What is cancer?

The organs and tissues of the body are made up of tiny building blocks called cells. Cells in different parts of the body may look and work differently but most reproduce themselves in the same way. Cells are constantly becoming old and dying, and new cells are produced to replace them. Normally, the division and growth of cells is orderly and controlled but if this process gets out of control for some reason, the cells will continue to divide and develop into a lump which is called a tumour. Tumours can either be benign or malignant. Cancer is the name given to a malignant tumour.
In a benign tumour the cells do not spread to other parts of the body and so are not cancerous. However, if they continue to grow at the original site, they may cause a problem by pressing on the surrounding organs.
It is important to realise that cancer is not a single disease with a single type of treatment. There are more than 200 different kinds of cancer, each with its own name and treatment.

In this section of the website, you can find mesothelioma information and answers to questions like:
What is mesothelioma?
What causes mesothelioma?
How is mesothelioma diagnosed?
What are the stages of mesothelioma?
What are the treatments for mesothelioma?
What kinds of mesothelioma research are being conducted?
This site has gathered mesothelioma information from many of the leading resources on the disease to help you learn about this cancer. You and your family are likely focused on treatment options, care giving decisions, and enjoying your time together. A one-stop resource for mesothelioma information may help save you valuable time.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed, you may wish to read all the mesothelioma information you can find.