What Is the Difference Between Lung Cancer and Mesothelioma?

What Is The Difference Between Lung Cancer And Mesothelioma?

Lung Cancer Vs. Mesothelioma

Many of our clients wonder, "What is the difference between lung cancer and mesothelioma?" The short answer is that while both lung cancer and mesothelioma affect the lungs, they do so in different ways.

Lung cancer generally involves cancerous tumors or masses within the lung itself, while mesothelioma is a disease that affects the cells of the mesothelium. The mesothelium is a membrane that covers and protects the internal organs of the body such as the heart, lungs, kidneys, stomach, liver and pancreas. Mesothelioma can affect various parts of the body. However, the most commonly affected part of the body is the pleura, a sac surrounding the lungs containing the mesothelium. When this part of the body is affected it is called pleural mesothelioma. While pleural mesothelioma is the most common form, there are other types of mesothelioma (while lung cancer is exclusively affecting the lungs) such as:

Peritoneal mesothelioma (a rarer form)
Pericardial mesothelioma (very rare)
Testicular mesothelioma (very rare)

Healthy Tissue And Cancerous Tissue

Another major difference between mesothelioma and lung cancer is how the disease affects healthy cells. Mesothelioma is a diffuse malignancy, meaning the separation between healthy tissue and cancerous tissue is very blurry. This is why mesothelioma is so difficult to treat. Lung cancer generally involves isolated cancerous tumors or masses within the organ, and hence chemotherapy, radiation and surgery (removal of tumors) are more effective, since there are targeting "masses."

However, both lung cancer and mesothelioma share something in common because both can be caused by exposure to asbestos.

Consult with one of our experienced lawyers at our nationwide mesothelioma law firm today to discuss your legal rights.

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St. Louis Area: 618-307-4085 / Nationwide Toll Free: 888-362-6890

The Illinois asbestos lung cancer attorneys at The Gori Law Firm, have handled hundreds of mesothelioma cases and thousands of asbestosis and asbestos lung cancer lawsuits across the country. We have obtained more than $3 billion for previous clients along the way.

For a free case evaluation, please call our law offices directly or contact us online. An experienced Madison County attorney will be available to discuss your specific case.