Three Variations of Mesothelioma

There are three variations of Mesothelioma and each has its own symptoms, treatments and area of focus.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural Mesothelioma refers this asbestos-caused cancer that affects the lungs. The thin sac that lines the chest cavity is called the pleura; inside that sac is a second sac that surrounds the lungs. These thin linings are the areas affected by Pleural Mesothelioma. The membranes that form the sacs, known as the mesothelium, secrete a fluid that allows the lungs to expand and contract during breathing. Tiny, sharp, microscopic fibers from asbestos or asbestos-related materials can be breathed into the lungs where they penetrate the lung walls and find their way into the pleural cavity. In the pleural cavity, these strands of asbestos damage the mesothelium, sometimes destroying it, and potentially cause Mesothelioma. Pleural Mesothelioma accounts for approximately 75% of all cases of Mesothelioma.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Peritoneal Mesothelioma refers to the asbestos-caused cancer that affects the peritoneum, the thin membrane that surrounds the parts of the gastrointestinal tract (stomach, intestines and other digestive organs) to provide lubrication so that they can move and function properly. When asbestos or asbestos-related material swallowed the tiny fibers enter the stomach penetrate the lining of the stomach. When the fibers penetrate the stomach wall and move into the lining of the peritoneum, they move into the inner lining and begin to mutate into cancerous cells. These cancer cells can overpower the normal healthy cells and become mesothelioma (cancer of the mesothelium). They can become tumors that prevent the stomach and intestines from working properly. Also, the stomach will be unable to continue making the protective lining that helps it to function. For the stomach and intestines to work and digest the food, they must be able to move about in the peritoneum and the mesothelioma prevents this. Peritoneal Mesothelioma is the second most common of the three variations.

Pericardial Mesothelioma

Pericardial Mesothelioma mainly affects the mesothelium of the pericardium (the sac surrounding the heart). Exposure to asbestos or asbestos-related materials that have been inhaled, make their way through the lungs and to the area of the heart where they enter the mesothelium around the heart. The heart must be able to move to function properly and the ease of movement of the heart is due to the constant lubrication in the membrane surrounding the heart. The lubrication of the thin layer of mucus comes from the mesothelium. Asbestos fibers that have been inhaled can pierce and damage the sac surrounding the heart and cause mesothelioma. The cancer can spread and tumors can grow as well that destroy the tissues of the heart’s mesothelium. Pericardial Mesothelioma accounts for about 5% of all cases and the rarest of all of the Mesothelioma types.


Three Variations of Mesothelioma
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Mesothelioma Symptoms: An Introduction

Mesothelioma is a deadly and rare form of cancer that has developed from exposure to asbestos. The inhaling of the highly toxic asbestos is the major cause of mesothelioma. The ingested particles of asbestos develop the cancerous or malignant cells in the mesothelium. Mesothelium is the cell structure that covers and surrounds various internal organs. Mesothelioma develops abnormal proliferation of the malignant cells in organs such as the heart, lungs, and abdomen.

Mesothelioma is classified into three forms: Pleural Mesothelioma, Peritoneal Mesothelioma, and Pericardial Mesothelioma. Pleura are the membrane structure which covers the lungs and lines the wall of the chest cavity. Most of the organs in the abdominal cavity are covered by the peritoneum. Pericardial mesothelioma starts from the cavity which surrounds the heart.

Mesothelioma starts in tiny lumps in the membrane of pleura. This may not be shown on the scans or x-rays until they are developed and largely grown. It is developed mainly in people who inhale asbestos particles, which are considered to be the major cause for this disease. The symptoms may not appear until 30 to 50 years after exposing oneself to the asbestos particles.

In the case of pleural mesothelioma, the shortness of breath and the chest pain due to the accumulated fluid in the pleura are considered to be the major symptoms. Continuous cough and hoarse voice are also noted as other major symptoms in the pleural mesothelioma. Abdominal pain, loss of weight and swelling in the abdominal region due to a buildup of fluid are the symptoms in peritoneal mesothelioma.

Symptoms like bowel obstruction, abnormality in the blood clotting, fever and anemia are few of the peritoneal symptoms. Pain, trouble swallowing or swelling of the neck or face is the common symptom that is found when the cancer spreads beyond the mesothelium to other organs in the body. The symptoms of the pericardial mesothelioma are persistent coughing, palpitations, and shortness of breath and chest pain. It is very important to see a doctor for the further immediate diagnosis when these symptoms occur.

Mesothelioma Litigation provides detailed information on History of Mesothelioma Litigation, Mesothelioma Diagnosis: A Guide, Mesothelioma Laws, Mesothelioma Lawyers: A Guide and more. Mesothelioma Litigation is affiliated with California Contractor License Bond.
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Peritoneal Mesothelioma Overview

The peritonium is a membrane that lines the abdominal area of our body. When mesothelioma affects the peritonium, it is known as peritoneal mesothelioma. Even within the area of mesothelioma, peritoneal cases are considered unusual with only about thirty percent of all cases being peritoneal mesothelioma. Even so, it is the second most common case of this rare type of cancer. It is thought that patients suffering from this variety of mesothelioma have been exposed to asbestos at some point in the past..

How long an exposure to asbestos to get mesothelioma is not known. Symptoms of this cancer mostly deal with the abdominal area such as lumps, swelling and pain. Almost all patients suffering from peritoneal mesothelioma will lose their lives to it in the end.

A cure has not been found and efforts are mostly made in the region of lengthening life expectancy. It is thought that asbestos fibers are transported to the peritonium where they begin to affect the cells of the peritonium membrane. With the fibers lodged, the membrane itself begins to thicken.

Fluid begins to build up in the abdomen. Treatments involve cytoreductive surgery along with the draining of excess fluid in the abdomen area. This is then combined with chemotherapy and radiation if the situation warrants it.

The radiation and chemotherapy is used to quickly kill the dividing cells. Intraperitoneal chemotherapy is also an option where the chemicals are delivered directly into the peritonium.

Unfortunately, the cast majority of instances see the patients too far ahead in the spread of mesothelioma for surgery or chemotherapy to have an affect. Inproving the patients quality of life is concentrated on in cases where the peritoneal mesothelioma is in advanced stages.

Shan Durai has a website on Peritoneal Mesothelioma that offers free information on areas such as pleural, peritoneal and pericardial Mesothelioma as well as Asbestos Mesothlioma Lawsuits, highlighting treatment facilities, doctors and treatment methods.

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