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, and peritoneal mesothelioma, affecting the lining of the abdomen.
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
Peritoneal Mesothelioma: Mesothelioma of the abdomen is called peritoneal mesothelioma. The serous membrane surrounding the abdomen is known as the peritoneum. This disease accounts for approximately 10% to 20% of mesothelioma cases. In addition, a rare form of peritoneal mesothelioma affects the male testicles. The covering layer of the scrotum is actually an out pouching of the peritoneum. Peritoneal mesothelioma is due to the ingestion of fibrous materials, including asbestos. Learn more about peritoneal mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma Peritoneum [Pleural Mesothelioma]
Pleural Mesothelioma:
Pleural mesothelioma is a disease that affects the lining of the lungs, or lung pleura. Sometimes doctors refer to this disease as mesothelioma of the pleura. 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 lungs. The most common type of mesothelioma, pleural mesothelioma, affects the serous membranes of the lungs.
Mesothelioma can also affect the serous membranes surrounding the abdomen, called peritoneal mesothelioma, and the membranes surrounding the heart, or pericardial mesothelioma. When mesothelioma spreads to the lungs from the serous linings of the lungs, abdomen or heart, it is considered secondary lung cancer. Also, pleural mesothelioma is sometimes referred to as an asbestos lung cancer. Technically, cancers that do not originate in the lungs are not considered lung cancer; thus, terms such as secondary lung cancer and asbestos lung cancer [pleural mesothelioma] are misleading. 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
Pleural Mesothelioma Cancer
Pleural mesothelioma cancer represents about 75 percent of all mesothelioma cases. This disease is caused by the inhalation of asbestos fibers, which then settle in the lungs. These asbestos fibers become imbedded in the lining of the lung [the pleura]. Over time, they cause chronic inflammation that eventually leads to growth of cancerous tumors or, in some cases, asbestosis.
Pleural mesothelioma cancer normally appears as multiple tumor masses affecting the parietal surface [inside: closer to the lung] and visceral surface [outside: further from the lung] of the pleura. Typically, the parietal surface has greater involvement than the visceral. There is a slightly higher incidence of mesothelioma in the right lung, apparently due to the fact that the right lung is larger and has a greater amount of pleural surface area. Also, the lower lungs typically show more tumor masses than the upper lung. This is thought to be due to gravitational factors influencing how the asbestos fibers settle in the lungs after they have been inhaled.
Pleural Mesothelioma Peritoneal
Large growths in the pleura are normally noted in patients upon diagnosis. As the diseases progresses, these growths lead to a complete obliteration of the lung cavity. The tumors can spread from the lung pleura to other organs, including the heart and abdomen. Mesothelioma can also invade the lymph nodes and circulatory system.
Tumors unrelated to pleural mesothelioma also grow in the pleura. These tumors start in other parts of the body and metastasize to the pleura. The most common form of non-pleural mesothelioma cancer that occurs is lung cancer, representing about 36 percent of the cancer occurring in the pleura. The next most common forms are breast cancer [25 percent], ovarian cancer [5 percent] and gastric cancer [2 percent]. Lymphoma also accounts for a small portion of cancers that metastasize to the pleura.
Pericardial Mesothelioma Pericardial
Pleural Mesothelioma Symptoms
The most common symptom for pleural mesothelioma patients is chest pain. But, the pain often is not associated directly with the lung pleura and often appears in the shoulder or upper abdomen. Shortness of breath, called dyspnea, is also a symptom. Cough, weight loss and anorexia are present in some patients, but are less common. Finally, the rapid growth of the pleural mesothelioma cancer tumors enlarges the pleural space, causing it to fill with fluid, which leads to the discomfort or pain associated with first detection of the disease. Pleural mesothelioma patients display all three types of mesothelioma cancer cells: epithelioid mesothelioma, sarcomata mesothelioma and biphasic mesothelioma.
Pleural Mesothelioma Prognosis
In a study involving 167 patients with proven pleural mesothelioma, the median survival rate of patients following diagnosis was 242 days. The survival rate was also affected by the type of mesothelioma cancer cells; patients with biphasic cell types have the shortest life expectancy.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma Pleural