What is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a cancer of the mesothelium. Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer (malignancy) that most frequently arises from the cells lining the sacs of the chest (The pleura- The pleura is the membrane that surrounds the lungs and lines the wall of the chest cavity.) or the abdomen (The Peritoneum – The peritoneum is the mesothelial tissue that covers most of the organs in the abdominal cavity.). Mesothelioma is a disease in which cells of the mesothelium become abnormal and divide without control or order. They can invade and damage nearby tissues and organs.

What is the Mesothelium?

The mesothelium is a membrane that covers and protects most of the internal organs of the body. It is composed of two layers of cells: One layer immediately surrounds the organ; the other forms a sac around it. The mesothelium produces a lubricating fluid that is released between these layers, allowing moving organs (such as the beating heart and the expanding and contracting lungs) to glide easily against adjacent structures.
The mesothelial tissue surrounding the male internal reproductive organs is called the tunica vaginalis testis. The tunica serosa uteri covers the internal reproductive organs in women.

Tags: Asbestos Mesothelioma Cancer, Mesothelioma, Mesothelioma Cancer, Mesothelioma Information

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