What
is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma (cancer of the mesothelium) is a disease
in which cells of the mesothelium become abnormal and
divide without control or order. Mesothelioma is a cancer
of the linings of the lungs, chest, abdomen, and the
organs contained in those areas, rather than a cancer
that forms in the lungs.They can invade and damage nearby
tissues and organs. Cancer cells can also metastasize
(spread) from their original site to other parts of
the body. Mesothelioma is most frequently caused by
exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is a group of naturally
occurring minerals. Asbestos releases strong, microscopic
fibers that may injure the protective linings surrounding
the body's organs.Most cases of mesothelioma begin in
the pleura or peritoneum.
Malignant
mesothelioma is an uncommon, but no longer rare, cancer
that is difficult to diagnose and poorly responsive
to therapy. Malignant mesothelioma is the most serious
of all asbestos-related diseases. Thousands of Americans
die each year from asbestos related disease including
mesothelioma cancer.
A layer of specialized cells called mesothelial cells
lines the chest cavity, abdominal cavity, and the cavity
around the heart. These cells also cover the outer surface
of most internal organs. The tissue formed by these
cells is called mesothelium.There are three main types
of malignant mesothelioma: epithelial, sarcomatoid and
mixed. The epithelial type is the most common.
The mesothelium helps protect the organs by producing
a special lubricating fluid that allows organs to move
around. For example, this fluid makes it easier for
the lungs to move inside the chest during breathing.
The mesothelium of the chest is called the pleura and
the mesothelium of the abdomen is known as the peritoneum.
The mesothelium of the pericardial cavity (the "sac-like"
space around the heart) is called the pericardium.
Tumors of the mesothelium can be benign (noncancerous)
or malignant (cancerous). A malignant tumor of the mesothelium
is called a malignant mesothelioma. Because most mesothelial
tumors are cancerous, malignant mesothelioma is often
simply called mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma was recognized as a tumor of the pleura,
peritoneum and pericardium in the late 1700's. However
it was not until much later, in 1960, that this particular
type of tumor was described in more detail and even
more importantly, its association with asbestos exposure
was recognized. The first report linking mesothelioma
to asbestos exposure was written by J.C.Wagner, and
described 32 cases of workers in the "Asbestos Hills"
in South Africa. Since then, the relationship between
mesothelioma and asbestos exposure has been confirmed
in studies around the world. Once it develops, this
type of cancer will continue to grow and spread until
it is treated.
About three-fourths of malignant mesothelioma occurrences
start in the chest cavity and is known as pleural mesothelioma.
Another 10% to 20% begin in the abdomen and is called
peritoneal mesothelioma. Pericardial mesothelioma, starting
in the cavity around the heart, is very rare. The covering
layer of the testicles is actually an out pouching of
peritoneum into the scrotum. Mesothelioma that affects
this covering of the testicles is quite rare.
About 90 percent of people who are diagnosed with malignant
mesothelioma have chest pain or shortness of breath
as the first symptoms of the disease. Chest pain is
caused mainly by the cancer itself, which irritates
nerve cells in nearby tissues. Less severe chest discomfort
and shortness of breath generally are caused by a collection
of fluid between the two layers of the pleura in the
chest, not by the cancer itself. This collection of
fluid is called a pleural effusion. People with mesothelioma
that develops in the abdominal lining can have abdominal
pain and swelling caused by an accumulation of fluid
in the abdominal cavity. Other possible symptoms include
cough, fatigue and unexplained weight loss.
Mesothelioma is not caused by smoking, as lung cancer
so often is. Instead, mesothelioma is tied almost exclusively
to the mineral asbestos. Of the 2,000 new cases of mesothelioma
reported in the United States each year, 70 to 80 percent
can be traced to tiny, airborne shards of asbestos,
which in the past was used in the production of construction
materials ranging from cement to shingles to siding,
and was extensively used as insulation.
Mesothelioma also is not a disease of the past. Although
protections against occupational asbestos exposure have
been in place since the 1970s, asbestos-related cancers
such as mesothelioma can take 30 to 50 years to show
up, according to the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation.
There are several misconceptions about mesothelioma.
For one thing, it is not lung cancer. It is a cancer
of the two-layered membrane that covers and protects
most of the body’s organs. That membrane, the
mesothelium, is also called pericardium where it covers
the heart, peritoneum where it surrounds most of the
other abdominal organs, and pleura where it envelops
the lungs, which is also where it most often turns cancerous.
The mesothelium of the chest is called the pleura
The mesothelium of the abdomen is known as the peritoneum.
The mesothelium of the pericardial cavity ("sac-like"
space around the heart) is called the pericardium.
About 50 to 70 percent of its occurrences are the epithelioid
type: This type has the best forecast (outlook for survival).
|
|
|
Asbestos Exposure:
Questions and Answers
-> What
is asbestos?
-> How
is asbestos used?
-> What
are the health hazards of exposure to asbestos?
-> Who
is at risk?
-> How
great is the risk?
-> How
does smoking affect risk?
-> Who
needs to be examined?
-> How can
workers protect themselves?
-> Will
the Government provide examinations and treatment for
asbestos-related conditions? What about insurance coverage?
-> Is
there a danger of nonoccupational exposure from the
environment and products contaminated
with asbestos fibers?
-> What
other organizations offer information related to asbestos
exposure?
-> References
# # #
Sources of National Cancer Institute Information
Mesothelioma Web - The Best Resource for Mesothelioma Patients
The Mesothelioma Web (MW) is dedicated to consolidating the most up to date, concise, mesothelioma medical information, contacts and important links. Our resource coordinators are constantly on the lookout for new information and are available to help you find answers for your individual situation
MARF - Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, Inc.
Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, the nationalnonprofit organization dedicated to eradicating mesothelioma as a life-ending disease
Mesothelioma/Asbestos Update Page
Asbestos Update is an up-to-date survey of medical and legal options for mesothelioma patients, including medical abstracts, doctor referrals and mesothelioma patient profiles. Mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining of the lungs, lining of the abdomen, or heart caused by exposure to asbestos
Mesothelioma Information - The Asbestos Cancer Resource
Mesothelioma Information at MesoInfo.com is an educational resource for those who suffer from the lung cancer mesothelioma, also known as asbestos cancer, or who know someone who does.
Mesothelioma Information Resource Group
The Mesothelioma Information and Resource Group [MIRG] is an organization created to assist patients, family, friends and loved ones in learning about mesothelioma and other asbestos-related injuries
Mesothilioma, Mesotheliema,Mesothiliema,Mesotheleoma
Mesosthelioma, Masesthilioma information: |