Types of Mesothelioma

Types of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that originates from the mesothelium, a protective lining that sheaths the internal organs of the body. The different types of mesothelioma are terms used to differentiate where in the body the cancer exists.

Learn what the different types of mesothelioma are and the treatments specific to them. Fill out our information form located below and MesotheliomaSymptoms.com will overnight a detailed packet to you filled with factors concerning diagnosis, prognosis, and clinical trials.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma typically develops within the chest cavity and lungs. The most common type of malignant mesothelioma, it often spreads to numerous other organs and lymph nodes in the body. The difficulty in diagnosing and detecting pleural mesothelioma makes treatment tougher. Symptoms such as chest pains, weight loss and fever are far too common to be noticed as a precursor for cancer. More severe symptoms such as breathing difficulties and fluid buildup may not appear until after the disease has progressed. Thesurvival rate for sufferers of pleural mesothelioma is tragically low. Only 8% live beyond three-to-five years after the onset of initial symptoms, and the average life expectancy is closer to 12 months.

Pericardial Mesothelioma

The least common form of malignant mesothelioma,pericardial mesothelioma affects the heart. This rare form of cancer is found in the sac that surrounds the heart, also known as the pericardium. The cancer prevents the heart from transporting oxygen to the body efficiently, and as a result the patient’s body deteriorates from an elevated heart rate. Heart attack, nausea, chest pain, and shortness of breath are signs of pericardial mesothelioma.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the abdominal area and can quickly spread to the liver, bowel, or spleen. Fluid buildup or severe stomach pain can be a sign of peritoneal mesothelioma, in addition to vomiting, bowel trouble, fever, and tumescent feet. Patients generally only survive 10 months from the day of the initial symptoms.

Malignant Versus Benign

The aforementioned types of mesothelioma are malignant forms, and are thusly the most dangerous. Malignant mesothelioma is often the product of asbestos inhalation from

individuals who have worked or resided in areas not up to current health and safety standards. Since the disease has a high latency period, often times it is not diagnosed until it has progressed far beyond any rectifiable measure.

As the name suggests, benign mesothelioma is a form of non-malignant mesothelioma that is easily treatable. While benign tumors can at times be cancerous, unlike malignant mesothelioma, the tumors do not spread, making it easier to isolate and remove.

Mesothelioma in Uncommon Locations

In addition to pleural, pericardial, peritoneal, and benign mesothelioma, the cancer can also strike the ovaries and testes. These tumors are born in the membrane lining the organs. The total number of cases of testicular or ovarian mesothelioma are less than a hundred, and symptoms are rarely identified. As a result, the prognosis for this type of mesothelioma are not promising. The effects of the disease are such that any individual who has had prolonged asbestos exposure or initial symptoms of mesothelioma should consult a doctor.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma of the peritoneal lining is very rare and poses a challenge to diagnose as well as treat. Unfortunately, it often becomes fatal.

Peritoneal mesothelioma is a cancer that occurs in the abdominal lining, which serves to protect the abdominal organs and secretes fluids allowing for the organs to move smoothly. The cancer of the peritoneum leads to swelling of the abdomen and kills the healthy cells of the cavity while allowing for the growth of cancer cells.

Causes of Peritoneal Mesothelioma

The most common cause of peritoneal mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. Lodged asbestos in the lining of the abdomen has been proven to be the cause of the cancer, although it is not understood how the lining becomes infested. The most accepted theory is that dust of the asbestos is ingested which allows the fibers to easily enter the abdomen. This leads to inflammation and, eventually, cancer. Another theory as to how asbestos reaches the peritoneal membrane is that fibers of asbestos are inhaled and travel to the membrane by way of the limphatic system.

Regardless of how these toxic fibers enter the peritoneal membrane, the fact of the matter is, once they are there the body has a very difficult time getting rid of the fibers. Due to the nature of the fibers, they get lodged in the membrane and over 20 to 50 years begin to change the dynamics of the healthy mesothelial cells, causing them to grow rapidly and uncontrollably.

