Mesothelioma can be defined as a benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous) tumor affecting the lining of the chest or abdomen. This web site attempts to explain the variety of mesothelioma that is caused by exposure to asbestos particles in the air which increases the risk of developing malignant mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma (cancer of the mesothelium) is a disease in which cells of the mesothelium become abnormal and divide without control or order. They can invade and damage nearby tissues and organs. Cancer cells can also spread from their original site to other parts of the body. Most cases of mesothelioma begin in the pleura or peritoneum.
The Mesothelium
The mesothelium is a membrane composed of two layers of cells that cover and protect most of the internal organs of the body. One layer surrounds each organ and the other forms a sac around it. The mesothelium's purpose is to produce a lubricating fluid that allows moving organs (such as the expanding and contracting lungs) to glide easily against adjacent structures.
Depending on location within the body, the mesothelium has different names: peritoneum is the mesothelial tissue that covers most of the organs in the abdominal cavity; pleura is the membrane that surrounds the lungs and lines the wall of the chest cavity. The pericardium covers and protects the heart. The mesothelial tissue surrounding the male internal reproductive organs is called the tunica vaginalis testis. The tunica serosa uteri covers the internal reproductive organs in women.
Malignant Mesothelioma Statistics
Mesothelioma is fairly rare. There are about 2,000 - 3,000 new cases per year in the USA. Most of these cases occur in people over 50 years old. Men are more likely than women to get this disease.
Although rare, this is a serious disease. It is often advanced before symptoms appear, so the outlook is not as good as it is for cancers that are found earlier. The average survival time is about 1 to 2 years.
Mesothelioma Risk Factors
The major cause of mesothelioma is air-borne asbestos. Exposure to asbestos is reported in about 80 percent of all cases, although some mesothelioma cases have been reported where there has been no known exposure to asbestos.
Asbestos has been widely used in many industrial products, including cement, brake linings, roof shingles, flooring products, textiles, and insulation. Asbestos particles floating in the air can easily inhaled and are now known to be a significant cause of respiratory problems. In addition to mesothelioma, asbestos increases the risk of lung cancer, asbestosis (a non-cancerous, lung ailment).
There is no evidence that smoking appears to increase the risk of mesothelioma, however, asbestos and smoking combined can significantly increases a person's risk of developing various cancers.
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