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Mesothelioma

Find Information on Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma, or Asbestos cancer, is a cancer of the mesothelium. The mesothelium is the protective sac that covers and protects most internal organs of the body. The mesothelium is composed of two layers. These two layers consist of an inner liquid substance secreted by the outer layer, or sac, which forms a protective covering for the organ. This fluid allows the lungs to breathe and the heart to expand and contract.
The mesothelium has different names depending on the location in the body. However the one we will be focusing on here is the pleura, the mesothelial tissue surrounding the lungs and lining the chest cavity. The pleura is the most common area for mesothelioma development. Other areas prone to mesothelioma, however not as common, are the peritoneum, which covers most of the organs in the abdominal cavity, and the pericardium which covers and protects the heart.

The mesothelium produces a lubricating fluid that allows organs within it to move and glide easily. Like other forms of cancer, mesothelioma occurs when cells become abnormal and divide or grow out of control. In mesothelioma, the helpful lubricating fluid is over-produced. This excess fluid encases the organs with a thick layer of tumor tissue, described as similar to a rind type of layer. In advanced cases of mesothelioma, cells metastasize, or grow and invade other organs and spread to other areas of the body.
The majority of individuals suffering from mesothelioma have cancer in the lining of the lung. However, mesothelioma can also occur in the lining of the abdominal cavity (peritoneal mesothelioma) or in the lining of the heart (pericardial mesothelioma). Although the risk of a person contracting this type of mesothelioma is much lower, it is still just as deadly.

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