Meso

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that affects the membrane that covers and protects various internal organs of the body (mesothelium). The mesothelium is composed of two layers of specialized cells known as mesothelial cells. One layer directly surrounds an organ; the other forms a protective sac around the organ. The most common form of mesothelioma affects the membrane or sac that lines the lungs (pleura). Other common sites include the membrane lining the stomach (peritoneum) and the membrane lining the heart (pericardium).

The term "cancer" refers to a group of diseases characterized by abnormal, uncontrolled cellular growth (e.g., mesothelial cells) that invades surrounding tissues and may spread (metastasize) to distant bodily tissues or organs via the bloodstream, the lymphatic system, or other means. Different forms of cancer, including mesothelioma, may be classified based upon the cell type involved, the specific nature of the malignancy, the tissues or organs affected, and the disease's clinical course. Symptoms of mesothelioma vary depending upon the location, type and stage of the cancer. Approximately 70 to 80 percent of cases of mesothelioma result from exposure to asbestos. Symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until up to 50 years after initial exposure to asbestos. However, after symptoms began apparent, mesothelioma may rapidly progress to cause life-threatening complications.
Resources

American Cancer Society, Inc.
1599 Clifton Road NE
Atlanta, GA 30329
USA
Tel: 4043203333
Tel: 8002272345
Internet: http://www.cancer.org

American Lung Association
61 Broadway, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10006
USA
Tel: 2123158700
Fax: 2123158870
Tel: 8005864872
Internet: http://www.lungusa.org

National Cancer Institute
6116 Executive Blvd, MSC 8322, Room 3036A
Bethesda, MD 20892-8322
USA
Tel: 3014353848
Tel: 8004226237
TDD: 8003328615
Internet: http://www.cancer.gov

Canadian Cancer Society
10 Alcorn Avenue
Suite 200
Toronto
Toronto, M4V 3B1
Canada
Tel: (416) 961-7223
Fax: (416) 961-4189
Tel: (888) 939-3333
Email: ccs@cancer.ca
Internet: http://www.cancer.ca/

Cancer Care, Inc.
275 Seventh Avenue
New York, NY 10001
Tel: (212)302-2400
Fax: (212)719-0263
Tel: (800)813-4673
Email: info@cancercare.org
Internet: http://www.cancercare.org

Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, Inc.
3944 State Street
Suite 340
Santa Barbara, CA 93190-1840
USA
Tel: 8055638400
Fax: 8055638411
Tel: 8773636376
Email: j-wayne@marf.org
Internet: http://www.curemeso.org

Rare Cancer Alliance
1649 North Pacana Way
Green Valley, AZ 85614
USA
Tel: 5206255495
Fax: 6155264921
Email: sharon.lane@rare-cancer.org
Internet: http://www.rare-cancer.org

Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization
1525 Aviation Boulevard
Suite 318
Redondo Beach, CA 90278
Tel: (310)480-2989
Fax: (310)798-9235
Email: info@AsbestosDiseaseAwareness.org
Internet: http://www.asbestosdiseaseawareness.org

Friends of Cancer Research
2231 Crystal Drive
Suite 200
Arlington, VA 22202
Tel: (703)302-1503
Fax: (703)302-1568
Email: info@focr.org
Internet: http://www.focr.org

People Living With Cancer
1900 Duke Street
Suite 200
Alexandria, VA 22314
Tel: (703)299-0150
Fax: (703)684-8618
Tel: (888)651-3038
Email: contactus@plwc.org
Internet: http://www.plwc.org

Wellness Community
919 18th Street N.W.
Suite 54
Washington, DC 20006
Tel: (202)659-9709
Fax: (202)659-9301
Tel: (888)793-9355
Email: help@thewellnesscommunity.org
Internet: http://www.thewellnesscommunity.org

Lance Armstrong Foundation
PO Box 161550
Austin, TX 78716-1150
Tel: (512)236-8820
Fax: (512)236-8482
Tel: (866)235-7205
Internet: http://www.livestrong.org