Mesothelioma, also called malignant mesothelioma, is a rare but
deadly form of cancer that typically occurs in the membrane around the
lungs, called the pleura. This type of cancer is usually the result of
inhaling asbestos fibers over a long period of time. Most people with mesothelioma, were exposed to asbestos at work, such as in a shipyard, an asbestos mine, an automotive plant, or at a construction site.
What Is Mesothelioma?
The mesothelium is the generic term used to describe the lining that covers many organs and body cavities. Mesothelial tissue helps to protect organs and minimize trauma during movement. In addition to the pleura, other mesothelia include:
Mesothelioma: The Asbestos Risk Factor
When asbestos fibers are inhaled into the lungs, they tend to remain there, and with continuous long-term exposure, the fibers begin to collect at the bottom of the lungs, where they become trapped in the pleura. Over time, this can lead to cancer, especially if there are other aggravating factors like a genetic predisposition or a history of smoking.
"Asbestos irritates the lining of the lung and causes inflammation, and then the inflammatory response and the secondary changes in the lungs and pleural space may eventually lead to a malignant degeneration," explains Timothy Winton, MD, associate professor of surgery and division director of thoracic surgery at the University of Alberta Hospital in Edmonton, Canada.
The average survival time for malignant mesothelima ranges between four and 18 months, and about 10 percent of patient live at least five years after being diagnosed. In rare cases of slow-growing mesothelioma, survival can extend to 20 years.
What Is Mesothelioma?
The mesothelium is the generic term used to describe the lining that covers many organs and body cavities. Mesothelial tissue helps to protect organs and minimize trauma during movement. In addition to the pleura, other mesothelia include:
- The peritoneum, which covers the walls of the abdominal cavity
- The pericardium, which encases the heart
- The tunica vaginalis testis, which covers the male internal reproductive organs
- The tunica serosa uteri, which covers the female internal reproductive organs
Mesothelioma can affect any of these mesothelial tissues, though the pleura is by far the most common site.
When asbestos fibers are inhaled into the lungs, they tend to remain there, and with continuous long-term exposure, the fibers begin to collect at the bottom of the lungs, where they become trapped in the pleura. Over time, this can lead to cancer, especially if there are other aggravating factors like a genetic predisposition or a history of smoking.
"Asbestos irritates the lining of the lung and causes inflammation, and then the inflammatory response and the secondary changes in the lungs and pleural space may eventually lead to a malignant degeneration," explains Timothy Winton, MD, associate professor of surgery and division director of thoracic surgery at the University of Alberta Hospital in Edmonton, Canada.
The average survival time for malignant mesothelima ranges between four and 18 months, and about 10 percent of patient live at least five years after being diagnosed. In rare cases of slow-growing mesothelioma, survival can extend to 20 years.
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