This rapid growth of cells causes a thickening of the peritoneum and a consequent build-up of fluid in the peritoneal layers resulting in discomfort for patients. Eventually this cell growth begins to form tumors.

Latency Period

After the initial asbestos exposure, the cancer often does not manifest itself for up to 50 years. Despite the long latency period, this form of cancer is the most rapidly fatal. At the start of the disease, there are rarely any symptoms of the cancer. The first symptom is typically pain in the abdomen, which can often be mistaken for other conditions therefore delaying correct diagnosis. Later symptoms include swelling of the abdomen, loss of weight, nausea and vomiting, difficulty breathing, as well as obstruction of the bowels, fever, and hernias.

Symptoms of Peritoneal Mesothelioma

This, second most common form of mesothelioma, develops in the tissue surrounding the abdominal cavity known as the peritoneum. Symptoms of this disease include:

Nausea or vomiting
Inexplicable weight loss
Sweating or fever
Swelling or pain in the abdomen
Ascites (fluid buildup between the peritoneum and the abdominal organs)
Anemia
Fatigue
Diarrhea, constipation or any other inexplicable changes in the bowels
Development of lumps under the skin on the abdomen
These symptoms usually arise as a result of the thickening of the membrane surrounding the abdomen. This thickening is brought on by rapidly growing cancerous cells. Generally, this rapid growth leads to an accumulation of fluid between the membranes in this area putting pressure on the abdomen which brings on symptoms of this cancer.

Diagnosing Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In order to obtain a diagnosis, the physician will conduct physical examinations, review medical histories, as well as conduct imaging scans such as CT and MRI scans. After the location of the tumor is found, a biopsy will be performed in order to determine whether or not the tumor is cancerous. Unlike pleural mesothelioma, there is no current system for determining the stage of this cancer. Instead, most physicians go straight to the treatment options. Unfortunately, radiation, chemotherapy, and surgical removal have not been shown to be useful when used separately.

Treating the Disease

The most useful treatment options found are a combination of traditional therapies. Radiation can be used to directly target the cancer cells in order to relieve pain and decrease swelling in the abdomen. After the radiation is complete, chemotherapy drugs are then inserted into the abdomen to shrink the tumor. Third, surgery can be used to remove the remaining tumor. Chemotherapy may then again be used. If the diagnosis is made early, these treatments may be effective although a cure is rarely possible. Instead, the goal is often the management of pain and relief of the symptoms.

Ongoing Research

Research studies as well as clinical trials are currently in process in order to determine a way to increase the likelihood of developing a cure for peritoneal mesothelioma. Currently, the only chance of cure is to find the cancer very early in its stages. Persons who have undergone exposure to asbestos should receive frequent checkups in order to decrease the patient’s risk of developing mesothelioma or other asbestos-related conditions and diseases.
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Pericardial Mesothelioma

Pericardial Mesothelioma

Pericardial mesothelioma is one form of asbestos-related cancer. This type of mesothelioma affects the pericardium, which is the lining around the heart muscle. It also can affect the membranes of the lungs. This is a rare form of mesothelioma, which in itself is a rare disease. Pericardial tumors are typically diffuse, meaning they are not localized and tend to cover most all of the heart.

Pericardical mesothelioma makes up about half of all pericardial tumors. Research states that this form of cancer accounts for approximately 1 to 6 percent of all mesotheliomas. This form of cancer is so rare that fewer than 150 cases have been used in medical literature, and just 200 cases have been reported worldwide.

Causes of Pericardial Mesothelioma

Like other forms of mesothelioma, the most commen cause by far is long periods of exposure to asbestos dust and fibers. This dust is a byproduct of the construction, upkeep, and repair of things that contain asbestos. It is thought that these asbestos fibers break down in the lungs and are sent through the bloodstream into the pericardium and serous membranes. The lymphatic system may also play a part in the spread of the asbestos fibers to other parts of the body.

Symptoms of Pericardial Mesothelioma

Being exposed to asbestos does not result in mesothelioma right away. The symptoms can take 20 to 50 years to manifest and may not even occur until the later stages of the disease. That is why it is important to understand what the symptoms are so that diagnosis can be made as early as possible.

