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.

Malignant pleural mesothelioma : What everyone should know about this

Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a cancer which arises from the mesothelial cells found within the pleural membranes that cover the lungs. This cancer is one of the rarest in the world. It only manifests in people who are constantly exposed to large amounts of asbestos dust.

Mesothelioma or cancer of the lung lining is different from lung cancer. This lining is called mesothelium and that is the reason why the condition is termed as Mesothelioma. The Mesothelioma life expectancy is much less than that of lung cancer.


The majority of malignant mesotheliomas occur in people who have been exposed to asbestos, either directly or via people they live with. Malignant mesothelioma is relatively uncommon compared to other tumours. Most of the three thousand such cases reported in the United States every year are malignant. Australia has the highest incidence of mesothelioma in the world, at 40 cases per million people. Other industrialised countries which have mined and used asbestos, have similar but slightly lower rates of disease.

Malignant pleural mesothelioma goes through four separate stages. Initially it is restricted to the pleura, the membrane in the thoracic cavity. Next the lymph nodes are affected. In the third stage there would be local spreading of the disease. Finally the cancer penetrates to other parts of the body. Often, death strikes within six to eighteen months of diagnosing the disease depending on the stage at which the problem was identified.

The symptoms of this cancer take a very long time before appearing. Sometimes, it will take as long as twenty to fifty years before you even realize that something is from. And by that time this happens, it will probably be too late for treatment. Depending on the location of the cancer, the outward symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include breathing and swallowing difficulty, loss of weight, constant coughing, chest congestion and pain, spitting blood, and fever. Detailed investigations reveal irregular thickening of pleura and fluid collection, reduced space between the lung lobes, and mineral deposits.

As you can see, most of these symptoms do not seem dangerous at first glance. But you should not ignore them. If your cough doesn’t go away and you can’t stop losing weight then you should have yourself checked by a doctor. Doctors can perform specific diagnostic exams using x-rays and ct scans to check whether or not you are suffering from.