Medical Symptoms and Facts

Malignant mesothelioma is a rare but serious form of cancer. Recently all forms of mesothelioma have come to be considered malignant. Malignant mesothelioma afflicts the major membranes of the body, starting out as tumors which rapidly spread to infect surrounding tissues and organs. The pleural membrane which is found in the lining of the lungs and chest cavity is the most common area for malignant mesothelioma to begin to develop.

Malignant mesothelioma also can affect the lining that surrounds the heart, although this is the rarest form of malignat mesothelioma, called pericardial mesothelioma. The third common area afflicted by malignant mesothelioma is the lining of the stomach and abdomen. This specific type of mesothelioma is diagnosed as peritoneal mesothelioma. In extremely rare cases, peritoneal malignant mesothelioma can also affect the testicles of male patients because the lining of the scrotum is an extension of the lining in the abdomen.

The most common cause of malignant mesothelioma is exposure to airborne asbestos particles. Breathing asbestos particles creates an ideal environment within the body for malignant mesothelioma cells to develop and spread. Most malignant mesothelioma patients report exposure to asbestos particles during the course of employment. However, exposure to malignant mesothelioma causing asbestos particles can also occur in a number of other ways as well.

Malignant mesothelioma patients can be exposed to asbestos simply by washing the clothes of someone who works in asbestos infected areas. Another common cause of asbestos exposure and subsequent malignant mesothelioma is remodeling homes with asbestos concrete products.