The mesothelium is a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, the chest cavity, and the heart. It is made up of cells that also cover just about all of the human internal organs.

It also produces fluids that are vital for the organs to function properly. For example, the mesothelium provides the lungs the fluid they need to properly expand for breathing. Along with providing the fluid for the lungs to expand and contract, the mesothelium also will provide the fluid for the intestines to move freely for proper digestion and the heart will move freely to contract.

The mesothelium that covers the lungs is called the pleura, the mesothelium around the heart is called the pericardium, and the mesothelium that covers the abdomen is the peritoneum. Each of these vital organs must have the vital fluids that are provided by it to function.

Mesothelioma is cancer of the mesothelium. The mesothelium is made up of two layers and this cancer starts in the middle of these two layers. When mesothelioma is diagnosed it greatly affects the proper functions of the mesothelium. The body cavities will slowly stop functioning. When mesothelioma occurs the cells of the mesothelium start dividing.

When the cells start dividing, they divide uncontrollably and abnormally. This cell division can damage other organs that are near by. And without treatment it can spread fast and go to the main organs in your body.

Symptoms occur when tumors start to get larger and fluid starts to fill up the mesothelium walls. Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that greatly endangers the human body cavity. Mesothelioma is a fairly new discovery and research is being done daily to get more treatment options for this cancer. It is hard to diagnose this vicious cancer because it is so uncommon and many of the symptoms can be read as the same as many other illnesses.