What is Mesothelioma (and How Do You Pronounce It!)?
According to Dictionary.com, mesothelioma is pronounced mez-uh-thee-lee-oh-muh. It’s still a little tricky to say, even when you see it broken down! And, this $64 word carries an even pricier definition.
“A malignant [cancerous] tumor of the covering of the lung or the lining of the pleural and abdominal cavities often associated with exposure to asbestos.”
To put it simply, inhaling asbestos dust for extended periods of time can lead to cancer in the lungs and/or abdomen.
The mesothelioma, specifically, is a membrane that covers and protects most of your internal organs. It has two layers: the inner layer immediately surrounds the organ, while the second, or outer, layer forms a sac around it. It would be similar to wrapping a chicken breast in plastic wrap and then putting that in a zip-top bag.
By: Patricia Woloch
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