What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a cancerous tumor or malignancy that starts in the cells of the mesothelium. The word "malignant" means that the tumor can spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body.
The mesothelium is a membrane that covers and protects most of your internal organs. It consists of 2 layers. The inner layer surrounds the various organs, including the lungs, heart and stomach. The outer layer forms a sort of bag around the inner layer. There is a small amount of liquid between the two layers, which facilitates the movement of organs.
The mesothelium has different names depending on the location of the body where it is located. The mesothelium forms a protective cushion around the lungs called the pleura. The inner layer, which covers the lungs, is called visceral pleura. The outer layer, which lines the inner wall of the thorax, is called parietal pleura.
The mesothelium that covers the abdominal organs and lines the walls of the abdomen and pelvis called the peritoneum. The inner layer, which surrounds and supports most of the internal abdominal organs is called visceral peritoneum. The outer layer, which lines the wall of the abdomen and pelvis is called the parietal peritoneum.
The mesothelium is formed of mesothelial cells. Sometimes these cells undergo changes that make their way of growth or abnormal behavior. These changes can cause the formation of non-cancerous tumors, benign or, as the fibrous tumor of the pleura and the multicystic mesothelioma. But in some cases, changes in the mesothelial cells can cause malignant mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer. It most often develops in the pleura and door pleural mesothelioma name. This type of cancer accounts for 70-80% of all mesotheliomas. Cancer can also be formed in the peritoneum; it is called peritoneal mesothelioma. This form of cancer is about 25% of all mesotheliomas.
Rare types of mesothelioma may also occur. They include among other mesothelioma of the pericardium, which originates in the membrane surrounding the heart. Mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis, which develops in the testis of the outer coating, is another example.
Read more: http://www.cancer.ca/fr-ca/cancer-information/cancer-type/mesothelioma/mesothelioma/#ixzz4Cv3acHFk
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