Muscle Weakness and Mesothelioma
Cancer-related muscle weakness usually has several causes, and severe muscle weakness is difficult to reverse. Nutrition and exercise are the best ways to combat muscle weakness.
- Written by Karen Selby, RN
- Edited By Walter Pacheco
- Medically Reviewed By Dr. Jeffrey Velotta
Asbestos.com is the nation’s most trusted mesothelioma resource
The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com has provided patients and their loved ones the most updated and reliable information on mesothelioma and asbestos exposure since 2006.
Our team of Patient Advocates includes a medical doctor, a registered nurse, health services administrators, veterans, VA-accredited Claims Agents, an oncology patient navigator and hospice care expert. Their combined expertise means we help any mesothelioma patient or loved one through every step of their cancer journey.
More than 30 contributors, including mesothelioma doctors, survivors, health care professionals and other experts, have peer-reviewed our website and written unique research-driven articles to ensure you get the highest-quality medical and health information.
About The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com
- Assisting mesothelioma patients and their loved ones since 2006.
- Helps more than 50% of mesothelioma patients diagnosed annually in the U.S.
- A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
- 5-star reviewed mesothelioma and support organization.
Testimonials
"My family has only the highest compliment for the assistance and support that we received from The Mesothelioma Center. This is a staff of compassionate and knowledgeable individuals who respect what your family is experiencing and who go the extra mile to make an unfortunate diagnosis less stressful. Information and assistance were provided by The Mesothelioma Center at no cost to our family."LashawnMesothelioma patient’s daughter
How to Cite Asbestos.com’s Article
APA
Selby, K. (2022, November 28). Muscle Weakness and Mesothelioma. Asbestos.com. Retrieved December 6, 2022, from https://www.asbestos.com/mesothelioma/symptoms/muscle-weakness/
MLA
Selby, Karen. "Muscle Weakness and Mesothelioma." Asbestos.com, 28 Nov 2022, https://www.asbestos.com/mesothelioma/symptoms/muscle-weakness/.
Chicago
Selby, Karen. "Muscle Weakness and Mesothelioma." Asbestos.com. Last modified November 28, 2022. https://www.asbestos.com/mesothelioma/symptoms/muscle-weakness/.
What Is Muscle Weakness?
Muscle weakness is a loss of muscle strength when standard effort doesn’t produce a full contraction or movement with flexing. Muscle weakness can make it hard for patients to lift things or walk. Cancer-related muscle weakness is a common mesothelioma symptom.
Most mesothelioma patients already have muscle loss because of aging or conditions such as diabetes, which can mask muscle weakness as a sign of cancer. Muscle weakness can also worsen as cancer spreads throughout the body.
Muscle Atrophy, Muscle Loss and Muscle Weakness
Muscle weakness can involve underlying disease, such as mesothelioma, and non-illness causes such as poor physical conditioning or malnutrition. In these cases, muscles may not contract or move as quickly as before, or you may get more tired with muscle use. The terms muscle atrophy, wasting, thinning and loss are often used interchangeably. After periods of muscle disuse, muscles will become smaller because of tissue loss and muscle mass loss. Mesothelioma or neurologic diseases can prevent muscle use, causing muscle weakness and eventually muscle atrophy.
What Causes Muscle Weakness?
Muscle weakness has many causes, including disease, malnutrition, chemical imbalance or lack of exercise. In mesothelioma patients, cancer can cause metabolic changes that prevent muscles from getting the necessary nutrients. Mesothelioma patients can take specific steps to prevent muscle weakness, such as regular exercise and increased dietary protein. However, muscle weakness typically becomes severe when mesothelioma reaches stage 4.
Malnutrition
Chemotherapy often causes side effects such as mouth sores and nausea, making eating difficult. A balanced diet is essential for mesothelioma patients undergoing or recovering from any treatment.
Getting plenty of protein is particularly important for minimizing muscle weakness. When the body does not get enough protein from food, it uses muscle protein. Cancer and cancer treatment can also cause nausea and lack of appetite, making it more challenging to avoid malnutrition.
As they grow, solid tumors in mesothelioma and lung cancer consume calories and protein, leaving fewer nutrients for muscles. In addition, cancer treatment can also cause anemia. This condition involves low red blood cell counts, making it harder for the blood to carry nutrients to muscles throughout the body.
Lack of Oxygen
Breathing difficulties can cause a lack of oxygen, known as hypoxia, which can contribute to muscle weakness. Muscles use oxygen to break down glucose and produce energy. Without enough oxygen, abnormal breathing can cause asphyxiation, a state of generalized hypoxia that can lead to unconsciousness or death. Mesothelioma can make breathing more difficult because of chest pain or weakness in respiratory muscles. This difficulty, in turn, makes it more challenging for your body to supply muscles with enough oxygen. Chronic respiratory illnesses like COPD cause decreased oxygen levels, reducing muscle mass over time.
Fatigue and Inactivity
In a 2021 clinical research study of predominantly male epithelioid mesothelioma patients with an average age of about 72 years, 81% of patients reported regular fatigue. Cancer-related fatigue affects everyone differently, and a patient may feel energetic one day but not have enough energy to get out of bed the next.
Mesothelioma tumors can use up energy as they grow, leaving fewer resources for the rest of the patient’s body. Reduced oxygen and difficulty breathing with pleural mesothelioma can lead to fatigue as can chest or abdominal pain, which can make it difficult for patients to rest. Palliative treatment for cancer pain is an important part of minimizing fatigue.
Mesothelioma treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation, can also cause fatigue. These treatments kill cancer cells along with healthy cells. The body then has to use energy to heal tissues. Treatments may also reduce red blood cells, causing anemia-related fatigue.
Exercise for mesothelioma patients can help maintain healthy muscle mass, but patients should consult their doctors before starting a workout regimen or seeking a trainer who may not have experience with cancer. Eating a nutrient rich mesothelioma diet can also help prevent fatigue from poor nutrition.
How Does Mesothelioma Cause Muscle Weakness?
Mesothelioma causes chemical imbalances in the body that interfere with muscle function, leading to muscle weakness. Cancer can spread and metastasize directly into muscle tissue or other sensitive tissues, affecting muscles in various ways. In addition, muscle weakness can be a side effect of certain supportive medications such as glucocorticoids.
If mesothelioma spreads to organs such as the adrenal glands, it may cause a hormone imbalance in the body. If cancer spreads into bones, the bones will release calcium and other chemicals harmful to muscles at high levels. If cancer spreads into the spinal cord, it may make it harder for signals from the brain to reach muscles lower in the body.
Tumors and cancer treatments can also cause inflammation, leading to a high level of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the body. These chemicals reduce muscle function and growth. Surgery patients require extra protein and calories for healing, and radiation side effects, such as fatigue and esophagitis, can cause difficulties with swallowing.
Treating Mesothelioma-Related Muscle Weakness
Treating mesothelioma-related muscle weakness involves identifying and managing the underlying cause. Malnutrition can be improved with diet or appetite stimulants, and patients with low activity can work with their doctor to develop an exercise plan. Cachexia is a “wasting” disorder seen in the later stages of cancer that involves severe weight and muscle loss. If caught early, interventions such as high-calorie diets and nutrient-dense supplements can limit the effects of cachexia. A healthy, balanced diet is one of the most efficient ways to prevent or treat mesothelioma-related muscle weakness.
Talking to your doctor about symptoms during mesothelioma treatment is essential because they can affect your nutrition or ability to exercise. Palliative treatments such as thoracentesis can reduce pressure in the chest and improve breathing. Improved symptoms can reduce fatigue and limit muscle weakness, leading to a better quality of life.
