Mesothelioma Cancer

Mesothelioma cancer is a cancer that is caused by asbestos inhalation for long period of time. Mesothelioma is an aggressive and malignant cancer. The cells of the mesothelium become abnormal, divide uncontrollably and without order. They can invade and damage nearby tissues and organs.

Mesothelioma originates in the sac lining of body’s cavities such as in lung, abdomen, heart, and testicles. The mesothelium can also covers the internal organs, that is called the visceral mesothelium, while the layer that covers the body wall is called parietal mesothelium. Mesothelium tissue also surrounds the male internal reproductive organs (testicular mesothelioma) and covers the internal reproductive organs in women.

At least, there are five types of mesothelioma. Four of these are malignant cancers, and one is a benign condition. Malignant mesothelioma cancers has specific types, they are Pleural Mesothelioma (develops in the lining of the lungs, known as the pleura. It is the most common form of malignant mesothelioma), Peritoneal Mesothelioma (develops in the lining of the abdominal cavity, known as the peritoneal membrane), Pericardial Mesothelioma (develops in the lining of the heart, known as the pericardium) and Testicular Mesothelioma (the rarest type of malignant mesothelioma, develops in the tunica vaginalis of the testicles). Peritoneal, Pleural and Pericardial mesothelioma are also called as abdominal mesothelioma because they are organs in the abdomen.