Mesothelioma

Malignant mesothelioma is a disease in which a cancerous tumor grows on the mesothelium - the sac lining the internal body cavities. The specific type of mesothelioma is named for the tissue where the cancer started. There are two types of Mesothelioma:

• Pleural mesothelioma starts in the chest, in the pleura that surrounds the lungs (outer lining of the lungs and internal chest wall). It makes up about 70% of mesothelioma cases.
• Peritoneal mesothelioma starts in the lining of the abdominal cavity.

Although sometimes referred to as "asbestos lung cancer," mesothelioma is different from lung cancer. Lung cancer involves the inside of the lung while Mesothelioma involves the lining of the lung. Mesothelioma. while rare, striking fewer than 3000 Americans per year, is not uncommon.

What causes malignant mesothelioma?

The simple answer is asbestos exposure. Asbestos is a mineral which was popular due its heat-resistant properties. This naturally occurring mineral was used in many commercial and consumer products, from construction materials such as cement, roofing shingles and insulation, to consumer and industrial applications such as hair dryers, automobile brake pads and pipe insulation.

Exposure

While most exposure comes from a work environment, it’ s not uncommon for the family members of workers to develop mesothelioma from second hand exposure. This exposure comes from the asbestos fibers sticking to the worker’ s clothing and then being carried into the home on those clothes. There are instances of the workers, the worker’ s spouse and children all developing mesothelioma from the worker’ s exposure.

Additionally, the exposure does not have to be from directly working with asbestos. There are numerous cases where mesothelioma has developed in individuals whose only exposure has been to asbestos covering pipes, mechanical machinery, and other components.

If you or a loved one has developed mesothelioma, help is only a call away.