Malignant Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that affects the thin
cell wall lining of the body's internal organs and structures. This
lining is known as the mesothelium. Malignant mesothelioma has three known varieties. They are malignant pleural mesothelioma, malignant pericardial mesothelioma, and malignant peritoneal mesothelioma.
Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the pleura, the lung's lining.
Peritoneal mesothelioma occurs in the peritoneum, the abdominal cavity
wall. And pericardial mesothelioma occurs in the lining of the hearth,
known as the pericardium.
What Causes Malignant Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is known only to be caused by asbestos exposure.
Asbestos is a nature, yet toxic mineral that was used commonly in heavy
industry. Microscopic asbestos fibers enter the body through the lung or
ingestion. Once inside, the durable fibers are unable to be broken down
or expelled by the body, causing a harmful inflammation and scarring of
the mesothelium. This scarring lays the groundwork for malignant
mesothelioma and other respiratory conditions, such as asbestosis.
There is a great deal of latency associated with asbestos exposure and the onset of mesothelioma. Often patients will not encounter mesothelioma symptoms
until 30-50 years following exposure to asbestos. In many cases, those
diagnosed with mesothelioma are not those who were directly exposed to
asbestos in a jobsite setting. Spouses and children of those exposed to
asbestos who frequently came into contact with the fibers on the
clothing or person of those exposed have also developed malignant
mesothelioma as a result.
How is Malignant Mesothelioma Treated?
Malignant mesothelioma prognosis
is poor, as often the disease will be diagnosed in its later stages
after symptoms have appeared. However, there are several treatment
options for the management of the cancer. Among these are mesothelioma chemotherapy,
radiation therapy, and surgical resection. Chemotherapeutic and
radiation therapy methods are more likely but surgery is often an option
for those whose disease is diagnosed early enough.
More aggressive therapies are now possible for patients with mesothelioma diagnosed in its earlier stages. For instance, extrapleural pneumonectomy
is now possible in many pleural mesothelioma patients who are deemed
eligible for aggressive surgery. Extrapleural pneumonectomy involves the
removal of the entire affected lung, the pericardium, the pleura, and
the diaphragm. This aggressive surgery is performed frequently in early
stage mesothelioma patients by Dr. David Sugarbaker at the Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, MA.
Patient's who are eligible to receive an aggressive surgery, like an
extrapleural pneumonectomy, will have a far more favorable prognosis
than those diagnosed with advanced stage inoperable disease. However,
there are treatment options for nearly all mesothelioma patients.
Chemotherapy cocktails such as the use of Alimta® in conjunction with Cisplatin,
as well as numerous other clinical trial being carried out give
mesothelioma patients the ability to slow the advance of the disease and
extend survival rates.
Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
Malignant pleural mesothelioma is the most common type of
mesothelioma and occurs in the mesothelial membrane surrounding the
chest cavity and lungs. Pleural mesothelioma, because it is more common
than other varieties of the malignancy, has had more research invested
in it. Pleural mesothelioma represents approximately 70% of all
mesothelioma diagnoses.
Malignant Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma is less common than pleural
mesothelioma and represents approximately 15-20% of all mesothelioma
diagnoses. Peritoneal mesothelioma occurs in the lining of the abdominal
cavity in the membrane surrounding the organs of this region. Like
pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is known only to be caused
by exposure to asbestos.
Malignant Pericardial Mesothelioma
Malignant pericardial mesothelioma is among the rarest of all known
malignancies, and represents less than 10% of all mesothelioma
diagnoses. Pericardial mesotheliomas occur within the mesothelial lining
of the heart. Pericardial mesotheliomas, like those of pleural and
peritoneal varieties, are associated with asbestos exposure. Pericardial
mesotheliomas differ from the pleural variant in that they are known to
occur in younger individuals. While surgery is seen as the preferred
method of treatment, mobidity and mortality are almost certain given the
region in which the tumor is located.
How is Malignant Mesothelioma diagnosed?
Malignant Mesothelioma will typically be suspected if the patient
complains of chest pain, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath,
chronic cough, or difficulty swallowing. While any of these could
indicate mesothelioma, they are also associated with many other
respiratory conditions so further diagnostic procedures are typically
warranted before an accurate malignant mesothelioma diagnosis
can be made. These may include imaging scans, such as computer
topography or magnetic resonance imaging. A diagnostic biopsy is also
required for cancer specialist to examine the behavior of these cells
before a diagnosis is determined.
Misdiagnosis is not uncommon in patients of the malignant
mesothelioma, because the disease's symptoms so closely resemble those
of other related conditions, including lung cancer, and other
respiratory ailments. For this reason those who are at high-risk of
mesothelioma (including those with asbestos history) should consult with
physicians and cancer centers well versed in the treatment and
diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma.
What options do patients of Malignant Mesothelioma have?
Unfortunately, many of those diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma
have incurred illness as a result of a negligent exposure to asbestos.
It is now clear that many asbestos manufacturers were well aware of the
hazards of asbestos and asbestos exposure. Hundreds of thousands of
laborers and workers have been exposed in shipyards, power plants,
factories, and other jobsites- thousands of which develop malignant
mesothelioma each year.
Patients of malignant mesothelioma or any other asbestos related
health complications should consult their physician regarding the many mesothelioma treatment options
that are available. Also, patients may be eligible for compensation if
they were wrongfully exposed. All those seeking further information
should fill out the brief contact form on this page to receive a
mesothelioma and asbestos information packet detailing treatment and
legal options.
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