What is MESOTHELIOMA?
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Mesothelioma
is a type of cancer. It is a cancer of mesothelial cells. These cells
cover the outer surface of most of our internal body organs, forming a
lining that is sometimes called the mesothelium. So this is where this
type of cancer gets its name.
Mesothelioma cancer can develop in the tissues covering the
Lungs
Abdomen
The pleura
The tissues lining (or covering) the lungs are called the pleura. There
are two pleura. These can be called pleural membranes. The gap between
them is called the pleural space. The pleura are fibrous sheets. They help
to protect the lungs. They produce a lubricating fluid that fills the gap
between the two pleura. This helps the lungs to move smoothly in the chest
when they are inflating and deflating as we breathe.
Mesothelioma is most often diagnosed in the pleura. This is known as
pleural mesothelioma.
The peritoneum
The tissue lining the abdomen is called the peritoneum. It helps to
protect the contents of the abdomen. It also produces a lubricating fluid.
This helps the organs to move smoothly inside the abdomen as we move
around.
Mesothelioma of the tissues lining the abdominal cavity in known as
peritoneal mesothelioma. It is much less common than pleural mesothelioma.
It is unusual for mesothelioma to spread to other parts of the body. But
if it does, it does not usually cause troublesome symptoms.
