Lung Cancer And Mesothelioma

Although Mesothelioma and lung cancer are related, they are not the same thing. Mesothelioma is a benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous) tumor affecting the lining of the chest or abdomen.  The three types of mesothelioma are:pleural mesothelioma; peritoneal mesothelioma; and pericardial mesothelioma.

Though some mutual risk factors exist for the two diseases, the two maladies do affect different parts of the body in the chest cavity. Survival rates are around zero for mesothelioma (with an average 1 year survival range), while lung cancer sufferers only fare slightly better. The key to having a chance of survival of either types of cancer is prevention and early detection.

Mesothelioma is a benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous) tumor affecting the lining of the chest or abdomen. Exposure to asbestos particles in the air increases the risk of developing malignant mesothelioma. The Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that involves the mesothelium, or cells that line an organ, abdominal organs, usually the lungs, and heart. The most common form of mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma, where the malignant tumors form on the pleura, the sac that lines the chest cavity and protects the lungs. Other forms of mesothelioma affect the peritoneum (abdominal cavity lining) and the pericardium (which is lining around the heart).