Mesothelioma is a rare cancer almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure.

Mesothelioma (cancer of the mesothelium) is a disease in which cells of the mesothelium become abnormal and divide without control or order. In addition to mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos increases the risk of lung cancer, asbestosis (a non-cancerous, chronic lung ailment), and other cancers.

Coping with mesothelioma. It can be very difficult coping with a diagnosis of cancer, both practically and emotionally. You are likely to be feeling very confused and upset at first. Mesothelioma is often diagnosed at quite an advanced stage. Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is almost always caused by exposure to asbestos. Unlike lung cancer, there is no association between mesothelioma and smoking, but smoking greatly increases risk of other asbestos-induced cancer.

Mesothelioma is a rare cancer almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure. Approximately 2000 to 3000 Americans are diagnosed each year. This cancer occurs about four times more frequently in men than in women and all forms of mesothelioma, except for benign mesothelioma. Since there is no cure for mesothelioma cancer, research grants are extremely important in the fight to discover a cure for this rare disease.