that mesothelioma is primarily the result of exposure to the insulating material asbestos. For a long time, only firsthand asbestos exposure was recognized as a danger. However, it is only now that physicians are realizing that many people, especially spouses and children, came into contact with asbestos through secondary exposure. This is equally as dangerous as first-hand contact.