The mesothelium is a membrane that covers and protects most of the internal organs of the body. It is composed of two layers of cells: One layer immediately surrounds the organ; the other forms a sac around it. The mesothelium produces a lubricating fluid that is released between these layers, allowing moving organs (such as the beating heart and the expanding and contracting lungs) to glide easily against adjacent structures.
The mesothelium has different names, depending on its location in the body. The peritoneum is the mesothelial tissue that covers most of the organs in the abdominal cavity. The pleura is the membrane that surrounds the lungs and lines the wall of the chest cavity. The pericardium covers and protects the heart. The mesothelial tissue surrounding the male internal reproductive organs is called the tunica vaginalis testis. The tunica serosa uteri covers the internal reproductive organs in women.
Definitions of pleural mesothelioma on the Web:
References:
- Ruffie P, Feld R, Minkin S, et al.: Diffuse malignant mesothelioma of the pleura in Ontario and Quebec: a retrospective study of 332 patients. Journal of Clinical Oncology 7(8): 1157-1168, 1989.
- Tammilehto L, Maasilta P, Kostiainen S, et al.: Diagnosis and prognostic factors in malignant pleural mesothelioma: a retrospective analysis of sixty-five patients. Respiration 59: 129-135, 1992.
- Sugarbaker DJ, Strauss GM, Lynch TJ, et al.: Node status has prognostic significance in the multimodality therapy of diffuse, malignant mesothelioma. Journal of Clinical Oncology 11(6): 1172-1178, 1993.
- Sugarbaker D, Harpole D, Healey E, et al.: Multimodality treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM): results in 94 consecutive patients. Proceedings of the American Society of Clinical Oncology 14: A-1083, 356, 1995.
- Chailleux E, Dabouis G, Pioche D, et al.: Prognostic factors in diffuse malignant pleural mesothelioma: a study of 167 patients. Chest 93(1): 159-162, 1988.
- Adams VI, Unni KK, Muhm JR, et al.: Diffuse malignant mesothelioma of pleura: diagnosis and survival in 92 cases. Cancer 58(7): 1540-1551, 1986.
What is mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is almost always caused by previous exposure to asbestos. In this disease, malignant cells develop in the mesothelium, a protective lining that covers most of the body's internal organs. Its most common site is the pleura (outer lining of the lungs and chest cavity), but it may also occur in the peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity) or the pericardium (a sac that surrounds the heart).
Mesothelioma (cancer of the mesothelium) is a disease in which cells of the mesothelium become abnormal and divide without control or order. They can invade and damage nearby tissues and organs. Cancer cells can also metastasize (spread) from their original site to other parts of the body. Most cases of mesothelioma begin in the pleura or peritoneum.
Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles, or they have been exposed to asbestos dust and fibre in other ways, such as by washing the clothes of a family member who worked with asbestos. Unlike lung cancer, there is no association between mesothelioma and smoking.[1] Compensation via asbestos funds or lawsuits is an important issue in mesothelioma (see asbestos and the law).
The symptoms of mesothelioma include shortness of breath due to pleural effusion (fluid between the lung and the chest wall) or chest wall pain, and general symptoms such as weight loss. The diagnosis can be made with chest X-rays and a CT scan, and confirmed with a biopsy (tissue sample) and microscopic examination. A thoracoscopy (inserting a tube with a camera into the chest) can be used to take biopsies. It allows the introduction of substances such as talc to obliterate the pleural space (called pleurodesis), which prevents more fluid from accumulating and pressing on the lung. Despite treatment with chemotherapy, radiation therapy or sometimes surgery, the disease carries a poor prognosis. Research about screening tests for the early detection of mesothelioma is ongoing.
Definitions of mesothelioma on the Web:
- a form of cancer linked to asbestos exposure that occurs in the sac lining of the chest (pleural mesothelioma) or abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma ...
www.belluckfox.com/mesothelioma/mesothelioma_glossary.html - a tumor of the mesothelium, that can be benign (localized) or malignant (diffusely spread), and that is most commonly caused by the ingestion of asbestos particles.
www.mesotheliomacancerfile.org/mesothelioma_glossary.htm - Mesothelioma is a cancer of the cells that make up the lining around the outside of the lungs and inside of the ribs (pleura), or around the abdominal organs (peritoneum). It is usually fatal.
www.brooks-law.com/CM/Custom/Definitions.asp - Malignant mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer, is a disease in which cancer (malignant) cells are found in the sac lining the chest (the pleura) or abdomen (the peritoneum). Most people with malignant mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they breathed a
www.texascancerclinic.com/cancerinfo/glossary.cfm - A type of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos.
