What is the difference between lung cancer and mesothelioma?
The most significant difference between lung cancer and mesothelioma is the part of the body in which the disease originates and causes damage. Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that begins in mesothelium, a membrane that leads and protects the organs of the body. In particular, the mesothelium of the lungs is called pleura. On the other hand, lung cancer comes from the lungs themselves, although it can eventually spread to mesothelium. It is common for people to confuse mesotheliomism and lung cancer and use terms interchangeably, even if they work in a quite different way.
There are a number of differences between lung cancer and mesothelioma. For example, lung and mesotheliom cancer are caused by various factors. It is known that mesothelioma develops only from the asbestos exposition, a group of minerals that naturally occur in the environment and were once widely used for isolation. Asbestos fibers are almost invisible and can get stuck in the lungs. If this happens, the fibers can accumulate, which generally leads to the scarring of pleura and development of mesothelioma.
On the other hand, lung cancer can develop from a number of factors, but especially from tobacco smoking. People who smoke cigarettes or other carcinogenic substances are threatened by developing lung cancer, especially if they smoke often and do so many years. Non -smokers can develop lung cancer from a consistent exposure to a second -hand smoke. Those who work in occupations that expose the risk of inhalation of toxins such as mining or factory work also have a chance to develop illness, as well as those who are exposed to heavily polluted air.
In addition, the way in which the form of lung cancer and mesothelioma is different. In the case of lung cancer, more tumors are formed in the lungs, usually as a separate growth. This allows them to be specially focused on removal during treatment, which can be useful in removing malignant growth. On the other hand, tumors of mesothelioma spread among themselves, making it difficult to determine the tissuethat is sick of tissue that is healthy. This complicates the successful removal of malignant tissue.
Mesothelioma and lung cancer are serious and complicated diseases, but lung cancer occurs much more often and affects hundreds of thousands of people every year. On the other hand, mesothelioma is still considered a relatively rare disease and several thousand people are diagnosed each year. Yet both diseases develop for several years and share similar initial symptoms such as wheezing, chest pain and cough for blood. Proper distinction between them requires a thorough examination and diagnosis of a doctor.