Mesothelioma - An Introduction
What is Mesothelium? To understand Mesothelioma let us first
understand what mesothelium is. The mesothelium is a membrane
that covers & protects most of the internal organs of the body,
the mesothelium is composed of two layers of cells, one layer
immediately surrounds the organ the other forms a sac like
covering around it. The mesothelium membrane produces a
lubricating fluid that is released between these layers,
allowing moving organs such as the beating heart and lungs to
slide easily against adjacent structures.
The mesothelium is called by different names, depending on where
it is located in the body. For e.g. the peritoneum is the
mesothelial tissue that covers most of the organs in the
abdominal cavity. The pericardium covers and protects the heart.
The pleura is the membrane that surrounds the lungs and lines
the wall of the chest cavity. 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.
What is Mesothelioma? Now the next question that arises is what
is Mesothelioma? Mesothelioma or the 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. Cancerous cells can also spread
called metastasizing from their original place to other parts of
the body. Most cases of Mesothelioma begin in the pleura or
peritoneum, i.e. the lining surrounding the chest and the lungs.
In malignant Mesothelioma, which is a rare form of cancer, the
cancerous or malignant cells are found in the sac lining the
chest (the pleura), the lining of the abdominal cavity (the
peritoneum) or the lining around the heart (the pericardium).
How do you get Mesothelioma? The single largest cause of
Mesothelioma is working with asbestos; it is a major risk factor
for Mesothelioma. A history of asbestos exposure at work is
reported in about 70 percent to 80 percent of all cases.
However, there have been cases where Mesothelioma has been
reported in some individuals without any known exposure to
asbestos. Most people with malignant Mesothelioma have worked on
jobs where they breathed asbestos. Others have been exposed to
asbestos in a household environment, often without their
knowledge.
What is Asbestos? Asbestos is the name of a group of minerals
that occur naturally as masses of strong, flexible fibers that
can be separated into thin threads and woven. Asbestos has been
widely used in many industrial products, including cement, brake
linings, roof shingles, flooring products, textiles, and
insulation. If tiny asbestos particles float in the air,
especially during the manufacturing process, they may be inhaled
or swallowed, and can cause serious health problems. In addition
to Mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos increases the risk of lung
cancer, asbestosis (a non cancerous, chronic lung ailment), and
other cancers, such as those of the larynx and kidney. The risk
of asbestos-related disease increases with heavier exposure to
asbestos and longer exposure time. There is some evidence that
family members and others living with asbestos workers have an
increased risk of developing Mesothelioma, and possibly other
asbestos-related diseases. This risk may be the result of
exposure to asbestos dust brought home on the clothing and hair
of asbestos workers.