| Mesothelioma is the growth of malignant cells in | | | | itself a double-layered membrane. The inner layer |
| mesothelium, the thin membrane covering the body's | | | | called visceral pleura surrounds the lungs, while the |
| internal organs. This mesothelium lining covers the | | | | outer one, known as parietal pleura, forms the lining |
| pleural, peritoneal and pericardial cavities. Pleura is a | | | | of the pleural or chest cavity. The two pleural layers |
| membrane covering the lungs and it is the most | | | | are filled with a fluid that helps them to slide over |
| common location where mesothelioma cancer occurs | | | | each other as we breathe. As the disease |
| also known as pleural mesothelioma. Peritoneum, the | | | | progresses, the delicate pleural membranes thicken |
| protective covering that lines the abdominal cavity | | | | and press the lungs. A fluid secreted by the malignant |
| may also develop malignant tumors and cause | | | | cells, pleural effusion, may also collect between |
| peritoneal mesothelioma. | | | | visceral and parietal pleurae that causes problem in |
| Mesothelioma is one of the rarest cancers in the | | | | breathing and other complications. |
| world that is caused only by exposure to asbestos. | | | | Peritoneum Mesothelioma |
| Its exposure can be direct, by inhalation of asbestos | | | | The asbestos fibers may also cause cancer in the |
| or indirect exposure in which the asbestos particles | | | | peritoneum, known as peritoneal mesothelioma. This |
| are inhaled from the clothing, hair, equipment or other | | | | leads to thickening of the membranes surrounding |
| articles that were previously exposed to asbestos. | | | | abdominal organs and collection of a fluid, ascites in |
| Causes of Mesothelioma | | | | the abdominal cavity making it swell. |
| Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous mineral that | | | | Though it is yet not clear how peritoneal |
| is mined in different parts of the world due to its | | | | mesothelioma develops, it is believed that from lungs, |
| wide utility in various industries. However, it is a | | | | the asbestos fibers are transported to abdomen and |
| deadly carcinogen too and a mojor cause of | | | | its organs by the lymphatic system or they may be |
| mesothelioma and asbestosis. | | | | deposited in the gut through saliva contaminated by |
| Asbestos fibers are known to cause cancer of the | | | | the asbestos fibers. |
| mesothelium. Asbestos is the fibrous form of several | | | | Pericardial Mesothelioma |
| minerals and hydrous silicates of magnesium found | | | | This is the rarest type of mesothelioma cancer that |
| under ground. There are 3 types of asbestos, the | | | | comprises of only 5% of all the mesothelioma cases. |
| blue one, the while one and the brown one. Of all | | | | Like other types of mesothelioma cancer, pericardial |
| these 3 types, the blue one also called amphibole, | | | | mesothelioma is also caused by the inhalation of |
| long and thin in structure is more carcinogenic than | | | | asbestos dust and fibers. The lining of the chest |
| white or chrysolite asbestos or the brown one | | | | cavity which protects the heart is known as |
| known as amosite. | | | | pericardium. It is provided with a natural fluid or |
| However, in some cases the brown asbestos has | | | | mucous that provide continuous lubrication to the |
| also been found to cause mesothelioma. And it is for | | | | heart so that it can work properly and perform its |
| this reason that people exposed to asbestos even | | | | functions. |
| for a short period are vulnerable to the disease. | | | | It is a very deadly disease that destroys the tissues |
| Pleural Mesothelioma | | | | around the heart and diminishes the survival chances |
| Asbestos fibers are very fine and easily make their | | | | of the patient. As the asbestos particles settle |
| way to the lungs where they settle down in the | | | | further into the lining of the chest or pericardial, the |
| parenchyma of the lung and penetrate the pleura | | | | cancer spreads in the body. It destroys the heart |
| that later develops malignant mesothelial plaques. | | | | tissues and muscles that is very hazardous to life and |
| Pleura, which anchors lungs to the chest cavity, is | | | | proves fatal for the patient. |