Mesothelioma Symptoms
Mesothelioma cancer affects the serous membranes that surround the major organs in the midsection of the body. Different organs can be affected by mesothelioma because the serous membranes surround the lungs, heart, abdomen and others. The most common type of mesothelioma is that which affects the lung lining, and is called pleural mesothelioma. Other types are pericardial mesothelioma, which affects the lining of the heart,
Diagnosis
Diagnosis: When considering a diagnosis of asbestosis, your doctor will probably inquire as to your exposure to asbestos. He-she may also ask whether any fellow employees have been affected by the disease....Mesothelioma Diagnosis
Treatment
Treatment: The affects of asbestosis cannot be reversed but progression can be halted and symptoms treated. Above all us, further exposure to the toxic material should be eliminated. If you smoke, it’s necessary to stop immediately.....Mesothelioma Treatment
Pleural Mesothelioma: Pleural mesothelioma represents about 75% of all mesothelioma. The disease can grow quickly and enlarge the pleural space, causing it to fill with fluid. This fluid leads to the discomfort or pain associated with first detection of the disease. It is thought that pleural mesothelioma is caused by the inhaling of fibrous materials, including asbestos. These fibers lodge in the pleura and, over time, cause damage to the tissue layer and cancer erupts. Learn more about pleural mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma Peritoneum [Peritoneal Mesothelioma]
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Peritoneal mesothelioma is a disease that affects the lining of the abdomen, or peritoneum. Sometimes doctors refer to this disease as mesothelioma of the peritoneum. It is a common misconception that mesothelioma is a type of primary lung cancer; it is not. Mesothelioma is a cancer of the serous membranes. These membranes enclose a number of organs throughout the midsection of the body, including the abdomen. The most common type of mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma, which affects the serous membranes of the lungs.
The second most common form of mesothelioma cancer is peritoneal mesothelioma. Peritoneal mesothelioma can spread to the lungs and when this occurs, it is considered secondary lung cancer. Mesothelioma is also sometimes referred to as an asbestos lung cancer. Technically, this is also incorrect, since it does not originate in the lungs. Asbestosis is a type of asbestos lung disease that does originate in the lungs and is often confused with mesothelioma. >>>Pleural Mesothelioma | Pericardial Mesothelioma | Peritoneal Mesothelioma<<<
Mesothelioma 
Type of Lung Cancer
Peritoneal Mesothelioma Cancer
Peritoneal mesothelioma cancer is found in 10% to 20% of the mesothelioma patients. The only known cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. For pleural mesothelioma [cancer of the lung lining], the disease process is fairly well understood. It is caused by the inhalation of asbestos fibers that settle in the lungs. These asbestos fibers become inserted in the lung lining [or pleura]. Asbestos fibers are very durable and cannot be eliminated through the body's processes. Over time, they cause chronic inflammation that eventually leads to growth of cancerous tumors or in some cases asbestosis.
For peritoneal mesothelioma, it is not clearly understood how the asbestos fibers become lodged in the abdomen's peritoneum lining. It is possible that asbestos fibers, after being broken into smaller pieces in the lungs, are carried from the lungs into the blood stream, and lodge from the blood stream in the abdomen lining.
A more probable cause is that asbestos fibers were ingested with food or drink. Most asbestos mining or processing facilities had constant clouds of asbestos fibers. These fibers could have settled on the food of the workers. Also, it is well established that many of the workers' clothing became infiltrated with asbestos dust. This dust could have contaminated the kitchens of the workers as they arrived home with the dirty clothing. Once lodged in the peritoneum, the chronic inflammation process leading to cancerous growths is similar to that occurring in pleural mesothelioma.
Pleural Mesothelioma Peritoneal
Mesothelioma of the Testicles
A rare form of peritoneal mesothelioma affects the male testicles. The covering layer of the scrotum is actually an out pouching of the peritoneum. It is thought that the asbestos fibers migrate from the stomach area to become lodged in the portion of the peritoneum surrounding the scrotum.
Pericardial Mesothelioma Pericardial
Peritoneal Mesothelioma Symptoms
Once the cancerous tumors start to grow in the peritoneum, fluid begins to rapidly accumulate in the abdominal area. This fluid causes swelling and discomfort and leads to the first common symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma: upper abdominal pain. Less common symptoms include cough and shortness of breath. Many patients have symptoms four to six months before diagnosis.
Peritoneal mesothelioma patients can exhibit all three kinds of mesothelioma cancer cells: epithelioid mesothelioma, sarcomata mesothelioma and biphasic mesothelioma. The type of cancer cells can affect the prognosis. It is thought that patients with biphasic mesothelioma cancer cells have a shorter life expectancy, than that for epithelioid or sarcomata.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma Pleural