What is mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the lungs and the abdomen. It is a cancer of the mesothelial cells which cover the outer surface of most of our internal organs. The cells form a lining that is sometimes called the mesothelium. This is where the cancer gets it's names. Mesothelioma can develop in the tissues covering the lungs and abdomen.

Mesothelioma in the chest

The tissues lining (or covering) the lungs are called the pleura. Mesothelioma is most often diagnosed in the pleura. This is known as pleural mesothelioma.

About two thirds or three quarters of mesotheliomas occur in the chest (67 to 75%). They start in the two sheets of tissue known as pleural membranes (or pleura) that cover the lungs. The gap between the pleura is called the pleural space.

The pleura are fibrous sheets that help to protect the lungs. They also produce a lubricating fluid that helps the pleural membranes to slide over each other easily when the lungs expand and deflate as we breathe. Mesothelioma of the pleura is called pleural mesothelioma.

The sheet of tissue covering the heart (the pericardium) is very close to the pleura. So in some people pleural mesothelioma may also spread into the pericardium.

Mesothelioma in the abdomen

The tissue lining the abdomen is called the peritoneum. Mesothelioma that develops in this tissue is known as peritoneal mesothelioma. This type of cancer is much less common than pleural mesothelioma.

The sheet of tissue covering the organs of the abdomen (tummy) is called the peritoneum. It helps to protect the contents of the abdomen and keep them in place. It also produces a lubricating fluid. The fluid helps the abdominal organs to move smoothly against each other as we move around.

Mesothelioma of the tissues lining the abdominal cavity is known as peritoneal mesothelioma. Between a quarter and a third of mesotheliomas occur in the abdomen (25 to 33%). So it is much less common than pleural mesothelioma. Peritoneal mesothelioma does not usually spread to other parts of the body.

It is unusual for mesothelioma to spread to other parts of the body. But if it does, it does not usually cause troublesome symptoms.

Mesothelioma risks and causes

Mesothelioma is quite a rare cancer, but it is becoming more common. In the UK mesothelioma is much more common in men than women, mainly because it is caused by exposure to asbestos.

Asbestos

The main cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. Between 7 and 8 out of every 10 people diagnosed with mesothelioma say they have been in contact with asbestos.

Your risk of contracting mesothelioma is greater if you were exposed to large amounts of it from an early age for a very long period of time. But some people say they have no history of any heavy exposure to asbestos.

How asbestos causes mesothelioma

Asbestos is made up of tiny fibres. You can breathe these fibres in when you come into contact with asbestos. The fibres work their way into the pleura, lining the lung.

They irritate the pleura and may cause gene changes (mutations) that lead to the growth of cancer. Some of the fibres that have been breathed in can be coughed up and swallowed. This is probably the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma.

If you have been exposed to asbestos, your family may also have been exposed. Asbestos fibres can be carried home on your clothes. Research studies have confirmed that the families of people exposed to asbestos also have a higher risk of developing mesothelioma.

If you have been exposed to asbestos and would like further information please contact a member of our mesothelioma and asbestos team on freephone 0800 358 3848 or email personalinjury@ffw.com