According to the National Cancer Institute, mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to detect,and is thought to originate from asbestos fiber exposure.The mesothelium is a protective membrane covering most internal organs in the body and creates a lubricating fluid to allow movement of the organs without causing rupture. Mesothelioma cancer causes abnormal cell division in the mesothelium, which hinders the protective process and ultimately leads to damage of the tissues and organs once protected by the membrane. Mesothelioma spreads from its original site of impact to other parts of the body during disease progression. People with this form of cancer suffer significant effects physically during different stages of the disease and depending on the location of the disease in the body.
Chest and Lung Lining
The initial stages of mesothelioma affect the pleural lining of the lungs and chest cavity, according to the Cleveland Clinic. This form of mesothelioma is the most researched and understood. At this point the mesothelioma cancer is localized however, depending on progression of the disease after diagnosis, the cancer can spread to more than one place in the chest area. The pleura is the name of the membrane surrounding the chest and lungs and, once infiltrated, can have symptoms of unexplained weight loss, shortness of breath and increased fluid build up between the lungs and chest causing chest pain. The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation further explains that pleural mesothelioma comprises 80 percent of cases, with the fluid eventually spreading to the pericardial or heart area.
Abdominal Wall and Pelvic Cavity
Peritoneal mesothelioma is less understood but it is speculated that advanced stages of the cancer affect the abdomen and pelvic cavity. According to the Mayo Clinic, abdominal tissues are exposed to the asbestos fibers that originally lodged in the pleura. However, it is less known how the fibers migrate to the abdomen. Fluid accumulation in the abdomen causing pain, increased abdominal mass and digestive disturbance is a common effect of peritoneal mesothelioma. Additionally, a change in bowel habits such as constipation or increased diarrhea may occur as well as unexplained weight loss, fever and elevated white blood cells. In rarer cases, a tumor or mass on the testicles develop.
Spread to Other Organs
Metastasizing or the spread of mesothelioma cancer from the lung lining to additional organs is rare according to the Mayo Clinic, however, when this does happen the pericardium or heart is typically impacted. Inflammation around the heart, bleeding into the pericardium and fluid accumulation continues during spread of the cancer. Surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy are all treatments used to prolong life at any stage of mesothelioma diagnosis, however, there is currently no cure. Mesothelioma spreads to the other organs through the blood, tissues or lymph system.
