What Is Mesothelioma Cancer?

What Is Mesothelioma Cancer?

Mesothelioma is an aggressive malignant cancer that affects the lining of the membranes of the lungs and stomach. Malignant mesothelioma or malignant mesothelioma is the most serious of all diseases associated with asbestos. Although rare, mesothelioma cancer is no longer considered rare. The main cause and risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. Making a mesothelioma diagnosis correctly is very difficult for doctors because the disease often presents with symptoms that resemble other common diseases. No cure for mesothelioma has yet been found, but treatments such as surgery and chemotherapy have helped to improve the typical prognosis of mesothelioma.

Pleural mesothelioma (affecting the protective lining of the lungs in the chest cavity) represents about three-quarters of all mesothelioma events. While peritoneal mesothelioma that affects the abdominal cavity and pericardial mesothelioma that affect the heart cavity, represents the residual occurrence of mesothelioma. Testicular mesothelioma is very rare and usually looks typical with metastases of various peritoneal.

There are three types of mesothelioma cells that have been recognized. Between 50 and 70% of all mesotheliomas are of the epithelial type. While this prognosis is still considered less aggressive than sarcomatoid mesothelioma and biphasic mesothelioma, which includes residual cell type diagnosis.

The cavity inside the body that covers the chest, abdomen, and heart is surrounded by a cell membrane known as mesothelium. These mesothelial cells assist in the function of common organs. Mesothelium works very important for organs that are generally moving, such as expansion or contraction of the lungs, stomach, or heart. Lubrication of the mesothelial cells allows free space of movement in the body. Mesothelium of the chest, abdomen, and heart cavity is called pleura, peritoneum, and pericardium. Each mesothelial cell grouping is essential for the function of the body structure they cover.

Malignancy (cancerous tumor) occurring within the mesothelial membrane is known as malignant mesothelioma, or simply called mesothelioma. Benign tumors of mesothelium are also known to occur, but less frequently than common malignant cancers generally.

While mesothelium tumors were first known to occur in the late 18th century, up to the mid-20th century, these cancers were studied and examined in more detail. At that time the suspicion of the cancer-causing relationship with asbestos exposure became more provable. A joint research company through the Department of Surgical Toraks at Witswater University and Johannesburg General Hospital in South Africa provides the most compelling evidence of the relationship between asbestos exposure and the development of chest mesothelioma.

The occurrence of mesothelioma is still quite rare, with only 2,500-3000 diagnoses in the United States each year. A surge of diagnosis was reported between 1970 and 1984. This was associated with a high industry level during the previous 40-60 years. Exposure to asbestos is common in almost all industries, but in particular occurs in the military industry of World War II and includes naval shipyards.

Although this cancer is more common in men over the age of 60 (largely due to industrial exposure in male-dominated industries), mesothelioma in women and children has been described as well. The cause of Mesothelioma for diagnosis in women and children is primarily associated with secondary asbestos exposure. Since it is often the case that male workers bring asbestos up into the house through their bodies or clothing if proper cleaning facilities are not available at work.

Mesothelioma is diagnosed through a comprehensive combination of biopsy and shape imaging.
Mesothelioma can be malignant that is difficult to diagnose because of the symptoms and pathology of diseases similar to other respiratory conditions. For this reason, misdiagnosis in mesothelioma patients is very common. Symptoms of mesothelioma include chest pain, chronic cough, effusion of the chest and abdomen, and the presence of blood in the lung fluid.

Diagnostic surgery including a biopsy will usually be necessary to determine the type of malignant cells seen in the body. Normally a body imaging scan, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or topographic computer (CT scan) will be needed to determine the extent and location of the disease.

Mesothelioma patients are generally referred to a prominent mesothelioma doctor in the United States. The oncologist is well versed in disease and pathology behavior and has become accustomed to a wide range of mesothelioma treatment options. Dr. David Sugarbaker of Brigham and Women's Hospital, is a representative of Harvard University and Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, Massachusetts, which is the frontline in mesothelioma treatment through the International Mesothelioma Program.

Because mesothelioma usually requires further diagnosis, there is a wide range of treatment options available.

Mesothelioma is certainly an aggressive disease, but the degree of malignancy can be managed. Although there is no cure for cancer, mesothelioma treatment options including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy are available for many patients. While the combination of Alimta® and Cisplatin is currently the only FDA that approved chemotherapy regimens. Several clinical trials are currently in the process of using other drugs including Gemcitabine and Onconase, with many showing dramatically improved results in certain cancer patients.

Radiation therapy is also used, but usually in conjunction with other treatment methods such as surgery and chemotherapy. Surgical resection of mesothelioma may be possible in the early stages of the patient's diagnosis. Aggressive surgery such as extrapleural pneumonectomy can prolong the patient's survival rate far beyond the previous estimate of time. Diagnostic and palliative surgery such as pleurocentesis and pleurodesis are also common in malignant mesothelioma cancer patients.

Alternative therapy has also been used effectively by many mesothelioma patients to assist in managing symptoms of illness and conventional treatments. This treatment is done in particular but can be very valuable to many patients.

Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos.

Mesothelioma is only caused by exposure to asbestos, although much of the case documentation has occurred in children or others who have no history of asbestos exposure. Asbestos is a microscopic and naturally occurring mineral that settles in the lining of the pleural lungs and the peritoneal lining of the abdominal cavity.

In many cases, people diagnosed with mesothelioma that have been known to be exposed to asbestos may be eligible for financial compensation from asbestos producers for their disease. In some developed countries, those who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and exposed to asbestos can fill out a short form and then get the latest mesothelioma treatment information, active clinical trials, prominent physicians, as well as how to get compensation for asbestos-related health conditions such as mesothelioma.


Source:

National Cancer Institute - Malignant Mesothelioma
(http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/malignantmesothelioma)

Wagner, J.C., Sleggs, C.A., and Marchand, Paul. 'Diffuse Pleural Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure in the North Western Cape Province.' Department of Thoracic Surgery: University of The Witswatersrand. Johannesburg, South Africa. 1960.

Grondin, Sean C., Sugarbaker, David J. 'Pleuropneumonectomy in the Treatment of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma' Chest December 1999 116: suppl 3 450S-454S;

Rusch, Valerie W. 'Indications for pneumoctomy. Extrapleural pneumonectomy '

Roggli VL, Sharma A, Butnor KJ, Sporn T, Vollmer RT (2002). 'Malignant mesothelioma and occupational exposure to asbestos: a clinicopathological correlation of 1445 cases'. Ultrastruct Pathol 26 (2): 55-65.

Brigham and Women's Hospital - International Mesothelioma Program
(http://www.brighamandwomens.org/Departments_and_Services/surgery/services/thoracicsurgery/services/mesothelioma/default.aspx)

http://www.mesothelioma.com/