www.larrycurtislawfirm.com/dictionary.php - (mez-uh-thee-lee-YOH-muh) — A tumor in the lining of the chest or abdomen (stomach area).
www.cdc.gov/cancer/lung/glossary/ - "A rare cancer that occurs in the thin layer of tissue that covers the majority of your internal organs (mesothelium)." (Mayo Clinic, 2007)
www.csa.com/discoveryguides/asbestos/gloss.php - A cancer most often caused by exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma is a deadly medical condition in which cells mutate to form cancers on the mesothelium (most often of the lungs.
www.asbestos.com/glossary/m.php - A kind of cancer that originates in the pleura, that is, the layer of cells that line the outer surface of the lung. This cancer is usually considered a tumor of the pleura and not a type of lung cancer.
www.healthtalk.com/lungcancer/diseasebasics07.cfm - Cancer involving the pleura (the membranes that cover the lungs).
www.johnshopkinshealthalerts.com/reports/lung_disorders/927-1.html - Malignant spreading tumour of the mesothelium of the pleura, pericardium, or peritoneum, arising as a result of the presence of asbestos fibres. ...
www.work.med.ed.ac.uk/hew/tox/glossall.html - a cancer of the lining of the lungs, chest and stomach caused by inhalation of asbestos dust and fibers or asbestos exposure
www.mesoblog.org/mesothelioma-glossary.php - A cancer of cells similar to those forming the lining of the lungs, heart, the abdominal cavity and its organs.
www.dva.gov.au/health/hlthstdy/validation/glossary.htm - A cancer in the tissue lining of certain organs, including the heart and lung, that may be attributed to long-term inhalation of asbestos.
www.lung.com/dictionary/lung_larynx-ozone.php - A malignant tumor covering the lining of the lung and often associated with asbestos exposure.
www.mesothelioma-treatment-2day.com/Mesothelioma_Medical_Terms.html - A malignant tumor of mesothelium caused by the inhalation of asbestos
quizlet.com/print/15664/ - a tumor or tumors affecting the lining of the chest or abdomen. Most cases of mesothelioma are malignant, and are caused by exposure to asbestos. A small number of cases of mesothelioma are benign, or non-cancerous. (See also malignant mesothelioma),
mesotheliomaattorneyalliance.com/about-mesothelioma/glossary.htm - A tumor in the lining of the lungs. Mesothelioma is linked almost exclusively to asbestos exposure.
www.lungcancersurvival.info/a-lung-cancer-glossary-d.php - A rare cancer, usually found in those exposed to asbestos, in the form of a malignant tumor in the mesothelium of the lungs and or abdomen. Symptoms of this incurable disease are persistent coughing or coughing of blood, chest or abdomen pain, fatigue, and weight loss.
www.mesotheliomalawyersfyi.com/glossary.html - A rare tumor which develops within the thin protective lining between organs
treatingmesothelioma.org/ - a form of carcinoma of the mesothelium lining lungs or abdomen or heart; usually associated with exposure to asbestos dust
wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn - Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is almost always caused by previous exposure to asbestos.United States Department of Health and Human Services. In this disease, malignant cells develop in the mesothelium, a protective lining that covers most of the body's internal organs. ...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesothelioma - An uncommon malignant tumour of the mesothelium, usually of the lungs after exposure to asbestos
en.wiktionary.org/wiki/mesothelioma - a cancer located in the stomach lining.
www.asbestosmedicalinformation.com/Asbestos_Lung_Cancer.php - malignant mesothelioma that affects the tissue surrounding the organs in the abdomen. This can cause weight loss and abdominal pain and swelling due to a buildup of fluid in the abdomen.
mesotheliomaattorneyalliance.com/about-mesothelioma/glossary.htm - Cancer of the lining that surrounds the abdominal cavity.
www.mesotheliomanews.com/medical/medical-glossary/ - a type of mesothelioma that develops in the membranous lining of the abdomen. Around 25% of all cases of mesothelioma are peritoneal.
www.asbestos.com/glossary/p.php - Cancer of the cells that comprise the lining around the lungs, pleura, peritoneum, or other areas of the body.
about-mesothelioma-injury.org/mesothelioma-glossary.php - (meh-zuh-thee-lee-OH-muh) A malignant (cancerous) tumor affecting the lining of the abdomen. Exposure to asbestos particles in the air leads to the development of malignant mesothelioma.
www.toverdict.com/CM/Custom/Cancer-Dictionary-P.asp - A rare form of mesothelioma which develops within the chest/abdominal cavity's mesothelium.
treatingmesothelioma.org/
Signs and symptoms
Symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until 20 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos. Shortness of breath, cough, and pain in the chest due to an accumulation of fluid in the pleural space are often symptoms of pleural mesothelioma.
Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include weight loss and cachexia, abdominal swelling and pain due to ascites (a buildup of fluid in the abdominal cavity). Other symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma may include bowel obstruction, blood clotting abnormalities, anemia, and fever. If the cancer has spread beyond the mesothelium to other parts of the body, symptoms may include pain, trouble swallowing, or swelling of the neck or face.
These symptoms may be caused by mesothelioma or by other, less serious conditions.
Mesothelioma that affects the pleura can cause these signs and symptoms:
- chest wall pain
- pleural effusion, or fluid surrounding the lung
- shortness of breath
- fatigue or anemia
- wheezing, hoarseness, or cough
- blood in the sputum (fluid) coughed up (hemoptysis)
- In severe cases, the person may have many tumor masses. The individual may develop a pneumothorax, or collapse of the lung. The disease may metastasize, or spread, to other parts of the body.
Tumors that affect the abdominal cavity often do not cause symptoms until they are at a late stage. Symptoms include:
- abdominal pain
- ascites, or an abnormal buildup of fluid in the abdomen
- a mass in the abdomen
- problems with bowel function
- weight loss
In severe cases of the disease, the following signs and symptoms may be present:
- blood clots in the veins, which may cause thrombophlebitis
- disseminated intravascular coagulation, a disorder causing severe bleeding in many body organs
- jaundice, or yellowing of the eyes and skin
- low blood sugar level
- pleural effusion
- pulmonary emboli, or blood clots in the arteries of the lungs
- severe ascites
A mesothelioma does not usually spread to the bone, brain, or adrenal glands. Pleural tumors are usually found only on one side of the lungs.
What are the risk factors for mesothelioma?
Working with asbestos is the major risk factor for mesothelioma. A history of asbestos exposure at work is reported in about 70 percent to 80 percent of all cases. However, mesothelioma has been reported in some individuals without any known exposure to asbestos.
Asbestos is the name of a group of minerals that occur naturally as masses of strong, flexible fibers that can be separated into thin threads and woven. Asbestos has been widely used in many industrial products, including cement, brake linings, roof shingles, flooring products, textiles, and insulation. If tiny asbestos particles float in the air, especially during the manufacturing process, they may be inhaled or swallowed, and can cause serious health problems. In addition to mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos increases the risk of lung cancer, asbestosis (a noncancerous, chronic lung ailment), and other cancers, such as those of the larynx and kidney.
Smoking does not appear to increase the risk of mesothelioma. However, the combination of smoking and asbestos exposure significantly increases a person's risk of developing cancer of the air passageways in the lung.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing mesothelioma is often difficult, because the symptoms are similar to those of a number of other conditions. Diagnosis begins with a review of the patient's medical history. A history of exposure to asbestos may increase clinical suspicion for mesothelioma. A physical examination is performed, followed by chest X-ray and often lung function tests. The X-ray may reveal pleural thickening commonly seen after asbestos exposure and increases suspicion of mesothelioma. A CT (or CAT) scan or an MRI is usually performed. If a large amount of fluid is present, abnormal cells may be detected by cytology if this fluid is aspirated with a syringe. For pleural fluid this is done by a pleural tap or chest drain, in ascites with an paracentesis or ascitic drain and in a pericardial effusion with pericardiocentesis. While absence of malignant cells on cytology does not completely exclude mesothelioma, it makes it much more unlikely, especially if an alternative diagnosis can be made (e.g. tuberculosis, heart failure).
If cytology is positive or a plaque is regarded as suspicious, a biopsy is needed to confirm a diagnosis of mesothelioma. A doctor removes a sample of tissue for examination under a microscope by a pathologist. A biopsy may be done in different ways, depending on where the abnormal area is located. If the cancer is in the chest, the doctor may perform a thoracoscopy. In this procedure, the doctor makes a small cut through the chest wall and puts a thin, lighted tube called a thoracoscope into the chest between two ribs. Thoracoscopy allows the doctor to look inside the chest and obtain tissue samples.
If the cancer is in the abdomen, the doctor may perform a laparoscopy. To obtain tissue for examination, the doctor makes a small opening in the abdomen and inserts a special instrument into the abdominal cavity. If these procedures do not yield enough tissue, more extensive diagnostic surgery may be necessary.
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