Friday, 21 December 2007

What is Mesothelioma

mesothelioma ia a type of cancer that is caused by previous exposure of asbestos. Mesothelioma cancer can develop in the tissues covering the lungs, and the abdomen. Mesothelioma is a cancer of the mesothelial cells, therefore receiving it's name mesothelioma. These cells cover the outside surface of our inner body organs. This lining is sometimes called the mesothelium.

The tissue lining the lungs and chest cavity are called the pleura. This is the most common place for the cancer to be. The other places it can develop in is the peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity), or the pericardium (a sac that surrounds the heart).

Asbestos is composed of minerals, it became increasingly popular with manufacturers and builders. Asbestos is used in brake shoes and gaskets for its heat resistance. So the inhalation of asbestos fibers causes serious illnesses which leads to mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma does not usually spread to other parts of the body.

There are also benign (non cancerous) mesothelioma that can develop as well The non cancerous tumours are very rare.




Keywords: mesothelioma, cancer, asbestos, mesothelioma treatments,

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