Asbestos Lung Diagram

This image details the anatomy of the lung, and specifically highlights the lining of the lungs, known as the pleura, where pleural mesothelioma develops. Pleural mesothelioma is the most common form of the cancer and develops when the mesothelial cells that line the pleura become cancerous and divide uncontrollably. This causes thickening of the pleura, fluid build-up and the formation of tumors which can cause a patient to experience difficulty breathing and chest pains, among other symptoms. This image, along with additional information about pleural mesothelioma and other forms of the cancer, may be found on the Mesothelioma Overview page.