Malignant Mesothelioma

Malignant mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the lining around the lungs, heart, and abdominal cavities. Malignant mesothelioma is caused by chronic exposure to asbestos or asbestos related products. Asbestos exposure can result directly through a work environment, or indirectly by inhalation of residual asbestos particles remaining on clothing or building materials. Studies show that asbestos exposure of as little as one year can cause a variety of asbestos related illnesses, including malignant mesothelioma cancer.

Malignant Mesothelioma Symptoms

Malignant mesothelioma symptoms may not occur until many years after asbestos exposure. Oftentimes, mesothelioma patients are diagnosed with the disease as many as 50 years after being exposed to asbestos.

Common mesothelioma symptoms can include general difficulty in breathing (dyspnea), pain in the chest, or both. Other signs of the disease include hoarseness, difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) or coughing up blood (hemoptysis). Symptoms typical of all types of mesothelioma cancer include loss of appetite, nausea and weight loss. Those experiencing these symptoms are encouraged to seek medical help immediately.

Diagnosis of Malignant Mesothelioma Cancer

A mesothelioma diagnosis is made only after a complete medical examination. A patient may be asked to provide fluid and tissue samples, sometimes through biopsy surgery. Imaging is also a common part of the diagnostic process. Imaging tests include x rays, CT scans, MRI scans, and positron emission tomography or PET. Doctors use both sampling and imaging techniques to make the mesothelioma diagnosis process easier and to help distinguish malignant mesothelioma cancer from other diseases such as asbestos lung cancer and asbestosis.

Types of Malignant Mesothelioma Cancer

Malignant mesothelioma cancer is divided into three main categories depending on which part of the body it attacks: peritoneal mesothelioma (peritoneum), pleural mesothelioma (lining of the lungs), and pericardial mesothelioma (lining of the heart).

Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is one of the three histological classifications of mesothelioma that are grouped according to how the cells look under the microscope. The other two are epithelioid mesothelioma and biphasic mesothelioma. About 50% to 70% of mesothelioma occurrences are of the epithelioid mesothelioma type, 7% to 20% of the sarcomatoid mesothelioma type and about 20% to 35% of the biphasic mesothelioma type.

Asbestosis: Another Fatal Disease Caused by Asbestos Exposure

Asbestosis is a breathing disorder caused by inhaling asbestos fibers. Prolonged accumulation of these fibers in the lungs can lead to scarring of lung tissue and diminished breathing capacity. Signs and symptoms of asbestosis usually do not appear until years after exposure. But once apparent, the condition often worsens and can lead to disability and even death.