MESOTHELIOMA
Mesothelioma: Questions and Answers
Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer in which malignant (cancerous)
cells are found in the mesothelium, a protective sac that covers
most of the body's internal organs. Most people who develop
mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos
particles.
1. 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 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.
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.
2. 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 damage 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.
3. 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.
Your Legal Rights
If you or someone you know is suffering from lung cancer and/or
lung disease asbestosis, mesothelioma or other asbestos related
diseases caused by asbestos or asbestos containing products,
you may be eligible to file a claim.
CLICK
HERE TO CONTACT THE TOXIC INJURY LAWYERS NOW FOR A FREE CASE
EVALUATION, OR CALL US AT (732) 855-6182.
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