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If You Have Malignant Mesothelioma

Cancer can start anywhere in the body. Malignant mesothelioma is cancer that begins in the linings of certain parts of the body. This cancer occurs more often in the lining of the chest or abdomen (belly). It occurs when cells in the lining grow out of control and outnumber normal cells. This makes it difficult for the body to function the way it should.

Cancer cells can spread to other parts of the body. Cancer cells in the lining can sometimes travel to nearby organs and tissues and grow there. When cancer cells spread, what is known as a metastasis occurs. For doctors, the cancer cells at the new site are identical to those in the lining.

Cancer is always named after the place where it started. Therefore, when mesothelioma in the chest spreads to the spine (or anywhere else), it is still called mesothelioma. It can only be called bone cancer if it has started from cells in the bones of the spine.

Different types of mesothelioma
  •     Pleural mesothelioma begins in the chest (chest) around the lungs. This is by far the most common type.
  •     Peritoneal mesothelioma begins in the lining of the abdomen or belly.
  •     Pericardial mesothelioma begins in the lining that covers the heart.
  •     Vaginal tunic mesothelioma begins in the covering around the testicles.

Mesothelioma is also grouped into 1 of 3 types based on the appearance of the cancer cells:
  •     About half of all mesotheliomas are epithelioids and tend to have a better prognosis.
  •     Sarcomatoid or fibrous tumors are about 1 in 10 mesotheliomas.
  •     Mixed or biphasic tumors have parts that look like the other two types. Approximately 3 or 4 out of 10 cases are of this type.

Questions for the doctor
  •     Why do you think I have mesothelioma?
  •     Where is it located?
  •     Is there any chance it is not cancer?
  •     Can you write down the type of mesothelioma that you think I might have?
  •     What's next
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