Cellular Makeup

The human body consists of four essential types of tissue: the epithelium, connective tissues, muscle tissues and nervous tissue. Each type of tissue consists of hundreds of thousands of cells with various purposes. The cells that become mesothelioma are those that are part of the epithelium.

The epithelium is the tissue that lines the entire body. This includes internal organs and the cavities of the chest and abdomen. The cells that make up the epithelium are known as epithelial cells.

However, many types of cancer can develop from these cells, which contributes to the difficulty diagnosing mesothelioma. Cancers of epithelial cells are known as carcinomas and make up 85% of all cancers.

The epithelial tissues that specifically line the heart, stomach and lungs are known as the mesothelium. This permeable tissue is made up of flat-squamous epithelial cells, or mesothelial cells, whose purpose is to lubricate the layers of the mesothelium. This allows the organs lined by this tissue to expand and contract normally.

Epithelial cells also play an important role in phagocytosis. This is the process by which certain cells encapsulate bacteria, dead cells or foreign particles. This is an immune response to protect the body.

However, when asbestos fibers are phagocytized, the result is the genetic mutation of the epithelial cells.