I) Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is almost always caused by previous exposure to asbestos.In this disease, malignant cells develop in the mesothelium, a protective lining that covers most of the body's internal organs. Its most common site is the pleura (outer lining of the lungs and chest cavity), but it may also occur in the peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity) or the pericardium (a sac that surrounds the heart).
Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles, or have been exposed to asbestos dust and fibre in other ways, such as by washing the clothes of a family member who worked with asbestos, or by home renovation using asbestos cement products. Unlike lung cancer, there is no association between mesothelioma and smoking. (Original Sorce from Wikipedia)
Mesothelioma is a rare cancer, most commonly associated with inhalation of asbestos. It affects the mesothelium, a membrane that surrounds the lungs and other internal organs.
Mesothelioma (pronounced mee-so-thee-lee-oma) is a cancer of the mesothelium. The mesothelium is a thin membrane that lines the chest and abdomen and surrounds the organs in these areas. The lining around the lungs is called the pleura and in the abdomen it is known as the peritoneum.
II) Mesotheliomas are uncommon cancers, although they are becoming more frequent. Currently, about 1,700 people in the UK are diagnosed with mesothelioma each year.
Mesothelioma of the lining of the lungs (pleural mesothelioma) is much more common than mesothelioma in the peritoneum, and for every person with peritoneal mesothelioma there will be about 12 people who have pleural mesothelioma.
Pleural mesothelioma
The pleura has two layers: the inner (visceral) layer, which is next to the lung and the outer (parietal) layer, which lines the chest wall. The two layers of the pleura are usually in contact and slide over each other as we breathe. The membranes produce fluid, which allows them to slide over each other easily.
When a mesothelioma develops in the pleura (pleural mesothelioma), the delicate membranes thicken and may press inwards on the lung. Fluid may also collect between the two layers of the pleura and this is known as a pleural effusion.
Structure of the lungs and pleura
Peritoneal mesothelioma
The lining of the abdomen is known as the peritoneum. It also has two layers: the inner (visceral) layer, which is next to the abdominal organs and the outer (parietal) layer, which lines the abdominal wall.
If the mesothelioma is in the peritoneum it is called a peritoneal mesothelioma and causes thickening of the membranes surrounding the abdominal organs and a collection of fluid in the abdomen. The collection of fluid is called ascites and causes swelling of the abdomen.
Side view of the abdomen showing the peritoneum
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