MesoRC: Mesothelioma Resource Center

Mesothelioma Information
• What is mesothelioma?
• Mesothelioma medical glossary
• Mesothelioma causes
• Mesothelioma types
• Mesothelioma symptoms
• Mesothelioma risk factors
• Worldwide exposure
• Mesothelioma awareness

Mesothelioma Diagnosis and Treatment
• Diagnosed with mesothelioma
• Mesothelioma stages
• Mesothelioma research
• Mesothelioma treatment
• Mesothelioma clinical trials
• Mesothelioma doctors & healthcare professionals
• Importance of seeing a specialist
• Communicating with your doctor
• Mesothelioma treatment centers
• Choosing a treatment center
• Mesothelioma pain & management
• Diet & nutrition tips
• Exercise & mesothelioma
• Traveling with mesothelioma

Caring For a Loved One
• A loved ones' diagnosis
• Learning to cope
• Caregiver tips
• Mesothelioma support groups
• Getting organized
• Advanced care planning
• Financial planning
• Financial assistance
• Hospice care
• Benefits of companion pets
• Benefits of online support
• Holiday guide for patients
• Holiday guide for caregivers

Each type of mesothelioma occurs in a different area of the body. Pleural mesothelioma cancer occurs in the chest cavity. When mesothelioma occurs in the abdomen, it is called peritoneal mesothelioma. Lastly, Pericardial mesothelioma affects the cells in the lining of the heart. While treatments are generally the same for all mesothelioma types, they may vary depending on the location of the cancer.

There are three main types of mesothelioma cancer:

• Epithelioid
• Sarcomatoid
• Mixed/biphasic

Epithelioid mesothelioma occurs in 50 to 70 percent of all cases—the highest rate of occurrence. Mixed/biphasic mesothelioma types occur in 20 to 30 percent of all cases; these are a mix of epithelioid and sarcomatoid cancers. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma occurs in only 7 to 20 percent of all cases and is believed to be the most aggressive type of mesothelioma.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is the most common type of mesothelioma, accounting for 75 percent of all cases. This disease develops when people breathe in asbestos fibers. The fibers travel to the ends of small air passages in the lungs and damage the pleura by causing inflammation and scarring. The pleura is the layer of tissue that lines the chest cavity and helps to protect organs.

With pleural mesothelioma, the tumor typically appears in only one lung; often the right one. Cells become abnormal and grow out of control. Over time, pleural mesothelioma can break through the pleura and spread into chest wall or into the abdomen.

As the cancer grows and spreads, fluid fills the chest and puts pressure on vital organs. Patients with pleural mesothelioma often report symptoms such as pain in the lower back or chest, shortness of breath, coughing, and other symptoms.

Treatment for pleural mesothelioma may include surgery, which may be used to remove the cancerous growth or simply relieve the patient’s pain and discomfort. Doctors may also try radiation and chemotherapy applied directly to the chest cavity.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Peritoneal mesothelioma accounts for only 10 to 20 percent of all mesothelioma cases, with tumors typically growing in the abdomen. Peritoneal mesothelioma develops when people cough up and then swallow asbestos fibers, thereby causing damage to the peritoneum. The peritoneum is the layer of tissue that lines the abdomen to protect organs.

Similar to pleural mesothelioma, asbestos fibers damage the peritoneum by causing inflammation and scarring. Cells begin to grow abnormally and metastasize, or spread. Over time, peritoneal mesothelioma may break through the abdominal wall and invade organs like the lungs, heart, stomach, and liver. Peritoneal mesothelioma can even attach itself to blood vessels, the esophagus, or intestines, making it hard or even impossible to remove the cancer surgically.

As the cancer grows and spreads, fluid fills the abdomen and puts pressure on major organs. Patients with peritoneal mesothelioma often report symptoms such as abdominal pain, weight loss, and digestive disturbances.

Treatment for peritoneal mesothelioma may include inserting a needle into the abdomen to drain fluid; this helps to relieve some of the pressure on internal organs and alleviate the patient’s discomfort.  Surgery may also help relieve symptoms or be used to remove the tumor from the abdominal wall.  In addition, doctors may apply chemotherapy treatments or radiation treatments directly to the abdomen in an attempt to destroy the cancerous cells.

Pericardial Mesothelioma

Pericardial mesothelioma affects the cells in the lining of the heart, also known as the pericardium.  It is quite rare, accounting for less than 1% of all documented cases.  Pericardial mesothelioma affects twice as many males as females and is most likely to impact those between the ages of 40 and 70.

The symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma include chest pain, fluid buildup around the heart, abnormal breathing, chronic coughing, and irregular heartbeat.  Currently, the primary treatment for this type of mesothelioma is surgical removal of the pericardium.  Though not typically curative, this treatment can help lessen the symptoms resulting from constriction around the heart.