Mesothelioma

What is mesothelioma

Mesothelioma (cancer of the mesothelium) is a disease in which cells of the mesothelium become abnormal and divide without control or order.They can invade and destroy nearby tissues and organs.

Cancer cells can also metastasize (spread) from their original site to other parts of the body.

Most cases of mesothelioma begin in the pleura or peritoneum.

What is the mesothelium

The mesothelium has different names, depending on its location in the body. The peritoneum is the mesothelial tissue that covers most of the organs in the abdominal cavity.The pleura is the membrane that surrounds the lungs and lines the wall of the chest cavity. The pericardium covers and protects the heart.

What are the symptoms

These symptoms may be caused by mesothelioma or by other, less serious conditions.It is important to see a doctor about any of these symptoms.Only a doctor can make a diagnosis.

How common is mesothelioma

Although reported incidence rates have increased in the past 20 years, mesothelioma is still a relatively rare cancer. About 2,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in the United States each year. Mesothelioma occurs more often in men than in women and risk increases with age, but this disease can appear in either men or women at any age