Mesothelioma tumors are a result of mutated cells within the protective lining around the organs in the body cavity. Tissue cells mutate as a result of exposure to carcinogens (cancer causing agents), environmental substances, and genetic predispositions to mutation. Large tumors can harm circulatory and respiratory functions and any tumors can cause the body’s immune system to react in ways that are harmful to a person’s overall health.
There are two kinds of tumors; benign and malignant. Benign tumors are not cancerous and may cause local pain and complications, but are usually successfully removed through routine surgical procedures. These types of tumors do not metastasize (spread to other parts of the body). Malignant tumors are cancerous, grow without limitation, and may spread to other parts of the body.
Tumors related to mesothelioma are mostly malignant tumors and are not as easily removed during routine surgery. Malignant mesothelioma tumors often require aggressive cancer treatments in addition to surgery, such as chemotherapy and radiation. (Rarely, a benign tumor may form in the mesothelium. When this occurs, doctors refer to it as a solitary fibrous tumor to avoid confusion.)
The most commonly diagnosed form of this rare asbestos-related cancer, pleural mesothelioma, occurs in the lungs where mesothelioma tumors can cause pain and complications to the normal function of the lungs and lung lining (known as the pleura). Mesothelioma tumors can also develop around the heart, in the abdomen and in other nearby structures such as the esophagus, intestines, muscle tissue, joints, and lymphatic system components. Tumors of the mesothelium are the primary reason for the symptoms and complications associated with mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma tumors can develop over a very long period of time without detection. It can take up to fifty years from the time of exposure to a carcinogen, usually asbestos, for a person to develop the symptoms of mesothelioma. During this time, cancer cells in the mesothelium are multiplying and spreading without limitation. As cancer cells multiply, they begin to form clusters of mutated cells. These clusters, tumors, get larger and larger until they begin to disrupt the normal function of the mesothelium and organ.
Mesothelioma Tumors Overview
The body cavity and all of the structures within it are covered by a protective layer of cells that reduce friction between internal structures and prevent organ injury during physical activities. Breathing, as an example, causes the lungs to expand and collapse at regular interval. While breathing, the lungs also come into contact with other internal structures (vessels, chest wall, rib cage, etc), depending on what we are doing at the time. Physical activity causes internal structures to shift and move around, as well. Without the protective lining of the mesothelium, the mere act of breathing could cause pain, discomfort, and damage to the organs as friction wears away at the tissue.
To accomplish the task of protecting and reducing friction within the body cavity, the mesothelium is filled with a secreted lubricant known as serous fluid. Serous fluid, in conjunction with the cell layers, provides a “sliding” layer for organs and other structures to comfortably move around in the body cavity. Serous fluid fills the space between the mesothelium and the outer organ or structure wall and adds to the protection provided by this important structure.
In the pleura (lining of the lungs), the area is referred to as the “pleural space” or “pleural cavity” and is the source of many of the symptoms caused by pleural mesothelioma tumors. In cases of peritoneal mesothelioma tumors (cancerous tumors in the abdomen’s mesothelium), the space is known as the “peritoneal space” or cavity and the “pericardial space” or cavity when referencing tumors of the mesothelium surrounding the heart.
Mesothelioma Tumors, Symptoms, and Harmful Effects
The space between the mesothelium and the outer structure wall nearby is sensitive to the effects of tumors and will cause the most common symptoms of mesothelioma:
- Effusion
- Generalized Pain
- Weight-Loss, Nausea, Vomiting
- Pleurisy
- Dry Cough
When a tumor growing on the pleura extends into the pleural cavity, for example, there is less space for the serous fluid to occupy, causing the most common symptoms listed above.
With little space, the fluid causes distention and makes breathing painful and difficult. Pleural mesothelioma tumors also cause swelling of the mesothelium which causes even more restriction in breathing. To make matters much worse, the body responds by activating the immune system which dumps even more fluid into the pleural space.
The condition of swelling, over production of serous fluid, and restricted space is known as “pleural effusion” and is a very common symptom among those who suffer from pleural mesothelioma tumors. Some of the other common symptoms and complications that are a direct result of mesothelioma tumors are described in the table below.
| Symptoms Caused by Mesothelioma Tumors |
|---|
| General Pain | Organ dysfunction, nerve pressure, swelling, and poor circulation |
| Fever and Sweating | Particularly night sweating; caused by infection, pain, or dysfunction of organs. |
| Weight Loss, Nausea, Vomiting | Caused by pain and loss of appetite or affected organs with mesothelioma tumors blocking digestive passages and other organ processes. |
| Bowel Changes | Change in regularity, bowel movements; caused by blocking digestive passages and other organ processes. |
| Lumps\Bumps | Mesothelioma tumors just beneath the skin on the lining of the abdominal and chest walls |
| Pleurisy | Mesothelioma tumors occupying pleural space, causing effusion which makes breathing painful. |
| Chest Pain | Mesothelioma tumors applying pressure to nerves and cause effusion. |
| Dry Cough | Mesothelioma tumors applying pressure to esophagus or lung wall. |
| Breathlessness | Mesothelioma tumors causing effusion and block vessels\passageways. |
| Difficulty swallowing | Mesothelioma tumors apply pressure to blood vessels, causing swelling of esophagus. |
| Back Pain | Mesothelioma tumors applying pressure to nerves or as a result of effusion. |
| Hoarseness | Mesothelioma tumors applying pressure to esophagus. |
| Swelling | Mesothelioma tumors applying pressure to blood vessels. |
| Effusion | Mesothelioma tumors occupying pleural space, causing swelling and the overproduction of serous fluids that have nowhere to go. |
Mesothelioma tumors can be treated, though there is no known cure for mesothelioma. The most preferred method of treatment is surgery to remove as much of the cancer as possible. Not all patients qualify for surgery however, so some people must consider alternative means of treating this deadly cancer.
Mesothelioma tumors may be reduced in size through chemotherapy and radiation, two of the most common treatment methods that are typically employed to eradicate left over cancer cells following surgery. Therapy treatments including gene therapy and photodynamic therapy are among alternatives that some oncologists recommend.
Treatment and response to treatment heavily relies on the overall health of the patient and the stage at which treatment begins. In later stages, doctors primarily focus on treating the symptoms of mesothelioma tumors to improve patient comfort because of the poor prognosis of mesothelioma. Late stage diagnosis means that fewer options will actually extend the patient’s life expectancy. Treating the primary symptom, effusion, is usually the first type of treatment for patients experiencing respiratory distress, regardless of stage.
