Mesothelioma Lung Cancer
Mesothelioma lung cancer is a direct result of asbestos exposure. Asbestos fibers are known to break easily and float in the air and stick to clothing. When asbestos fibers are inhaled, these fibers can lodge in the lungs, causing extensive damage to the healthy cells and increasing the risk of lung cancer.
People who have been exposed to asbestos such as constructions workers and manufacturing workers have a greater risk of developing lung cancer which is 3 to 4 times greater risk than the workers who have not been exposed to asbestos. There have also been reported incidents of family members of these workers developing mesothelioma lung cancer.
It is believed that the family members developed malignant mesothelioma as a result of the asbestos fibers sticking to the clothing of the workers and then that same clothing being handled by family members. Mesothelioma is a very rare form of lung cancer that arises in the mesothelium. The mesothelium is made up of two layers. The first layer, closest to the body organs, is known as the visceral layer.
The second layer, which is the sac around the body cavities, is known as the parietal layer. The mesothelium surrounds several internal organs and body cavities, such as the peritoneum (the abdomen), the pleura (thoracic cavity) and the pericardium (the sac surrounding the heart). The mesothelium produces a fluid which provides lubrication for movement and helps the organs move easily among the surrounding body structures. For example, in the case of the lungs, it helps reduce friction between the lungs and chest wall during normal breathing as the lungs expands.
Mesothelioma lung cancer is related to asbestos exposure. As with all cancers, abnormal malignant cells begin to divide and replicate without any control. These malignant cells begin to crowd out the healthy cells and can invade surrounding cells, tissue and organs.
Cancer cells can also break away from a malignant tumor and enter the bloodstream or lymphatic system (the tissues and organs that produce, store, and carry white blood cells that fight infection and other diseases). This process, called metastasis is how cancer spreads from the original (primary) tumor to form new (secondary) tumors in other parts of the body.
Mesothelioma lung cancer is a rare and deadly type of lung cancer. Immediate treatment is recommended to prolong the life span and to improve the quality of life for both the patient and their family.