Types of Mesothelmeoma
It is easy to think of mesothelmeoma as one distinct disease, and much of the time it is simpler to indicate it as such. However, there are actually several different types of mesotheliama; each one of which has different symptoms, is diagnosed differently and may have different treatment options Because mesotheliama often doesn’t manifest itself until many years after a person has been affected, it’s also easy to misdiagnose the disease and as a result, not treat it adequately. Mesothelmeoma can also be diagnosed when there are no obvious symptoms.
Mesothelmeoma is also classified as either benign or malignant, although nearly all cases are malignant, meaning that the tumor has the potential to expand and affect other parts of the body. The cells are divided into three main types – epithelioid, sarcomatoid and biphasic, which is a combination of the two. Epithelioid cells are found most commonly in cases of mesothelmeoma; fortunately, these types of cells also tend to be the most susceptible to treatment.
Although the different types of mesothelmeoma do have some unique characteristics and symptoms, they also share some common symptoms. Common to all three types of mesothelmeoma are general fatigue, fever and frequently an unexplained weight loss. As previously mentioned, it can often be difficult to diagnose mesothelmeoma correctly and in a timely manner; peritoneal mesothelmeoma in particular, is often “accidentally” diagnosed during a routine X-ray or other examination.
The three main types of mesothelmeoma are known as pleural, peritoneal and pericardial mesothelmeoma. The most common type is pleural mesothelmeoma, a cancer that affects the membrane, or pleura, found between the chest cavity and the lungs. Most cases of pleural mesothelmeoma develop in the sac that contains the lungs. Pleural mesothelmeoma accounts for around 75% of all cases, although the symptoms tend to be similar to other diseases such as viral pneumonia and lung cancer.
Peritoneal mesothelmeoma, also known as cancer of the peritoneum, is a cancer that affects the abdominal lining. This is the second most common type of mesothelmeoma and accounts for somewhere between 10 and 20% of all cases. Peritoneal mesothelmeoma is caused by ingesting tiny fibers of asbestos; these carcinogenic fibers then become stuck in the mucous which lines the esophagus and mouth. Fibers can also become lodged in the digestive system, turning into a tumor.
Pericardial mesothelmeoma is cancer of the sac that contains the heart, or pericardium. This type of mesothelmeoma is rare and tends to affect those mostly aged in their 40s to 70s. It also tends to affect men rather than women – of all the documented cases, around 70% are men. Symptoms of this type of mesothelmeoma include fluid build-up, difficulty breathing, chest pain and perhaps most significantly a chronic heart beat. Pericardial mesothelmeoma is often associated with long term exposure to asbestos – those who have spent most of their working lives around asbestos are most at risk.
An extremely rare type of mesothelmeoma – so rare it is estimated that only around 100 cases have ever been recorded – is known as mesothelmeoma of the tunica vaginalis testis. Despite its rather misleading name, it affects only men, generally in their 50s or older and affects the lining of the testes. Symptoms of this rare disease include a hernia and a fluid filled sac attached to the testicle; treatment for this type of mesothelmeoma usually involves surgery on the testis.
The type of mesothelmeoma that you are diagnosed with will have a bearing on the type of treatment that may be open to you. Regardless of which type of mesothelmeoma a person may have, the disease can be devastating and affect not only the patient, but also his or her family. Most cases of mesothelmeoma can be treated with surgery or chemotherapy; a combination of the two is sometimes recommended, depending on the location and size of the tumor.
Because symptoms don’t appear until many years after exposure, you may not even know that you have mesothelmeoma until years after the exposure has taken place. Always seek qualified medical assistance at once; you may also need the services of an attorney to advise you on the possibility of a lawsuit.
