Abdominal Mesothelioma

When mesothelioma occurs in the abdomen, it is called abdominal mesothelioma. There are at least three kinds of abdominal mesothelioma. Pleural, Peritoneal and Pericardial.

Pleural mesothelioma is the most common type of mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma develops in the lining of the lungs. This lining is called the pleura, or pleural membrane, and it is made up of mesothelial cells. This mesotheliol cells can damage the surround tissues and organs.

Peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the abdomen, in the mesothelial cells that form the peritoneum. The peritoneum is a membranous layer that is made up of two 'sub-layers' called the parietal and visceral layers. The parietal layer covers the abdominal cavity, while the visceral layer surrounds abdominal organs. Together these two layers provide support and protection for abdominal organs and the abdominal cavity as a whole.

Pericardial mesothelioma develops in the pericardium, a membrane made up of mesothelial cells that surrounds the heart and provides protection and support to this organ. The membrane is composed of two different layers - an outer layer called the parietal layer (called the heart sac or theca cordis), and an inner layer known as the visceral layer (called the epicardium). The parietal layer is part of a larger membrane that lines the entire chest cavity, while the visceral layer is the pericardial membrane that lines the heart.