Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer (malignancy) that most frequently arises from the cells lining the sacs of the chest (the pleura) or the abdomen (the peritoneum).
In this article. Mesothelioma is cancer of the mesothelium, a protective membrane that lines most of the body's internal organs. Three out of every four cases cases of mesothelioma disease begin in the pleural mesothelium of the chest cavity. Mesothelioma can also begin in the abdominal cavity and around the heart. The main risk factor for mesothelioma is working with asbestos. Asbestos is a group of minerals with thin microscopic fibers. Because these fibers are resistant to heat, fire, and chemicals and do not conduct electricity, asbestos has been mined and used widely in the construction, automotive, and other industries. The most common anatomical site for mesothelioma is the pleura (the outer lining of the lungs and internal chest wall), but it can also arise in the peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity), the pericardium (the sac that surrounds the heart), or the tunica vaginalis (a sac that surrounds the testis). Symptoms or signs of mesothelioma may not appear until 20 to 50 years (or more) after exposure to asbestos. Shortness of breath, cough, and pain in the chest due to an accumulation of fluid in the pleural space (pleural effusion) are often symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. 1 Mesothelioma is a cancer that arises from the cells lining the chest or abdominal cavities. 2  Mesothelioma typically results from exposure to asbestos. 3  When mesothelioma affects the chest, the doctor may look inside the chest cavity with a special instrument called a thoracoscope. Mesothelioma facts. 1  Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer affecting the membrane lining of the lungs and abdomen. Malignant mesothelioma is the most serious of all asbestos-related diseases. Exposure to asbestos is the primary cause and risk factor for mesothelioma. Making a correct mesothelioma diagnosis is particularly difficult for doctors because the disease often presents with symptoms that mimic other common ailments. While mesothelioma is typically advanced at diagnosis, treatment options are available. Mesothelioma, while certainly an aggressive disease, is a manageable malignancy. While there is no cure for the cancer, mesothelioma treatment options may potentially include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Mesothelioma is a cancerous or malignant tumour that starts in cells of the mesothelium. Malignant means that it can spread, or metastasize, to other parts of the body. The mesothelium is a membrane that covers and protects most of your internal organs. It is made up of 2 layers. Mesothelioma is a very rare type of cancer. It most often develops in the pleura, which is called pleural mesothelioma. This type of cancer makes up 70%–80% of all mesotheliomas. Cancer can also start in the peritoneum, which is called peritone Mesothelioma (or, more precisely, malignant mesothelioma) is a rare form of cancer that develops from cells of the mesothelium, the protective lining that covers many of the internal organs of the body. Symptoms or signs of mesothelioma may not appear until 20 to 50 years (or more) after exposure to asbestos. Shortness of breath, cough, and pain in the chest due to an accumulation of fluid in the pleural space (pleural effusion) are often symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. Overview. Malignant mesothelioma is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the thin layer of tissue that covers the lung, chest wall, or abdomen. The most common type of malignant mesothelioma is epithelial mesothelioma, which forms in the cells that line organs. The other types begin in spindle-shaped cells called sarcomatoid cells or are a mixture of both cell types. Epithelial mesothelioma may grow more slowly and have a better prognosis than other types. What is mesothelioma? Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer (malignancy) that most frequently arises from the cells lining the sacs of the chest (the pleura) or the abdomen (the peritoneum). Pleural mesothelioma is the most common form, often presenting with symptoms in the chest area. Peritoneal mesothelioma is much less common. This can affect the organs in the abdomen, and its symptoms are related to this area of the body, that is, abdominal swelling, nausea, vomiting, and bowel obstruction. Mesothelioma facts. 1  Mesothelioma is a cancer that arises from the cells lining the chest or abdominal cavities. 2  Mesothelioma typically results from exposure to asbestos. 3  When mesothelioma affects the chest, the doctor may look inside the chest cavity with a special instrument called a thoracoscope. Malignant mesothelioma is a cancer that starts in cells in the linings of certain parts of the body, especially in the linings of the chest or abdomen. Cancer starts when cells start to grow out of control. Cells in nearly any part of the body can become cancer.  Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked in careers such as mining, where they inhaled or ingested asbestos fibers, or were exposed to airborne asbestos dust and fibers in other ways. Washing the clothing of a family member who worked with asbestos also creates a risk for developing mesothelioma. Symptoms or signs of mesothelioma may not appear until 20 to 50 years (or more) after exposure to asbestos. Shortness of breath, cough, and pain in the chest due to an accumulation of fluid in the pleural space (pleural effusion) are often symptoms of pleural
http://www.webmd.com/lung/mesothelioma-causes-and-symptoms https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesothelioma http://www.medicinenet.com/mesothelioma/article.htm http://www.mesothelioma.com/mesothelioma/ http://www.cancer.ca/en/cancer-information/cancer-type/mesothelioma/mesothelioma/?region=on https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesothelioma http://www.cancer.gov/types/mesothelioma http://www.medicinenet.com/mesothelioma/article.htm http://www.cancer.org/cancer/malignantmesothelioma/detailedguide/malignant-mesothelioma-malignant-mesothelioma https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesothelioma
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