1. Getting Familiar With Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the tissues lining the heart, or the pericardium, in the lining of the abdomen, or the peritoneum, or around the lungs, or the pleura. The three types of mesothelioma are known as percardial, pertoneal and pleural, depending on location. Mesothelioma is almost always an asbestos-related cancer, the most common form affecting the lungs. Contrary to common belief, pleural mesothelioma is not technically lung cancer, a term which is only used to refer to malignancy within the lung itself and not in the pleura.
2. Deciphering Cell Types
If you are diagnosed with mesothelioma, your doctor or medical records will most likely refer to the cell type of malignant tumor. Cell type is used to indicate the form of tissue in which the cancer first began to develop. For example, "sarcomatous" malignant mesothelioma refers to cancer that began in the connective tissues. while "epithelial" is used to describe malignant mesothelioma that began in the epithelial tissues, or membranes which surround the lungs, heart and abdomen. Other cell types include biphasic, beginning in more than one tissue, lymphohistiocytoid beginning in the lymphatic system and desmoplastic, which begins in fibrous tissues.
3. Holding the Heart
Pericardial mesothelioma affects the pericardium, the fluid-filled sac that holds the heart. Symptoms of this form of mesothelioma include shortness of breath and chest pain, as the tumor or excess fluid accumulation in the pericardium places pressure on the heart muscle itself. When excessive fluid builds around the heart, called effusion, your doctor may drain some of the fluid both to relieve the painful symptoms and to diagnose the condition. This procedure is known as pericardiocentesis.
4. When It's In the Abdomen
When mesothelioma occurs in the abdominal lining, it is known as peritoneal mesothelioma. The most common symptoms of this form of cancer include weight loss, nausea and vomiting, stomach pain, hernia, the excess buildup of fluids or mass in the abdomen. Again, in patients in which a large amount of fluid builds up, the doctor may perform an effusion to test the fluid and help reduce symptoms, a procedure known as paracentesis.
5. The Most Common Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma occuring is the most common form of mesothelioma. Symptoms may include chest pain and shortness of breath, pain in the upper back and rib cage, hoarseness, fluid buildup in the pleura, coughing blood, swollen arms and face, weakness and even paralysis or complete sensory failure. Pleural mesothelioma is most commonly benign and does not spread to other parts of the body; however, occasionally it is malignant, in which it spreads quickly to other organs and tissues of the body.
