Mesothelioma Explained

Mesothelioma is an extraordinarily rare form of cancer. The term is used to describe a cancerous tumour affecting the mesothelial cells of an organ and thus the name “Mesothelioma” is used. In most of the recorded cases, mesothelioma affects the lungs or abdominal organs. There are two main types of mesothelioma, namely pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma. Both types of mesothelioma are vastly different and are explained in brief below.

Pleural Mesothelioma
The first and most common type of mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma affects the lungs by disabling the pleura, a thin membrane found between the lungs and the chest cavity. The pleura lubricates the surface between the lung and the chest cavity to avoid the lung from rubbing against the chest walls. Pleural mesothelioma if often referred to as “lung” cancer regardless of the fact that it is a form mesothelioma.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma
The second type of mesothelioma is peritoneal mesothelioma. Peritoneal mesothelioma affects the membrane that encloses the organs of the abdomen called the peritoneum. Peritoneal mesothelioma is highly uncommon but can be very invasive, meaning a shorter life expectancy for patients diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma. Mesothelioma has also been found in the stomach and other abdominal organs but is far less occurring than both pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma.