Metastatic mesothelioma is a condition where malignant cells from a primary tumor in the lining of the lungs or abdomen spread to other parts of the body. This spread, known as metastasis, typically occurs through the lymph nodes and is influenced by factors such as the stage of the cancer, cell type, and treatment. Mesothelioma metastasizes when tumor cells move to new areas, with distant metastases occurring in 10% to 50% of stage 4 cases. In the earlier stages, cancer cells spread locally within the bodily cavity where they developed and regionally to lymph nodes. It is only in stage 4 that mesothelioma can metastasize to distant parts of the body. However, it is more common for mesothelioma to continue spreading throughout the cavity where it originally formed, known as a local spread.
Metastatic mesothelioma can spread to several organs, including the liver, lungs, spleen, kidneys, and adrenal glands. This spread occurs when cancer cells travel to distant sites through the bloodstream or lymph system, where they can invade organs and form secondary tumors. Cancer cells reach the bloodstream through a process called angiogenesis, which forms new capillaries in the body from existing blood vessels. Researchers are studying ways to promote and block angiogenesis with anti-angiogenic medications, which may be key to slowing or halting the spread of cancer.
The symptoms of metastatic mesothelioma vary depending on the location of the metastases. For example, mesothelioma spread to the liver may cause abdominal pain, bloating, swelling of the legs, or jaundice. Spread to the adrenal glands may cause back pain, muscle weakness, abdominal pain, or weight loss. Spread to the kidneys may cause pain in the side or back, lumps on the side or back, blood in urine, high blood pressure, or anemia. Spread to the brain can cause poor coordination, memory loss, severe headaches, seizures, personality changes, or vision changes. Spread to the spleen may cause severe abdominal pain or rupture of the spleen.
Treatment for metastatic mesothelioma focuses on controlling cancer growth and its symptoms, and may extend the life span of some patients. Palliative treatments can ease pain, improve quality of life, and improve survival. Chemotherapy can delay metastasis, improve survival, and reduce pulmonary symptoms. Radiation therapy can prevent local recurrence and treat painful chest wall metastases. Anti-angiogenesis drugs can slow or stop mesothelioma metastasis. Tumor Treating Fields can delay or prevent mesothelioma from spreading. Medications and physical therapies can treat pain caused by distant metastases. A mesothelioma specialist can recommend the best course of treatment after metastasis. Clinical trials are also exploring new therapies for patients with metastatic mesothelioma, including immunotherapy, gene therapy, and multimodal therapy.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, call (800) 505-6000 today. For more information, fill out the form on our Homepage.
Sources:
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1759-7714.13769
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000769.htm
https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/types/immunotherapy/angiogenesis-inhibitors-fact-sheet
