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Malignant mesothelioma
is a cancerous tumor of the pleura or peritoneum that is almost
always caused by sustained revelation to asbestos.
What is Mesothelioma?
The National Cancer Institute states that: Malignant mesothelioma,
a rare form of cancer, is a ailment in which cancer cells are
found in the sac facing the chest, the lining of the abdominal
crater or the lining around the heart .
What is peritoneal mesothelioma?
Peritoneal mesothelioma is a malignancy of the lining of the
abdominal cavity. This form of cancer makes up approximately
one-fifth to one-third of the total number of mesothelioma cases
diagnosed.
How do you get Mesothelioma?
Most people with malignant mesothelioma have worked on jobs
where they breathed asbestos. Others have been showing to asbestos
in a household environment, often without knowing it. More about
the different ways in which people have been exposed to asbestos.
How much exposure does it take to get the disease?
An revelation of as little as one or two months can result in
mesothelioma 30 or 40 years later. Mesothelioma cause.
How long does it take after exposure for the disease
to show up?
People showing in the 1940s, 50s, 60s, and 70s are now being
diagnosed with mesothelioma because of the long latency period
of asbestos disease.
What is the prognosis for mesothelioma?
Like most cancers, the prognosis for this disease often depends
on how early it is diagnosed and how aggressively it is treated.
Is there any promising research or are there promising
drugs for mesothelioma?
Research is being conducted at a variety of cancer centers all
over the United States as well as by pharmaceutical companies.
To find more about these studies, click on Clinical Trials.
To read abstracts of the latest periodical articles on mesothelioma
research and to access these articles, click on Medical Journal
Articles; or Mesothelioma News for news articles. A recent study
of Alimta showed patients living much longer with Alitma than
other chemotherapy drugs.
Where can I find information on living with mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma Aid is a good website for resource for families
dealing with mesothelioma. It includes advice and referrals
to other resources for coping with cancer, caregiving, pecuniary
challenges, and support groups. Alternatively, contact us here
at Mesothelioma Web for help finding resouces for living with
this disease.
Treatment
When found in the early hours, surgery may cure mesothelioma.
Having chemotherapy and emission before the surgery may help
increase your chance for a cure.
When the disease is too advanced for surgery, chemotherapy or
radiation may be used to reduce symptoms, but a cure is typically
not possible.
Combining certain chemotherapy drugs may help diminish symptoms
and improve endurance.
Consider participating in a clinical trial, which may give you
extra treatment options.
Supportive treatment may also help to reduce symptoms.
A layer of particular cells called mesothelial cells lines the
chest cavity, abdominal cavity, and the cavity around your heart.
These cells also cover the outer exterior of most of your internal
organs. The tissue shaped by these cells is called mesothelium.
The mesothelium helps look after your organs by producing a
special lubricating fluid that allows organs to move around.
This fluid makes it easier for the lungs to move inside the
chest during breathing. The mesothelium of the chest is called
the pleura and the mesothelium of the abdomen is known as the
peritoneum. The mesothelium of the sac-like space roughly the
heart is called the pericardium.
Tumors of the mesothelium can be non-cancerous or cancerous.
A malignant tumor of the mesothelium is called a malignant mesothelioma;
however, malignant mesothelioma is often merely called mesothelioma.
Malignant mesotheliomas are divided into 3 main types:
• epithelioid -- this type has the best outlook for survival
(prognosis)
• sarcomatoid (7% to 20% are of this type)
• mixed/biphasic (20% to 35% are of this type)
Treatment options are the same for all 3 types.
About 75% of mesotheliomas start in the chest hollow space.
They are known as pleural mesotheliomas. Another 10% to 20%
begin in the abdomen. These are called peritoneal mesotheliomas.
Pericardial mesotheliomas start in the hollow space around the
heart and are very rare. The covering layer of the testicles
is in reality an outpouching of peritoneum into the scrotum.
The mesothelium of confident female and male reproductive organs
may increase a type of caring tumor called an adenomatoid tumor.
In men, this non-cancerous tumor often starts in the epididymis.
In women, this tumor may commence in the fallopian tubes. Another
non-cancerous tumor that may begin in mesothelium near female
reproductive organs is called benign cystic mesothelioma.
A type of caring tumor that used to be called benign fibrous
mesothelioma can form in the pleura surrounding the lungs. For
this motivation, the new name of this tumor is solitary fibrous
tumor of the pleura. This disease is regularly not cancerous,
but cancerous forms can occur. A comparable disease starting
in the peritoneum is called solitary fibrous tumor of the peritoneum.
The tumors described in this paragraph are regularly removed
by surgery, and there is no need for extra treatment. Only malignant
mesothelioma will be discussed extra in this document.
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