Mesothelioma overview
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Mesothelioma Microchapters |
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Diagnosis |
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Treatment |
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Case Studies |
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Mesothelioma overview On the Web |
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American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Mesothelioma overview |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Mesothelioma is a rare, highly aggressive cancer which arises from the mesothelial cells which form the lining of the pleural, and less frequently the peritoneal, pericardial, and tunica vaginalis cavities.
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is most commonly caused by exposure to asbestos.[1] In this disease, malignant cells develop in the mesothelium, a protective lining that covers most of the body's internal organs. Its most common site is the pleura (outer lining of the lungs and chest cavity), but it may also occur in the peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity) or the pericardium (a sac that surrounds the heart).
Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles, or have been exposed to asbestos dust and fibre in other ways, such as by washing the clothes of a family member who worked with asbestos, or by home renovation using asbestos cement products.
References
- ↑ "Mesothelioma risks and causes : Cancer Research UK : CancerHelp UK". Cancerhelp.org.uk. 2010-06-23. Retrieved 2010-08-20.