What is Mesothelioma?

Structure of our Lung

What is Mesothelioma?

 

1) Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is almost always caused by previous exposure to asbestos.

 2)In this disease, malignant cells develop in the mesothelium, a protective lining that covers most of the body's internal organs. 

 3) Its most common site is the pleura (outer lining of the lungs and internal chest wall), but it may also occur in the peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity), the pericardium (a sac that surrounds the heart) or tunica vaginalis.

4) Exposure to asbestos occurs primarily in occupational settings. Plumbers and insulation workers were widely exposed for many years. 

5) Each year about 3,000 people will die from mesothelioma as a result of asbestos exposure.

6) This cancer was very rare a few decades ago; however, it is being seen more frequently as men and women who were born in the 1920's and beyond advance into the older age group.

Structure after Mesothelioma :-