A guide for people with cancer
A Guide For Understanding Mesothelioma
This book let has been prepared to help you understand how mesothelioma is diagnosed and treated. The chapters cover both pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma. As the experience for every person with mesothelioma is different, you need to discuss your treatment options with your doctor.
malignant peritoneal mesothelioma |
However, we hope the information in this booklet will answer some of your questions and help you think about other questions to ask your treatment team. This booklet does not need to be read from cover to cover just read the parts that are useful to you. Some medical terms that may be unfamiliar are explained in the glossary. You may also like to pass this booklet to your family and friends for their information.
What is cancer?
Cancer is a disease of the cells, which are the body’s basic building blocks. The body constantly makes new cells to help us grow, replace worn-out tissue and heal injuries. Normally, cells multiply and die in an orderly way. Sometimes cells don’t grow, divide and die in the usual way. This may cause blood or lymph fluid in the body to become abnormal, or form a lump called a tumour. A tumour can be benign or malignant.
Benign tumour
Cells are confined to one area and are not able to spread to other parts of the body. This is not cancer.
Malignant tumour
This is made up of cancerous cells, which have the ability to spread by travelling through the bloodstream or lymphatic system (lymph fluid).
