Types of Malignant Mesothelioma - Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Types of Malignant Mesothelioma

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There are three distinct types of mesothelioma:

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is the most common type of malignant mesothelioma, accounting for an approximate 75% of all malignant mesothelioma cases. Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the mesothelial tissue lining of the lung cavity. Also called diffuse malignant mesothelioma, pleural mesothelioma is often confused with asbestos lung cancer. Asbestos lung cancer is a cancer of the lung tissue itself, while pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the tissue surrounding the lung. Fibrous mesothelioma was once thought to be a benign tumor-type closely associated with pleural mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is by nature malignant and cannot be found in a benign form; therefore, 'benign fibrous mesothelioma' is an inaccurate label. The most common presenting symptom of pleural mesothelioma is the chronic chest pain that results from a buildup of fluid inside the pleural space (called pleural effusion). This buildup can be viewed using a CT scan or x-ray, but is often misdiagnosed as viral pneumonia. Other notable symptoms associated with pleural mesothelioma include:

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Peritoneal mesothelioma is the second most common type of malignant mesothelioma, accounting for an approximate 10% to 20% of all malignant mesothelioma cases. Peritoneal mesothelioma is a cancer of the mesothelial tissue lining of the abdominal cavity. The disease is often caused as a result of asbestos fiber ingestion. Peritoneal mesothelioma is often confused with a variety of other bowel disorders. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma can include:

Pericardial Mesothelioma

Pericardial mesothelioma is the least common type of malignant mesothelioma, accounting for less than 10% of all malignant mesothelioma cases. Pericardial mesothelioma is a cancer of the heart sac, causing cancerous growths to develop on the tissue that surrounds the body's most vital organ. Pericardial mesothelioma can often spread to the lungs, causing a secondary lung cancer to develop in addition to the cancer of the pericardium. Symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma can include:

Mesothelioma Info

Malignant mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is caused by asbestos exposure. The inner organs of the body are cased within a protective tissue lining called the serous membrane. A part of the serous membrane, the mesothelium cases three of the body's largest cavities: the lung cavity (pleura), the abdominal cavity (peritoneum) and the heart sac (pericardium).

Asbestos exposure is the only known cause of malignant mesothelioma; however, exposure to the harmful carcinogenic mineral can lead to a variety of other diseases, some of which include:

Malignant mesothelioma and asbestos lung cancer are the only two asbestos-related diseases that can cause death directly. Asbestosis can cause a significant decrease in total lung capacity that can, in extreme cases, lead to heart failure. Asbestosis sufferers also face an increased risk of developing one of the more serious types of asbestos disease.

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