Malignant Mesothelioma

Malignant Mesothelioma – The Cancer Of The Mesothelial Cells

2008-05-29T15:36:00.000-07:00

The diseased defined

Mesothelium is the protective tissue that covers the chest cavity, abdominal cavity and the cavity around the heart and also produces a special lubricating fluid that allows the internal organs of the body to move around. Malignant Mesothelioma can be defined as the cancer of the mesothelial cells which become abnormal and start dividing without any order. Majority of the mesothelioma patients have a prior history of exposure to asbestos.

Types of malignant Mesothelioma

Malignant Mesothelioma or simply Mesothelioma can be divided into 3 main types namely
- Epithelioid
- Sarcomatoid
- Mixed/biphasic

Of these, Epithelioid is the most common (50% to 70% cases) and stands the best chance of recovery. Sarcomatoid type is seen in 7% to 20% cases whereas mixed/biphasic type is seen in 20% to 35% cases.

Approximately, ¾ of the total cases of Mesothelioma originates in the chest cavity (pleura) and is known as pleural mesothelioma. The cancer affecting the lining of the abdomen (peritoneum) is called the peritoneal mesothelioma and that affecting the “sac like” space around the heart (pericardial cavity) is called the pericardial mesothelioma. Mesothelioma at times also affects the covering layer of the testicles. However, the last two types of cases are quite rare.

Diagnosis of malignant Mesothelioma

The tumors of the mesothelium can either be benign (non cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). So whenever there are symptoms like shortness of breath, pain in chest/abdomen or swelling in the abdomen, you should consult your doctor immediately.

After the initial X-rays and scans, the doctor may look inside the chest cavity (in case of pleural tumor) with an instrument called thoracoscope and the test is called thoracoscopy. In case of tumor in peritoneum the doctor may go for peritoneoscopy with the help of a tool called peritoneoscope. Finally, if the abnormal tissue is found then a biopsy is done, whereby a piece of the unnatural tissue is cut out and placed under microscope for examination.

After the confirmed diagnosis of Mesothelioma it is also essential to ascertain its stages i.e. whether it is in localized stage or in advanced stage. In the localized stage, the cancer is found in the lining of the chest cavity or in the diaphragm or the lung. Advanced malignant Mesothelioma can again be divided into 3 stages namely stage II, III and IV. In stage II, the cancer spreads beyond the chest lining to lymph nodes and in stage III it spreads into chest wall, center of the chest, heart, through the diaphragm or abdominal lining, etc. The final or the fourth stage is the one in which the cancer has already spread to distant organs.

Treatment

Depending on the stage of the cancer, its location and the health, age and medical history of the patient, 3 types of treatments are mated out to malignant Mesothelioma patients – surgery (to remove the tumor), radiation therapy (application of high energy rays) and chemotherapy (usage of combination of drugs). This apart, if there is any accumulation of fluid in the chest or abdomen, then the doctor needs to drain it out and the process is regarded as thoracentesis and paracentesis respectively.

So be aware of the disease, such that you can prevent it at the very onset.

About the Author
Fred Lindell is a successful writer and publisher of health related issues, for more informative articles go to http://www.mesotheliomaplaza.com
Published At: www.Isnare.com

What is Malignant Mesothelioma?

2008-05-29T09:56:00.000-07:00

Malignant Mesothelioma -- or simply Mesothelioma, is a type of cancer. It gets its name because it arises from the mesothelial surfaces of the inner lung and abdominal cavities.

It affects people later in life -- in their 60's and 70's, most likely. There is a direct correlation between developing mesothelioma and having had exposure to asbestos -- especially as a child.

What's the interest?

Mesothelioma has gotten much more attention in the past few years due to its relationship to asbestos exposure. Asbestos use in the United States has decreased since the 1970s... but this disease appears about 35 years after exposure.

As a result, the number of people who develop and are diagnosed with mesothelioma has been predicted to peak in the recent years.

Early Symptoms

Symptoms are not very specific. Most people present with trouble breathing and chest discomfort. Some people can develop fluid in their lung as a reaction to the Mesothelioma.

Diagnosis

Your doctor is the one to diagnose this disease. It may be difficult to come to the correct diagnosis -- as often, this requires a biopsy (tissue sample) of the affected area. Abnormal lung tissue may be seen on a Chest XRay.

What's to expect?

Depending on the area affected, there are special medications that can be used to try to treat it, but overall is difficult to treat. Unfortunately, the life expectancy after developing this disease is very short, with an average survival from 6 to 18 months.

About the author...
By Anonymous

Malignant Mesothelioma Diagnosis

2008-05-29T09:35:00.000-07:00

The most dangerous form of mesothelioma is the malignant form. Known as malignant mesothelioma, the primary causal factor is asbestos infection. According to the US National Cancer Institute, "Malignant malignant mesothelioma is a disease in which cancer (malignant) cells are found in the sac lining the chest (the pleura), the lining of the abdominal cavity (the peritoneum) or the lining around the heart (the pericardium)."

Mesothelioma can be classified into three types – pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma and pericardial mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma refers to a cancer of the lining of the lung (pleura), peritoneal mesothelioma refers to a cancer of the abdominal cavity (peritoneum) lining, and pericardial mesothelioma is a cancer that occurs in the lining that surroundings the heart (pericardium). The subtypes of mesothelioma are of three basic types, one very aggressive, one least aggressive, and one lying between the two extremes.

Malignant mesothelioma can be diagnosed through several imaging techniques. These imaging techniques enable physicians to assess mesothelioma. Once mesothelioma is suspected, patients are advised to undergo several tests, like X-ray, Computed Tomography (CT) scan, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans, and Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging. The physician may also like to undertake special mesothelioma tests like thoracoscopy, peritoneoscopy and biopsy.

Learning about the stage of mesothelioma is a critical factor that helps physicians to decide the action plan. If the cancer is restricted to the pleura, mesothelioma is considered localized. If the cancer spreads clear of the pleura and to other parts of the body such as the lungs, abdominal cavity, lymph nodes and the chest wall, mesothelioma is considered to be in an advanced stage.

The oft used and the oldest system for determining the stages of mesothelioma is the Butchart System. The Butchart System is based on the extent of the primary tumor mass available in a patient. This system divides mesothelioma into four stages. The TNM system, a slightly advanced system over the Butchart System, determines staging through variables of tumor in mass and the spread, the lymph node involvement and metastasis. However, the latest system is known as the Brigham System, where staging is done as per the respectability and lymph node involvement. In spite of such modern techniques, a definitive diagnosis of mesothelioma still leftovers possible through fluid diagnosis and tissue biopsy.

Mesothelioma Diagnosis provides detailed information on Mesothelioma Diagnosis, Malignant Mesothelioma Diagnosis, Mesothelioma Diagnosis Support, Mesothelioma Doctors and more. Mesothelioma Diagnosis is affiliated with Mesothelioma Asbestos Diseases.

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