Many of the pericardial mesothelioma symptoms are the same as for pleural mesothelioma and they include:

Shortness of breath
Chest pain
Chronic cough
Fatigue after only light exertion
Heart palpitations
Irregullar heartbeat (arrhythmia)
Murmurs
Fever or night sweats
Difficulty breathing, even when at rest (dyspnea)
Orthopnea (difficulty breathing when lying down)
These symptoms are a result of the fluid that is built up around the heart caused by the cancerous tumor and are not direct symptoms of the mesothelioma itself. The symptoms that are specific to pericardial mesothelioma are low blood pressure, fainting, fluid retention in the legs, and heart palpitations.

Diagnosing the Disease

Anyone who experiences the symptoms described here should see a doctor immediately. The first part of treatment for pericardial mesothelioma is getting a fast and correct diagnosis.

Getting to an accurate diagnosis begins with a medical history, which includes questions about possible exposure to mesothelioma. The next logical step is to conduct imaging tests, beginning with an X-ray to get an understanding of the heart’s health. After the X-ray, a CT scan and MRI will likely be conducted. A biopsy of the affected tissue is often used to confirm or rule out the presence of mesothelioma in the lining of the heart.

Researchers are looking for new and more accurate ways to test for mesothelioma. New methods may make the chances of early detection more likely.

Treating the Pericardial Mesothelioma

Treatment can begin after a confirmed diagnosis of pericardial mesothelioma. Since there is no cure for mesothelioma, treatment is limited to procedures that may prolong the patient’s life and make the patient more comfortable in the time that is left. Research is ongoing to find new methods to treat and even cure mesothelioma.

Treatment options include radiation, chemotherapy, surgery, and medication. The disease must be caught in the early stages before surgery is a viable option. Radiation is quite successful and is used to kill the cancer cells and to shrink the tumor. Chemotherapy is normally the second options but does have side effects.

There are procedures used quite often that remove the fluid that has built up in the lining of the heart or chest. While they do not treat the disease itself, these procedures are successful in relieving the pain that the fluid can cause.

Mesothelioma Diagnosis

Mesothelioma Diagnosis

How do medical professionals diagnose mesothelioma?

If you believe that you may have mesothelioma, a qualified medical professional will use a variety of diagnostic tests and methods to confirm the presence of the disease.

The first step that mesothelioma doctors will take in evaluating an asbestos related disease is to obtain a full medical history to determine the level and severity of mesothelioma risk factors and presenting mesothelioma symptoms. This interview will consider among other things, where asbestos exposure occurred, the length of exposure and the amount of asbestos that you were exposed to.

In addition, he/she will perform a medical exam to look for signs and symptoms of various types of mesothelioma. For example, if pleural mesothelioma is suspected the doctor will look for fluid in the chest, peritoneal mesothelioma often shows fluid in the abdomen and pericardial mesothelioma presents with fluid in the area of the heart.

Diagnostic Tests

Imaging Scans

Diagnostic image tests like x-rays, CT scans and MRI’s are useful in obtaining more information about the cancer including how far it is progressed. Each method provides another piece of information for your doctor to assist him/her in making an accurate diagnosis. Chest x-rays are used to identify abnormalities in the lungs including unusual thickening, mineral deposits and fluid in the chest area. CT scans are capable of providing images of the same location from many different angles. MRI technology uses magnetic fields rather than x-ray to provide additional views.

