What is Mesothelioma? Malignant-lung cancer
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Mesothelioma (malignant-lung cancer)

Mesothelioma (malignant-lung cancer) is caused by breathing loose asbestos particles or dust, which can then cause scarring of the mesothelium and ultimately cause cancer. Malignant-lung cancer (mesothelioma) is a disease where the cells of the mesothelium become abnormal and divide without control or order. They can invade and damage nearby tissues and organs. The malignant-lung cancer cells can also spread from their original site to other parts of the body. Most Mesothelioma cancer can affect the lungs, heart, or abdominal cavity.

The mesothelium is a membrane that covers and protects most of the internal organs of the body. It is composed of two layers of cells: One layer immediately surrounds the organ and the other layer forms a sac around it. The mesothelium produces a lubricating fluid that is released between these layers allowing moving organs (such as the beating heart and the expanding and contracting lungs) to glide easily against adjacent structures.

The mesothelium goes by different names depending on its location in the body:

• Peritoneum is the mesothelial tissue that covers most of the organs in the abdominal cavity.
• Pleura is the membrane surrounding the lungs and lines the wall of the chest cavity.
• Pericardium covers and protects the heart.
• Tunica vaginalis testis is the mesothelial tissue surrounding the male internal reproductive organs
• Tunica serosa uteri covers the internal reproductive organs in women.

Most cases of mesothelioma (malignant-lung cancer) begin in the pleura or peritoneum. Because of the long latency period, a person may not realize that he or she has the disease because it takes 30 years or more to manifest symptoms. Even if there are some signs like a cold, cough, and chest pain the symptoms are so similar to pneumonia that they are often misdiagnosed. Once the symptoms have manifested, the lifespan can be as short as a few months.

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