Mesothelioma is contracted by the exposure to asbestos. It is a rare cancer that attaches itself to the thin layer of cells lining the internal organs. Mesothelioma can lead to death as it progresses. End stage, also known as stage IV mesothelioma, is diagnosed once the cancer has metastasized to other areas of the body. The brain, abdomen and chest cavity are the most common areas to which the cancer spreads. End stage mesothelioma patients experience complications such as difficulty breathing, chest pain, accumulation of fluids in the chest and abdomen and swelling. Many end-stage mesothelioma patients are in extreme pain. Treatment with strong pain medications is necessary. Draining of fluid off the abdomen and chest are also usually necessary to help patients breath easier. Stage IV mesothelioma indicates the patient is terminal. The disease has spread throughout the body. The patient generally has less than a year to live. Mesothelioma is caused only by exposure to asbestos. Symptoms of the disease can occur up to 30 to 50 years after exposure. A biopsy is always necessary to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. American Cancer Society---MesotheliomaIdentification
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