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Can mesothelioma cause lung cancer?
The relationship between mesothelioma and lung cancer can be difficult to understand. The former is a cancer that forms on the mesothelium, the membrane that lines the lungs and abdomen. It’s not the same thing as lung cancer—but it can spread to the lungs, and both cancers can be caused by the same toxin.
Mesothelioma is almost always caused by asbestos, and like all cancers, it can metastasize. In this process, pieces or cells of the original tumors break off and spread to another part of the body, where they start to grow into new tumors. Metastasis typically begins in areas of the body close to where the cancer started. It is common for cancer that begins in the lining of the lungs to spread to the lung tissue itself. But in metastasis, the new tumors retain the same cell type as the original tumor, making it possible for doctors to identify where the disease began. Thus mesothelioma that spreads to the lungs would not be considered “lung cancer.”
Can mesothelioma cause lung cancer?
Asbestos can also cause lung cancer. It’s common for the fibers to end up in the lungs and damage the cells there. Lung cancer is much more common than mesothelioma; although most cases of lung cancer are caused by smoking, there are still 6 times more deaths caused by asbestos-related lung cancer than by mesothelioma. In both cases, cancer may develop only after a long latency period of 10 to 50 years after initial exposure to the carcinogen.
Can mesothelioma cause lung cancer?
If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with Mesothelioma or Lung Cancer resulting from asbestos exposure, you have important legal rights and may be entitled to a cash settlement. Please call us today to get the facts. Toll Free 1-866-777-2557 or fill our online contact form and a lawyer will get back to you within 24 hours to answer your questions. Operators are standing by. We want to help you, so please make the call today.
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