Mesothelioma Tips

Benign Mesothelioma Information

Mesothelioma is also known as fibrous or multicystic mesothelioma and is categorized as a non-cancerous tumor that inside the pleura, the lining around and in the lungs. Benign mesothelioma is not related to asbestos cancer. The pleura are composed of cells known as mesothelial cells, which prevent the lungs and other organs from rubbing together by secreting a liquid substance. With benign mesothelioma, there is no pleura effusion production. It develops in the lungs more frequently than in the stomach, reproductive tissues, and heart and occurs more in men than it occurs in women it. The most important difference between the cancerous form of mesothelioma and the benign form is that with the benign form, tumors do not spread to the other tissues in the body.
Both the benign and malignant tumors are a result of asbestos exposure. This happens when airborne asbestos fibers travel and reach the linings of the lungs and while there cause cell damage in the lining resulting in abnormal cell growth.
Who is at Risk?
• Workers in occupations where asbestos is used or produced
• Exposure to fertilizers and pesticides that contain vermiculite
• drinking of contaminated water
• Living with a person who brings asbestos home on their clothing

At least 50% of those affected with benign mesothelioma do not even know they have it and is usually made aware of the disease through things such as X-rays. Those who do have symptoms can experience;
• Chronic coughing
• Chest pain
• Fever
• The most common symptom, clubbed fingers.
In Papillary mesothelioma other areas not affected by most forms of mesothelioma are sometimes affected here. This includes areas such as the membrane covering the sides and front of the epidedymis and testicles in men and the ovaries in women.

Mesothelioma Facts by Diane Quin

Mesothelioma is a malignant disease that grows on the sac lining of internal body cavities, known as the mesothelium. The mesothelium is composed of two membranes—one that protects most internal organs of the body, and the other which forms a sac around that layer.

There are different types of mesothelioma, which are named for the tissue where the tumors originated. Pleural mesothelioma appears in the chest—in the pleura (outer lining) that surrounds the lungs and lining of the chest cavity. Peritonal mesothelioma starts in the lining of most organs in the abdominal cavity.

Mesothelioma, which is cancer of the mesothelium, is a malignant disease causing cells of the mesothelium to become abnormal and uncontrollably divide. As with other types of cancers, these malignant cells may cause damage to nearby tissues and organs. These cells may also metastasize (spread) to other parts of the body.

These mesothelioma facts may help you to gain further understanding of the disease:

1. Working with asbestos is a risk factor for mesothelioma. Once widely used in industrial products including roof shingles, flooring products, textiles, and insulation, asbestos exposure is an unfortunate circumstance of many job conditions if it is inhaled.

2. According to the National Cancer Institute, mesothelioma is relatively rare, with 2,000 cases diagnosed in the United States.

3. Symptoms include shortness of breath, a dry cough, fever, abdominal swelling, and pain under the rib cage. These may be treated with surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.

Mesothelioma Cancers

Mesothelioma cancers occur when the lining of the lungs, heart or abdomen are affected by asbestos. This cancer can only be malignant or benign. However, if a benign form of mesothelioma occurs, one can still become very sick. If benign it can be localized but if malignant, it will diffusely spread.
It is important to point out that malignant mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer. The victims are those who are exposed on a consistent basis to vast amounts of asbestos. It develops when the protective lining that covers the body’s internal organs are exposed by asbestos. It typically results in a tumor in either the chest or abdomen and is typically caused by the ingestion of asbestos particles.
Even though meothelioma is rare it is almost always fatal. This is because of the extreme negative impact it has on the lining around the lungs and inside of the ribs in the section referred to as the pleura. It also affects the peritoneum of the body which is around the abdominal organs. Asbestos should be avoided on all levels.

Mesothelioma Staging

Mesothelioma staging strives to find out how far the cancer has spread. With the use of x-rays and MRI scans, this is an accurate way to see what stage the cancer is on.
Stage one is where mesothelioma is on one side of the chest and isn’t growing into the chest wall. It will either be on the right or left side of the chest and spread to a few small spots in the outer lining of the lung. Stage two is when mesothelioma makes its way into the chest wall and has grown into the pleura on the other side of the chest.
For stage three, mesothelioma has grown through the diaphragm into the lining of the abdominal cavity. This is where it spreads to lymph nodes past the chest. Stage four is the worst stage for mesothelioma as it can spread into numerous locations. It can spread into the chest wall, through the diaphragm, into any organ in the mediastinum, the spine, to the other side of the chest from where it was, the heart, nerves leading to the arm, lymph nodes and organs through the bloodstream.

Mesothelioma Cancer Treatment: Surgery

The next step after receiving a diagnosis of mesothelioma cancer is to decide on a treatment plan. The mesothelioma cancer treatment chosen will depend on the stage of the cancer, the area affected, and the overall health of the patient. Normally during early stages of the cancer development surgery is the chosen treatment. The intent of performing mesothelioma surgery on a patient is to remove most, if not all of the disease. To eliminate the remaining microscopic disease particles in the body, chemotherapy or radiation are used.

Since there are many forms of mesothelioma, different versions of surgery are available. With Pleural Mesothelioma, a patient could receive pleurectomy/decortication, which is most effective during stage I and sometimes in stage II. This surgery eliminates tumors on the lungs. A more radical surgical approach is extrapleural pneumonectomy. Specialists perform this surgery only after careful review of the patient’s history. Since previous surgery methods did not work, Doctors recommend additional therapies following the surgery to increase its effectiveness. Cytoreductive Surgery is an option if a patient is diagnosed with Peritoneal Mesothelioma. The purpose of this surgery is to eliminate the majority of the tumor in the peritoneal cavity. Following the surgery, the doctor will administer Intra-Peritoneal Hyperthermic Chemotherapy to the patient.