What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer. It develops in the lining tissues of the body. It is most often diagnosed in the tissues covering the lungs. But it can start in the tissues lining the abdominal cavity (peritoneal mesothelioma).
These lining tissues are sometimes called the mesothelium. This is where the cancer, mesothelioma gets its name.
The tissues lining (or covering) the lungs are called the pleura. There are 2 pleura. These can be called pleural membranes. The gap between them is called the pleural space. The pleura are fibrous sheets. They help to protect the lungs. They produce a lubricating fluid that fills the gap between the 2 pleura. This helps the lungs to move smoothly in the chest when they are inflating and deflating as we breathe.
The tissue lining the abdomen is called the peritoneum. It helps to protect the contents of the abdomen. It also produces a lubricating fluid. This helps the organs to move smoothly inside the abdomen as we move around.
It is unusual for mesothelioma to spread to other parts of the body. But if it does, it does not usually cause troublesome symptoms.
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