PET Scan - Positron Emission Tomography, more commonly referred to as a PET scan, is a nuclear medicine diagnostic technique. Nuclear medicine involves introducing a small amount of radioactive material into the body (in this case, intravenously) to help doctors determine if the body is functioning properly. PET scans in mesothelioma patients are often used in conjunction with CT scans. PET scans can be particularly helpful in determining if the cancer has metastasized beyond its point of origin.
CT Scan - A Computer Tomography scan or CT scan, as it is more often referred to, is a commonly utilized method for locating the tumor in the body and determining the extent of the disease. Doctors will often prescribe a CT scan if mesothelioma is suspected because it offers more detail than a traditional X-ray. The CT scan provides cross-sectional imaging of the internal body structures that can be reconstructed on a computer monitor.
MRI - A magnetic resonance image, more commonly referred to as an MRI, is a noninvasive method used for diagnosing mesothelioma within the body. The MRI uses a magnetic field and radio frequency pulses, transmitting them to a computer. Traditional MRI equipment consists of a cylinder within which the patient lies. The MRI poses no risk for patients, though some find the enclosed spaces uncomfortable. These patients may request a mild sedative to allow them to remain still and calm during the procedure.
X-Ray - An x-ray is a commonly utilized mechanism not only for cancer diagnosis but for many different respiratory abnormalities, including bronchitis and pneumonia. Nevertheless, given that the symptoms of these respiratory disorders closely mimic those of malignant mesothelioma, often a chest x-ray is the first imaging technique used in a mesothelioma diagnosis. X-rays are particularly adept at identifying the proliferation of fluid within the pleural cavity, a symptom of mesothelioma known as a pleural effusion. If effusion is detected in the pleural cavity, doctors will often prescribe a surgical biopsy to test the fluid for malignant mesothelioma cells.
Biopsies

A biopsy is an important diagnostic procedure recommended by doctors for patients presenting with signs and symptoms of mesothelioma that have a history of asbestos exposure. Fine needle aspiration is the less invasive type of biopsy that can be performed. More invasive surgical biopsies are recommended if results from a needle biopsy are inconclusive or if a needle biopsy is not recommended for medical reasons.

Needle Biopsy- The needle biopsy is considered the less invasive biopsy procedure. A pleural biopsy is generally recommended for patients in whom mesothelioma is suspected. Fluid is extracted through a syringe and then tested for the presence of malignant cells. Upon determining the presence of malignant cells, cancer specialists will determine the cellular classification of the malignancy and if mesothelioma is, in fact, present. The extraction of fluid from the pleural cavity, chest wall, or abdominal is also used as a palliative procedure to alleviate patient symptoms.
Surgical Biopsy - A surgical biopsy is a far more extensive procedure than needle biopsy. Nevertheless, these procedures are sometimes necessary to make a conclusive diagnosis of mesothelioma. Surgical biopsy can be particularly useful once a diagnosis has already been established. For instance, a mediastinoscopy is a procedure, which assists physicians in staging the cancer. Once cancer is effectively staged, treatment recommendations can be made based on the best possible scenario for each individual patient’s circumstances.

Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma, more precisely malignant mesothelioma, is a rare form of cancer that develops from the protective lining that covers many of the body’s internal organs, the mesothelium. It is usually caused by exposure to asbestos.[1]
Its most common site is the pleura (outer lining of the lungs and internal chest wall), but it may also occur in the peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity), the pericardium (a sac that surrounds the heart),[2] or the tunica vaginalis (a sac that surrounds the testis).
Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos, or they have been exposed to asbestos dust and fiber in other ways. It has also been suggested that washing the clothes of a family member who worked with asbestos can put a person at risk for developing mesothelioma.[3] Unlike lung cancer, there is no association between mesothelioma and smoking, but smoking greatly increases the risk of other asbestos-induced cancers.[4] Those who have been exposed to asbestos have collected damages for asbestos-related disease, including mesothelioma. Compensation via asbestos funds or lawsuits is an important issue in law practices regarding mesothelioma (see asbestos and the law).
The symptoms of mesothelioma include shortness of breath due to pleural effusion (fluid between the lung and the chest wall) or chest wall pain, and general symptoms such as weight loss. The diagnosis may be suspected with chest X-ray and CT scan, and is confirmed with a biopsy (tissue sample) and microscopic examination. A thoracoscopy (inserting a tube with a camera into the chest) can be used to take biopsies. It allows the introduction of substances such as talc to obliterate the pleural space (called pleurodesis), which prevents more fluid from accumulating and pressing on the lung. Despite treatment with chemotherapy, radiation therapy or sometimes surgery, the disease carries a poor prognosis. Research about screening tests for the early detection of mesothelioma is ongoing.