Posts Tagged ‘Mesothelioma’
Mesothelioma Cancer
What is mesothelioma?
The mesothelioma is cancer of the cells making up the lining around the outside of the lungs and inside of the ribs (pleura), or around the abdominal organs (peritoneum). Mesothelioma is a very rare type of cancer in which cancer cells invade the mesothelium, the protective cover that covers most internal organs.
What has to do with asbestos mesothelioma?
The only known cause of mesothelioma in the U.S. is previous exposure to asbestos fibers. The asbestos manufacturers knew of the dangers of asbestos seventy years ago – but they kept this knowledge secret. The first warnings of danger which gave the workers were in the mid-1960s, and these warnings were terribly inadequate. Even today, they are not always informs workers that are working around asbestos and are at risk of contracting an asbestos disease.
The mesothelium is composed of two layers of cells: one layer is in contact with the organ, while the latter forms a bag around. The mesothelium produces a lubricating fluid that allows the layers to slide over one another allowing the movements of the body covering (eg, lungs). Depending on their position, the mesothelium get a particular name: the one that surrounds the lungs is called pleura, around the heart called pericardium, which surrounds the testicles is called the tunica vaginalis testis and surrounding the uterus is called uterine serous tunic. Most abdominal organs are covered by peritoneum.