The organs, body cavity, and their mesothelial sacs are as follows:
- Lung
- Chest Cavity
- Pleura
- Abdominal Organs
- Abdominal Cavity
- Peritoneum
- Heart
- Chest Cavity
- Pericardium
- Testicles
- Scrotum
- Tunica Vaginalis
There are two layers to the mesothelium, the inner (visceral) sac, and an outer (parietal) layer that lines the respective body cavity. The layers secrete a fluid that allows the organs frictionless movement within the cavity. In all four types of mesothelioma the disease begins in the elastic mesothelial sac that encases one of four body organs.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma begins in the pleural sac. The early symptoms of mesothelioma appear as the tumor grows causing pleural inflammation causing effusions and infections that cause shortness of breath and other breathing problems.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Peritoneal mesothelioma begins most often in the stomach or intestines. Asbestos fibers are believed to enter the stomach either by ingestion or the lymphatic system. Fibers can be swallowed from food or drink that was contaminated with asbestos, or from swallowing contaminated lung secretions.
Pericardial Mesothelioma
Researchers have not established how the fibers get into the pericardial mesothelium, but speculate that they may break down in the lung tissue and enter the blood stream where they travel to the heart and become lodged in the pericardium.
Testicular Mesothelioma
With fewer than 100 cases reported, testicular mesothelioma is the rarest. To date, no one knows why mesothelioma develops in the testicles.
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