In the United Kingdom almost 2000 people a
year are diagnosed with mesothelioma. It
is also known as ‘diffuse’ or
‘malignant’ mesothelioma. Mesothelioma
is a form of cancer that affects the
Mesothelium, which is a thin membrane that
lines the inner surface of the chest wall
where it is known as the pleura, and
abdomen, where it is known as the
peritoneum. It also surrounds the organs
found within these cavities for example
the heart, lung and intestines. It is far
more common to have mesothelioma in the
chest than in the abdomen, there is
approximately 1 case of peritoneal
mesothelioma to every 12 cases of pleural
mesothelioma.
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.
For more information
http://info-meso
thelioma.tripod.com/indext.html
