Mesothelioma

“Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that begins in the lining of the internal organs of the body. Approximately three-fourths of cases of mesothelioma begin in the lining surrounding the lungs (called pleural mesothelioma). Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer in which malignant (cancerous) cells are found in the mesothelium, a protective sac that covers most of the body's internal organs. Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles.”

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is almost always caused by previous exposure to asbestos. In this disease, malignant cell develop in the mesothelium, a protective lining that covers most of the body's internal organs. Its most common site is the pleura (outer lining of the lungs and internal chest wall), but it may also occur in the peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity), the heart,the pericardium (a sac that surrounds the heart) ortunica vaginalis.

Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles, or they have been exposed to asbestos dust and fiber in other ways. Washing the clothes of a family member who worked with asbestos can also put a person at risk for developing mesothelioma.Unlike lung cancer, there is no association between mesothelioma and smoking.

The symptoms of mesothelioma include

· shortness of breath

· pleural effusion

· chest wall pain

· and general symptoms such as weight loss.

· The diagnosis may be suspected with chest X-ray

· CT Scan

· biopsy (tissue sample)

· Microscopic examination examination

· A thoracoscopy (inserting a tube with a camera into the chest)

Despite treatment with

· Chemotherapy

· Radiation Therapy

· Surgery

the disease carries a poor prognosis. Research about screening test for the early detection of mesothelioma is ongoing.

There are three main types of mesothelioma:

· Epithelial type. 50% to 70% of people diagnosed with mesothelioma. It has the best prognosis (chance of recovery) due to its slower growth, and this type is more likely to respond to treatment.

· Sarcoma type. 7% to 20% of people diagnosed with mesothelioma and has a worse prognosis.

· Mixed type. 20% to 35% of people diagnosed with mesothelioma and contains both epithelial and sarcomatous types. This type of mesothelioma has an intermediate prognosis.

Statistics

However, cancer survival statistics should be interpreted with caution. These estimates are based on data from thousands of cases of this type of cancer in the United States each year, but the actual risk for a particular individual may differ. It is not possible to tell a person how long he or she will live with mesothelioma. Because the survival statistics are measured in five-year (or sometimes one-year) intervals, they may not represent advances made in the treatment or diagnosis of this cancer.

Source: American Cancer Society, Cancer net, Wikipedia, Picture: www.Mesotheliomamedical.org