The
malignant mesothelioma is a cancer of the mesothelium. The mesothelium is a form of a bag containing smaller bags (the pleura, peritoneum, pericardium).
Peritoneal mesothelioma attacks the membrane covering the abdomen and pericardial mesothelioma, the membrane protects the heart. The
malignant pleural mesothelioma, the most common mesothelioma develops in the pleura.
The pleura is the part of the mesothelium that surrounds the lungs. The outer wall of the pleura is glued to the thorax and the inner wall and lungs. The space between the walls is filled with a liquid. The fluid makes the friction of the two walls during respiration.
The main cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos fibers. It particularly affects workers who have inhaled asbestos dust.
Early symptoms may not occur until twenty to forty years after exposure. The increase in cancer cells leads to pressure on the lungs. The main symptoms are pain on the side and breathing hard. When the peritoneum is reached, a fluid buildup contributes to swelling of the abdomen.
The manufacture or importation of materials containing asbestos are banned in several countries, including France since 1996. Canada, especially Quebec, continues to mine asbestos.
13 juillet 2010
| The text above is for information purposes only. Only a doctor can diagnose a disease. No treatment (medication or scheme) should be undertaken without consulting a health professional. |