WHAT IS MALIGNANT MESOTHELIOMA ?
Malignant mesothelioma is a cancer that starts in cells in the linings of certain parts of the body, very easily in the chest or abdomen.
A layer of specialized cells called mesothelial cells lines the inside of the chest in human body , the abdomen, and the space around our heart. These cells also cover the outer surface of most of our internal parts . The lining formed by these cells is called as mesothelium.
The mesothelium helps protect our parts by making a special lubricating fluid that allows parts in our body to move around. For example, this fluid makes it easier for the lungs to move inside the chest during breathing in every human . The mesothelium has different names in different parts of the body:
· in the chest it is called the pleura.
· In the abdomen it is called the peritoneum.
· In the space around the heart it is called the pericardium.