How Does Mesothelioma Develop?
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What Is Mesothelioma?
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Mesothelioma is a form of cancer where malignant cells develop in the mesothelium, the protective lining that covers many of the body's internal organs. The most common site for mesothelioma is in the outer layer of the lung tissue, which is also called the pleura. Mesothelioma can also occur in the tissue that lines the abdomen and the heart. The main symptom of mesothelioma is shortness of breath due to fluid around the lungs. Other symptoms include chest pain and weight loss.
How Does Mesothelioma Develop?
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The mesothelium, a layer of tissue that lines many of the cavities in the abdomen and thorax, is comprised of a single layer of cube-shaped cells. When asbestos fibers enter lungs, they can embed in the lung tissue. From there they can migrate to the mesothelium, where they penetrate the mesothelial cells and cause alterations. As a result, the penetrated mesothelial cells can begin to grow abnormally and form a malignant plaque called a mesothelioma. This often results from the asbestos fibers interfering with the cells' DNA, causing genetic abnormalities that lead to tumor formation.
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Symptoms
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A mesoyhelioma can initially start with pain in the chest and difficulty breathing as fluid enters the area around the lungs. It can also cause wheezing and the coughing up of blood (also known as hemoptysis). More advanced cases can have blood clots in the veins, jaundice and a condition known as disseminated intravascular coagulation, which can cause bleeding in many organs. It can also lead to a low blood sugar and the presence of blood clots in the arteries of lungs.
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