Difference Between Lung Cancer and Mesothelioma

Many people ask this question, to which the answer is both simple and complex. Mesothelioma is often talked about as though it is a form of lung cancer. It is not. Mesothelioma is a cancer of the mesothelium, the lining or membrane, around an organ, such as a lung, abdomen, or the heart. Mesothelioma is a diffuse malignancy. It invades a tissue area as a large number of interlocked tumors and the boundaries between malignant tissue and healthy tissue are blurred and, eventually, dissolved. This is the primary reason that mesothelioma remains so difficult to treat. The large extent of malignant tissue makes complete surgical resection very difficult.

While lung cancer works differently. It arises within the lungs themselves and is characterized by individualized tumor masses. Even for people with multiple masses, the tumors generally possess clear boundaries. The tumors can grow quite large and in its late stages and most aggressive forms,  Lung cancer involves the lung tissue and airways, which is contained entirely within the pleural lining and does not involve the pleura. Where other organs are involved the mesothelial lining has other names, such as peritoneum for the mesothelial lining of the peritoneum (abdominal cavity), and pericardium for the lining around the heart. Lung cancer is just as deadly as mesothelioma. However, it is much more amenable to treatment than mesothelioma is.

There are other differences between lung cancer and mesothelioma as well. While asbestos exposure is a causative factor for both disorders, it is the only known cause of mesothelioma while lung cancer can be caused by other agents—including cigarette smoking.

So the differences is clear now. Mesothelioma is a cancer that occurs in this lining. It is caused by asbestos being inhaled into the lungs. From their, the asbestos fibers are absorbed into the body. How exactly they get into the mesothelium is unknown, but they clearly due. Mesothelioma can spread throughout the entire body core or remain in a particular area. If caught very early, treatment options exist. If caught late, it is rarely survived.

So, how do Mesothelioma and lung cancer get confused when it comes to asbestos exposure? Well, Mesothelioma often occurs in the mesothelium lining around the lungs. Although not technically lung cancer, once can see how the two would get confused. Still, it is important to remember that each is unique and calls for different treatments.

3 Types of Asbestos Lung Disease

The chances of asbestos lung disease were raised by 700% compared to people who are not exposed theasbestos. An increasing number of people are found to be afflicted with lung cancer in the recent years. A careful look shows that many of these lung diseases that people have are directly related to asbestos.

There are 3 main types of asbestos-related lung illness. The first is Asbestosis, second is disease in the lung lining (pleura) and the third one is the lung cancer. We will differentiate these three types of lung diseases. Asbestosis is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects the tissue of the lungs caused by inhalation and severe exposure of asbestos. In short, is a widespread scarring in the lungs.

The second type of lung disorder caused by asbestos is the disease on the lung lining or in medical terms, it is called pleura. This disease shows signs and symptoms resulting in the hardening or thickening of the tissue lining.

The last is the lung cancer which is either located in the internal portion of the lungs or the outer lining (pleura).