| Mesothelioma is a cancer of the mesothelium-the | | | | from rock found in many countries. It is made up |
| sac lining the internal body cavities. The lining | | | | of tiny fibres that are as strong as steel but can |
| around the lungs is called the pleural and in the | | | | be woven like cotton and are highly resistant to |
| abdomen it is known as the peritoneum.Although | | | | heat and chemicals. |
| sometimes referred to as "asbestos lung cancer", | | | | During the 1960s the first definite link between |
| mesothelioma is not the same as lung cancer. | | | | mesothelioma and asbestos was made. In the |
| Lung cancers occur inside the lung itself; | | | | past asbestos was imported to the UK in large |
| mesothelioma occurs in the lining of the lung. | | | | quantities. It was used in construction, ship-building |
| Mesothelioma is rare, striking fewer than 3000 | | | | and in household appliances. Asbestos was very |
| Americans per year.About 2000 people in the UK | | | | widely used in insulation materials, such as amosite |
| are diagnosed with mesothelioma each year. | | | | insulation board, and building materials, including |
| There are three recognized types of | | | | asbestos cement. |
| mesothelioma. | | | | When asbestos is disturbed or damaged, it |
| 1.Pleural mesothelioma | | | | releases tiny fibres that can be breathed into the |
| 2.Peritonial mesothelioma | | | | lungs. Asbestos fibres are very fine and, when |
| 3.Pericardial mesothelioma | | | | breathed in, they can make their way into the |
| Pleural mesothelioma is the most common form | | | | smallest airways of the lung, so they cannot be |
| of the disease, accounting for roughly 70% of | | | | breathed or coughed out. Once the fibres are in |
| cases, and occurs in the lining of the lung known | | | | the lungs, the body's defense mechanism tries to |
| as the pleura. Peritoneal mesothelioma occurs in | | | | break them down and remove them, which leads |
| the lining of the abdominal cavity, known as the | | | | to inflammation in the lung tissue. |
| peritoneum and pericardial mesothelioma originates | | | | The asbestos fibres can also penetrate through |
| in the pericardium, which lines the heart. | | | | the lung tissue to settle in the pleura (the |
| Asbestos is the most common cause of | | | | membrane around the lung). Over many years |
| mesothelioma. Up to nine out of ten cases of | | | | they can cause mesothelioma or other lung |
| mesothelioma are caused by exposure to | | | | diseases to develop. |
| asbestos. Asbestos is a natural mineral, mined | | | | |