A cancerous form of tumour, which is virtually always caused by sustained exposure to asbestos. The time period between first exposure to asbestos and appearance of first symptoms can be anywhere between 20-50 years. In some cases, it may stretch even beyond that. Besides the treatment methods mentioned forth, supportive treatment such as pain-relief and oxygen may also help in relieving the symptoms a bit. Even though. Prognosis depends upon the stage of cancer, and availability of effective treatment options, different studies indicate median period to be between 4 and 18 months.

Benign-fibrous Mesothelioma

A non-cancerous tumour of the pleura. This is a localized type of tumour, which, as studies suggest, affects men more frequently then women. The usual symptoms to appear are chronic cough and shortness of breath. The reason for appearance of these symptoms is, the tumour grows to a large size at times and compresses the lung, causing shortness of breath. During physical examination, the health care professional may observe a clubbed appearance of fingers. Pleural effusion is a complication of this disorder.