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Mesothelioma is a rare disease type of cancer. This cancer occurs in the lining of the body's internal organs, a thin layer of cells known as the mesothelium, a protective lining that covers most of the body's internal organs. While very thin, this layer of cells is vitally important to organ function and the health of the inner body structures. Its common site is the pleura (outer lining of the lungs and internal chest wall. But it may also occur in the peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity), the heart, the pericardium (a sac that surround the heart), or tunica vaginalis.
Mesothelioma is described as localized if the cancer is found only on the membrane surface where it originated. It is classified as advanced if it has spread beyond the original membrane surface to other parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes, lungs, chest wall, or abdominal organs.
The primary cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos, where they inhaled asbestos particles, or they have been exposed to asbestos dust and fiber in other ways. Washing the clothes of a family member who worked with asbestos can also put a person at risk for developing mesothelioma.
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 noncancerous, chronic ung ailment), and other cancers, such as those of the larynx and kidney. Unlike lung cancer, there is no association between mesothelioma and smoking. However, the combination of smoking and asbestos exposure significantly increases a person's risk of developing cancer of the air passageways in the lung.
