The key difference between lung cancer and mesothelioma is that lung cancer begins in the lungs, while mesothelioma begins in the thin layer of tissue that covers the majority of internal organs such as the lungs, abdomen, heart, and testicles.
Lung cancer and mesothelioma are two types of cancers that can occur in the lungs. Lung cancer usually develops inside the lung space, while pleural mesothelioma develops on the outer lining of the lungs. Both these cancers should be treated immediately in order to prevent complications.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Lung Cancer
3. What is Mesothelioma
4. Similarities – Lung Cancer and Mesothelioma
5. Lung Cancer vs Mesothelioma in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Lung Cancer vs Mesothelioma
What is Lung Cancer?
Lung cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the lungs. At present, it is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the world. There are two general types of lung cancers: small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. Small cell lung cancer is rare, while non-small cell lung cancer is very common among patients. Non-small cell lung cancer is further divided into squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and large cell carcinoma. The signs and symptoms of lung cancer are coughs that do not get better, coughing up blood, shortness of breath, chest pain, hoarseness, unintentional weight loss, bone pain, and headache.
Figure 01: Lung Cancer
Lung cancer can be caused by cigarette smoking, using tobacco, breathing secondhand smoke, being exposed to carcinogens like asbestos and radon at home or work, and genetic mutations in genes like EGFR or KRAS. The risk factors for lung cancer include smoking, exposure to secondhand smoke, previous radiation therapy, exposure to radon gas, exposure to carcinogens like asbestos, and a family history of lung cancer.
Moreover, lung cancer can be diagnosed through imaging tests (X-ray and CT scan), sputum cytology, and tissue biopsy. Treatment options for lung cancer may include surgery (wedge resection, segmental resection, lobectomy, and pneumonectomy), radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted drug therapy, and immunotherapy.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that originates in the thin layer of tissue that covers the majority of internal organs, such as the lungs, abdomen, heart, and testicles. It is an aggressive and deadly form of cancer type. The signs and symptoms may vary based on the location. Mesothelioma in the lungs may have signs and symptoms such as chest pain, painful coughing, unusual lumps of tissue under the skin of the chest, shortness of breath, and unintentional weight loss.
Mesothelioma in the abdomen may have signs and symptoms such as abdominal pain, abdominal swelling, nausea, and unintentional weight loss. The signs and symptoms of other forms are not clear. Mesothelioma can be caused due to genetic mutations in the BAP1 gene, environmental factors, and lifestyle choices. The risk factors for mesothelioma may include exposure to asbestos, a family history of mesothelioma, and radiation therapy to the chest.
Figure 02: Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is diagnosed through physical examination, imaging testing (X-ray, CT scan, MRI, and PET scan), and biopsy. Furthermore, treatment options for mesothelioma include surgery (to decrease fluid buildup, to remove tissue around the lungs, to remove a lung and the surrounding tissues, and for peritoneal mesothelioma), chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy.
What are the Similarities Between Lung Cancer and Mesothelioma?
- Lung cancer and mesothelioma are two types of cancers that can occur in the lungs.
- Both cancers are aggressive cancers.
- Exposure to asbestos and radiation are risk factors for both cancers.
- Both cancers may have similar symptoms, such as chest pain, unintentional weight loss, etc.
- Both cancers can be diagnosed through imaging tests and tissue biopsy.
- They are treated through surgeries, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.
What is the Difference Between Lung Cancer and Mesothelioma?
Lung cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the lungs, while mesothelioma is a type of cancer that begins in the thin layer of tissue that covers the majority of internal organs such as the lungs, abdomen, heart, and testicles. Thus, this is the key difference between lung cancer and mesothelioma.
Furthermore, lung cancer is caused by cigarette smoking, using tobacco, breathing secondhand smoke, being exposed to carcinogens like asbestos and radon at home or work, and genetic mutations in genes like EGFR or KRAS, while mesothelioma is caused by genetic mutations in BAP1 gene, environmental factors, and lifestyle choices.
The below infographic presents the differences between lung cancer and mesothelioma in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.
Summary – Lung Cancer vs Mesothelioma
Lung cancer and mesothelioma are two types of aggressive cancers that can occur in the lungs. However, mesothelioma can occur in other places as well, such as the abdomen, heart, and testicles. So, this is the key difference between lung cancer and mesothelioma. These cancers can cause complications, so they have to be treated through respective surgeries, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy immediately.
Reference:
1. “Lung Cancer.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.
2. “Mesothelioma.”NHS Choices, NHS.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Diagram showing stage 4 lung cancer CRUK 232” By Cancer Research UK – Original email from CRUK (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Malignant pleural mesothelioma (video assisted thoracoscopic view)” By Wiener – (CC BY 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia