Malignant Mesothelioma - American Cancer Society

Malignant Mesothelioma | Causes, Symptoms, Prognosis

Malignant Mesothelioma

Malignant mesothelioma is a cancer that starts in cells in the linings of certain parts of the body, especially in the linings of the chest or abdomen.Cancer starts when cells start to grow out of control. Cells in nearly any part of the body can become cancer.

The mesothelium:

A layer of specialized cells called mesothelial cells lines the inside of the chest, the abdomen, and the space around your heart. These cells also cover the outer surface of most of your internal organs. The lining formed by these cells is called the mesothelium.The mesothelium helps protect your organs by making a special lubricating fluid that allows organs to move against each other.

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For example, this fluid makes it easier for your lungs to move (expand and contract) inside the chest when you breathe.

The mesothelium has different names in different parts of the body

The pleura coats the lungs and the space in the chest containing the lungs.
The peritoneum lines the inside of the abdomen and many of the organs in the abdomen.
The pericardium covers the heart and creates the space that holds the heart in the chest.
The tunica vaginalis lines the testicles.

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Mesothelial tumors can start in any of these linings. These tumors can be noncancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant).

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Malignant mesothelioma:

A cancerous tumor of the mesothelium is called a malignant mesothelioma, although this is often shortened to just mesothelioma. Mesotheliomas can start in 4 main areas in the body.

Pleural mesotheliomas : start in the chest. About 3 out of 4 mesotheliomas are pleural mesotheliomas.
Peritoneal mesotheliomas : begin in the abdomen. They make up most of the remaining cases.
Pericardial mesotheliomas : start in the covering around the heart and are very rare.
Mesotheliomas of the tunica vaginalis : are very rare tumors that start in the covering layer of the testicles.